Losing a baby is one of the most significant losses we will ever have to face in our lives, and while the pain may diminish over time it never goes away. Many families who lost babies in the past were not given the opportunity to mourn their baby appropriately and indeed many families do not even know where their precious child is buried. It was accepted practice in the past to whisk the baby away from the delivery room after the birth and many hospital staff members believed that they were sparing the mother added grief by not allowing her to see her baby. Many doctors and nurses felt that they were in fact protecting the mother and parents were often told to go home and put it behind them and have another baby as soon as possible.
Registering a stillbirth for the long-ago bereaved.
If your baby was born before January 1st, 1995, it is possible to have their name put on the stillbirth register.
What is a stillbirth?
In September 2024, the Irish definition of a stillbirth was refined.
“A stillborn child is a child who, at birth, weighs not less than 400 grammes or has a gestational age of not less than 23 weeks and shows no sign of life” (gov.ie).
In the case of a multiple pregnancy, and if one of the children is a ‘stillborn child’ that child may be registered as stillborn if they show no signs of life and if any other child of the pregnancy, at birth weighs not less than 200 grammes.
This new definition also applies retrospectively.
Registering your baby:
In order to have your baby’s name entered on the Stillbirth Register you must bring specific, written, information to your local civil registration office. You will need a letter or statement from the hospital where your baby was born, stating the date and place of birth of your baby and their weight, and/or gestational age. To obtain this information, you must submit a Freedom of Information request, along with a copy of your photo id, to the appropriate hospital. Each hospital has a Freedom of Information office/liaison person, and they will advise you of their process. Once you have this information you can then make an appointment with your local civil registration office to have your baby’s name entered on the stillbirth register and they will issue you with a stillbirth certificate.
The Register of Stillbirths is not available for the public to view. However, if you wish, once your baby’s name is on the Stillbirth Register, you can have their name put on the Record of Stillbirths, which can be accessed by any member of the public. To do this you must email [email protected]. This office is part of the General Register Office (GRO). They will guide you through the process and explain to you what documents are needed to complete your application.
This process can also be completed by a bereaved sibling, but proof of identity will be required.
If you would like any support or guidance through this process, please contact us on 085 2496464 or email [email protected].
Useful links:
Registering a stillbirth in Ireland
Find a civil registration service
Féileacáin holds a number of remembrance services throughout the year where you can remember your baby and honour his/her memory. Check the website for locations and times.