Campaigner wins battle for baby-loss certificates

Zoe Clark-Coates MBE has been campaigning for the baby-loss certificates for nine years

A campaigner has won her nine-year battle for more bereaved parents to be able to apply for certificates which recognise the loss of their baby during pregnancy.

The government has removed a previous limitation which meant only those who had experienced a loss since 2018 could apply.

Devon resident Zoe Clark-Coates MBE has campaigned for the certificates for nine years and said she was thrilled everyone could now apply "whether their loss was yesterday or 80 years ago".

A ribbon display at Exeter Quay on Wednesday marked the beginning of Baby Loss Awareness Week.

73 recommendations

Every year, an estimated 250,000 pregnancies in the UK end due to miscarriage before 24 weeks, a loss experienced by about one in five women.

In 2015 Mrs Clark-Coates founded baby-loss charity the Mariposa Trust - now Mariposa International.

The charity launched a campaign to see the introduction of certificates for all pre-24-week baby losses.

Mrs Clark-Coates was asked to co-chair and author a pregnancy loss review on behalf of the government, through which 73 national recommendations were put forward to change the care and support of bereaved families.

"The certificate is the first recommendation to come to pass," said Mrs Clark-Coates.

"I hope that having an official government-issued certificate helps the many families who have longed for their babies to be formally honoured and recognised.

"I also look forward to seeing my five babies' names on their certificates in the coming weeks,” she added.