Still birth certificate?

[Starmama]

So I've been told from both the hospital paperwork dept and the funeral home that they don't know anything about a certification of still birth, and that since Fiona didn't take a breath all she gets is a death certificate.

Well I found out from someone on another board that california is one of the states you get get the certification of still birth, but even the county records dept was clueless. I fiercely want my child's *life* to be acknowledged. She was alive inside me until just a couple days prior to 38 weeks gestation. Quite full term.

Anyone have any information?

[PJBAC]

There is a what is called a Certificate of Birth Resulting in StillBirth, or CBRS. Many states do provide this along with a death certificate. You have to ask for for it as it is a separate document from the typical death certificate. Most states do charge for it as well, so be prepared. Contact the Vital records office in the county/parrish where Fiona's hospital is located, or your local office. You may have to jump through people to get to someone who knows about the CBRS. I recently obtained one for my son, Boden, who died at 38 5/7 weeks due to a compressed cord just a couple of hours before delivery.

GOOD LUCK and push until you get it...

[motherofthree]

You could also ask the bereavement nurse at your hospital (or if they don't have one at your hosp. one from a larger hospital that does have one) about how to get one...here the bereavement nurse steps you through all of that, but we're in a bigger city.

[Janice]

I did some quick research online. Here is a link to CA vital records with the application you need to fill out. Hope this is what you are looking for.
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/CertifiedCopiesofFetalDeathStillBirth.aspx

[Starmama]

Thank you so much Janice! I'm usually good with my google-fu, but my brain is total mush right now.

We had kaiser and everyone there said that we couldn't get any sort of birth certificate, they didn't know about anything unfortunately. We didn't have a bereavement nurse, but rather a social worker go over all the details we needed to handle.

[Janice]

I am glad I could help. I know what it is like not to think clearing, when your heart is breaking and your world is upside down.