Tag: miscarriage

First Minister confirms Baby Loss Memorial Book to launch in summer

A Memorial Book for those who have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks will be available this summer, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

Along with an entry in the book, those who have experienced a loss will be able to apply for a commemorative certificate which is intended to give recognition and comfort to those who want to record their loss. The service will be free of charge and completely voluntary.

Applications to have an entry included in the book, produced jointly by the Scottish Government and National Records of Scotland, will go live this summer. 

Making the announcement, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The loss of a pregnancy or a baby is always painful. I have spoken in the past about my personal experience of miscarriage, and I know the sense of grief will stay with me and my husband forever.

“I also know that we would have drawn comfort at the time if there had been a way for us to mark the loss and formally recognise the child we were grieving.

“Launching this Memorial Book with the National Records of Scotland will give parents an opportunity – if they wish it – to commemorate their loss with a physical record, and to have their child recognised.

“I am very proud to support the Memorial Book and hope that it will bring comfort to those experiencing the pain of baby loss. I also hope that might also help break the silence and stigma around the loss of a pregnancy or a baby that sadly still exists in our society”.

“We warmly welcome the development of Scotland’s new Memorial Book and optional certificate for those who have experienced a loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy. 

Ruth Bender Atik from the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance said: “Even the earliest of pregnancy losses can be deeply upsetting and the lack of any formal acknowledgement can add to that distress. 

“We believe that for many people, the Memorial Book and certificate will provide great comfort and a validation that these tiny lives mattered.”

  • Applications to record a pre 24 week loss in the Memorial Book will go live following the launch in Summer 2023.
  • There is no statutory requirement to register the loss, and all information given is voluntarily.
  • The loss must have taken place in Scotland, or applicants must reside in Scotland at the time of application.
  • There is no requirement for applicants to submit medical evidence of the loss with the application and historical applications will be welcomed.
  • More than one loss can be recorded by an applicant, with each one requiring a separate application.

“Long Overdue”: Gordon MacDonald MSP backs campaign for paid miscarriage leave

Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald has added his support to the campaign to introduce paid leave for families who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks.

One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, however, under current UK legislation, workers are only entitled to paid bereavement leave following a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

As a result, families across the country are forced to rely on their employer’s good will or sick leave to allow them to grieve their loss.

On 3 December, a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley which would see three days of paid leave for parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks will receive its second reading in the House of Commons.

A petition has been launched calling for the UK Government to support the campaign and MPs from all parties have backed the bill.

Many parents have spoken of the stigma associated with miscarriage and this bill would finally close gap in support.

Some companies have already gone further than the bill proposes and offer paid leave for between seven and 14 days for people who experience a miscarriage at any stage of the pregnancy.

Other countries, including New Zealand, have written similar provisions into law and in September Australia became the latest country to adopt paid miscarriage leave.

Gordon MacDonald MSP said: “I know many parents in Edinburgh Pentlands have experienced miscarriage and too many of them have to rely on their employer’s good will or take sick leave when it happens.

“Miscarriage is no one’s fault yet the stigma associated can often put parents in a position where they are unable to properly grieve their loss.

“Countries like Australia and New Zealand have already taken the progressive step to ensure all parents affected by miscarriage are entitled to paid leave.

“It is time that the UK followed in their footsteps and I fully support this bill to provide the much needed, long overdue support grieving parents need and finally end the stigma associated with miscarriage.”

Angela Crawley MP’s private members’ bill is due to be debated today – Friday 3rd December 2021

The petition can be viewed and signed at https://paidmiscarriageleave.co.uk/