The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will conclude its work this Parliament in March 2026 ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election. So the Committee has time to complete its work, it has agreed not to consider petitions submitted after 10 October.
The Committee will continue to meet but given the volume of petitions and agreed work programme it is unlikely that the Committee would be able to meaningfully progress work on petitions submitted after 10 October ahead of the election. Petitions lodged after this date will not fall when the Parliament is dissolved and will be for the successor committee to consider in the new session.
If you are seeking urgent action or policy change please contact one of your 8 MSPs or the Scottish Government directly.
Closed petition PE2046: Provide birth certificates for stillborn babies
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to enable a birth certificate to be issued in respect of any baby stillborn after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Previous action taken
Contacted my local MSP Clare Haughey but had no response.
Background information
I was 34 weeks pregnant when I thought I was going to hospital in early labour but it turned out to be the worst day of my life. My placenta ruptured which made me lose my darling angel baby, Harper Ann Mary Carruthers, who was born sleeping on 21/06/2023 at 18.33 weighing 4lb. I had a very healthy pregnancy and Harper had a mummy, daddy, two sisters and a brother who couldn’t wait to meet her and love her. Placental abruption isn’t something you’re told about and you’re not made aware of the signs indicating an abruption.
I also wasn’t aware that any babies born sleeping who do not take a breath aren’t entitled to a birth certificate. “Angel mothers” should be entitled to a birth certificate and death certificate at the same time. After all, they were still our kids and human little babies. I would like to see a law change and for it to be called Harper’s Law. I would like this to apply in cases where the pregnancy lasted for at least 20 weeks.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
545 signatures