Parents campaign to change stillbirth law

THE parents of a 20-week-old stillborn baby are hoping to change government legislation on the classification of stillborn babies delivered less than 24 weeks into pregnancy.
By Dan Cain
Published 23rd Jan 2014, 12:00 BST
Tim Loughton, Frazer Leckey, Hayley Petts and famil outside the Houses of ParliamentTim Loughton, Frazer Leckey, Hayley Petts and famil outside the Houses of Parliament
Tim Loughton, Frazer Leckey, Hayley Petts and famil outside the Houses of Parliament

Hayley Petts and Frazer Leckey’s son Samuel was classed as a mid-trimester miscarriage despite the fact Hayley gave birth to him and the couple held him in their arms.

They want the terminology changed so that all stillborn babies are recognised as human beings.

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Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, felt so strongly about their experience that he raised a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Commons last Tuesday.

Hayley, 39, of Worthing, said: “The terminology is almost stuck in the dark ages.

“We are saying if a mum delivers her child naturally that’s when the terminology should be changed and that’s when a baby is recognised as a baby.

“I never managed to get my head around the fact Samuel was referred to as a miscarriage. I felt so passionately about the fact he was an actual baby.

“I told Tim and he was actually gob-smacked in this day and age that’s how babies are referred to.”

For the full story, see the Worthing Herald, Thursday, January 23.

Related topics:ParentsHouse of CommonsShoreham