The Birth Certificate

Until a new bill recently passed, New York State did not acknowledge the birth of any baby born still (birth certificates are called "Certificate of Live Birth", not applicable if the baby was born still). In addition, the parents do not receive a copy of the fetal death certificate, unless they request it (not exactly something you are thinking to ask for in the hospital). You can request the certificate after the fact, but must have the request notarized. There is no need for a name of the baby on the death certificate, so they baby remains unacknowledged. As far as New York State is concerned, the baby was never born, so therefore, a baby never actually died; they only acknowledge the termination of the pregnancy.

Thanks to some very dedicated mothers, this will soon change. Beginning in March, New York State will offer Certificates of Stillbirth. The law is retroactive, so anyone who has had a stillbirth (at more than 20 weeks gestation) can request a birth certificate for their baby. (Our stillbirth was at 20 weeks and 4 days, so we cross the required threshold to qualify.)

After coming home from the hospital, it took a while to sink in that we would not receive birth certificates. Once it did, we were very upset, but poured our energy into the March of Dimes. We were so grateful to these wonderfully dedicated mothers for making this happen. We are very excited for March, when we can request the certificates for our babies. We will proudly display them as proof that our babies were, in fact, born.