We recently ordered and received Leah’s birth certificate. I am so thankful that she survived labor and that the state of Illinois acknowledges her life. It means so much to have this slip of paper. As parents to a baby who died so soon after birth, we have had so few chances for normal parent experiences. Filling out a form just like all the other parents and receiving in return a validation of Leah’s life makes us proud. Knowing that her tenacity has been officially recorded, that her presence on this earth has legal standing, provides us with comfort.
My heart breaks for all of the parents of stillborn babies who never have the chance to receive an official acknowledgment of their baby’s existence. All babies who take a breath have a right to a birth certificate, but those who pass away in their mother’s womb or during labor only receive a legal recognition in 25 states. Parents of stillborn babies are often only entitled to a death certificate. If you ever have a chance to sign a petition or to support a law concerning "Certificates of Birth resulting in Stillbirth" please do. This law would give parents the option of requesting a type of birth certificate for their stillborn baby. Since stillbirth is legally defined as the death of a baby later than 20 week gestation, most of the women who experience this must go through labor and give birth to their baby. Their babies are not born alive, but they give birth. Every mother and father deserves to have their baby positively recognized by their state.
My heart breaks for all of the parents of stillborn babies who never have the chance to receive an official acknowledgment of their baby’s existence. All babies who take a breath have a right to a birth certificate, but those who pass away in their mother’s womb or during labor only receive a legal recognition in 25 states. Parents of stillborn babies are often only entitled to a death certificate. If you ever have a chance to sign a petition or to support a law concerning "Certificates of Birth resulting in Stillbirth" please do. This law would give parents the option of requesting a type of birth certificate for their stillborn baby. Since stillbirth is legally defined as the death of a baby later than 20 week gestation, most of the women who experience this must go through labor and give birth to their baby. Their babies are not born alive, but they give birth. Every mother and father deserves to have their baby positively recognized by their state.
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2 comments:
That is so great you got the certificate. That is something that I still have not done and I'm not sure why. But, you have inspired me!
Thank you for posting about the CBRS bill. In New York State, your readers can visit www.CBRSbill.blogspot.com. We are currently fighting for this same piece of legislation.
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