Currently if a baby is born dead before 24 completed weeks of pregnancy, the birth cannot be formally registered, while a baby born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy is registered as a stillbirth. Sands welcomes the Pregnancy Loss Review looking into whether the loss of a baby born dead before 24 weeks could be recognised differently – either by allowing registration (so it’s the parents’ choice) or mandating it (so it’s legally required).

Sands believes all bereaved parents must be offered equal, high quality, individualised, safe and sensitive care. Parents who have experienced the death of a baby are at the heart of everything we do and it is vital that we reflect their needs and views in our work. In March 2018 we ran a survey seeking parents’ views and received an overwhelming response. We shared the link with other leading baby loss charities who also promoted it.