Certificate of Still Birth

[christinerm]

I don't know if anyone has heard of this before, but I thought I'd pass along the information just in case.

When my son was born still I was so crushed. I was also upset that I would not be able to have a birth certificate for my son. My son was alive inside me for over 33 weeks and I wanted his life to be acknowledged. The hospital gave me an unofficial "birth certificate" in my memory box, but I could only get an official "Certificate of Death".

I found a website today that shows which states have make it legal to get a "Certificate of Still Birth" if you gave birth to a baby who was past 20 weeks gestation. The site is sponsored by the M.I.S.S Foundation and it shows the "MISSing Angels Legislation - A State Chart"

"Those states offering an official, legal document that includes the words Certificate of Birth in the title to the parents of stillborn children are considered 'MISSing Angels States'."

I found out that my state recently approved this. I am going to try to get a certificate for my son Zane. It just makes me feel a little better inside to know that his life is being acknowledged officially. I haven't tried it out yet to make sure it works, but I found the "Act" on my states web site and I plan on submitting my request soon.

Here is the link to the website: http://www.missingangelsbill.org/stchart.html

I hope this is helpful information. Like I said, I haven't actually gone through the process yet of requesting my son's "Certificate of Still Birth", so I hope this message wasn't premature. It's information that I would want someone to share with me, so I'm sharing it with others. If anyone has recieved an official "Certificate of Still Birth" before, please let me know.

Chrissy

[Susue]

Hi Chrissy,
This is wonderful, helpful information. M.I.S.S. has worked tirelessly to get this legislation passed in as many states as possible. Rest assured that if the site says your state offers a Certificate of Still Birth you will receive one within about a month. My husband's brother was Stillborn at 41 weeks in 1968 and my In-laws finally received a birth certificate for him in May of 2007. It was a moment in time they will never forget. Click here to see the the post - :heart: http://www.storknotes.com/showthread.php?t=305697
I have been thinking of you an hoping you are managing ok on a day to day basis. :hug:

[christinerm]

I just found the M.I.S.S. website yesterday and I am truly thankful that there are people out there who are working on awareness and on getting wonderful, meaningful things like this approved through legislature. From what I found out, California just approved this last month, January 2008. I am collecting all the information needed and will put in my request. Having a birth certificate means a lot to me. I know Zane is gone and I can't bring him back, but there's just something to be said about having his life recorded officially, on paper, by the state.

Thank you for your support. I appreciate how much the women on this site care about each other. I have my ups and downs, but overall I'm doing pretty well considering all that has happened. Thank you for your caring thoughts anc concerns for me as I am going through this greiving and healing process.

[ajpr2]

I am glad this is able to bring you some comfort :hug: Hopefully it can others as well.