The Scottish Government has opened a memorial book for anyone who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks.
The service is entirely free and optional to parents who may wish to commemorate their loss officially with the National Records of Scotland.
The book has been developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, the royal colleges and baby loss charities.
The Scottish Government has indicated that historical applications are welcome, as well as those that are for more than one bereavement.
An emotional morning launching the baby loss memorial book with @HumzaYousaf and bereaved families. The First Ministers openness to share about his experience gives us hope to progress support for all those affected at any stage of loss and anywhere in Scotland @MiscarriageA https://t.co/2AJDOqLs3W
— Nicola Welsh (@NicolaWelsh2) October 4, 2023
Speaking during the launch of the book at the baby loss charity, Held In Our Hearts, Scottish first minister, Humza Yousaf, said: “The loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy has a profound impact on everyone affected, and the Scottish Government has listened to parents who told us how difficult it was that they often felt that their loss was not recognised.”
Held In Our Hearts’ chief executive, Nicola Welsh, added: “The loss of a much-wanted baby at any stage of pregnancy, can be incredibly painful and isolating. A family are left grieving for a life they wished for and until now, for pre-24 week pregnancy and baby loss, there was no formal way to recognise that these little ones existed.”
She continued: “The memorial book will, for the first time, provide the opportunity for families to have their little ones’ names added to the National Records of Scotland. We hope that by memorialising these little lives in this way, it will provide much needed comfort and recognition to these families.”
The book is only intended for those who have experienced a loss before 24 weeks as all other baby losses are already recognised by other registration processes.
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