Access Canberra is to recognise parents’ grief over the loss of a baby during early pregnancy through a new commemorative certificate.
Announcing the certificate’s launch, Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne said the Commemorative Early Pregnancy Loss Certificates provided meaningful recognition and acknowledgment of the loss experienced by families.
“A loss of a loved and wanted pregnancy can be so heartbreaking and traumatic for parents, and for many bereaved families it is important to recognise that loss,” Ms Cheyne said.
“The ACT is also proud to begin offering an early pregnancy loss Certificate, which may help parents in the grieving process,” she said.
“I hope these Certificates will provide some support and comfort to parents.”
Ms Cheyne said Certificates would be available retrospectively so that any parent who had experienced early pregnancy loss in the ACT at any time in the past could apply for a certificate to honour their child, even if they no longer resided in the Territory.
The Minister said parents could choose between several Certificate designs which featured artworks specially commissioned for the purpose.
Ms Cheyne said one of the Certificate designs was developed by Canberra-based Aboriginal artist, Kayannie Denigan, and represented the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to their families.
“One design, with two different colour options, has been developed by Canberra-based Aboriginal artist Kayannie Denigan and represents the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to their families,” she said.
“Another Certificate designed by local Canberra artist Rebecca Tregurtha depicts native flora including the Royal Bluebell, the ACT floral emblem.”
Ms Cheyne said a third design, featuring butterflies, was by Western Australian artist Till Heike who had personally experienced early pregnancy loss.
She said the early pregnancy loss Certificates were available where a pregnancy had been lost in the ACT before 20 weeks’ gestation and where a birth certificate was not available.
Further information on the Access Canberra Commemorative Certificates can be accessed at this PS News link.
