Do you know that a child born dead is called a stillbirth/foetal death and it is to be registered? And do you know that a stillbirth/foetal death must be registered in the Parish and District where it occurred? Most stillbirths though, occur in hospitals where the registration is done from the relevant documentation. Those stillbirths/foetal deaths occurrences from home deliveries, are they being reported and subsequently registered?

A stillbirth, otherwise called foetal death, is death prior to the complete expulsion from the uterus of a product of conception that the fetus does not breathe or fail to show any evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of the voluntary muscles.

The reason for death is unknown, but there are some indication of the possible causes of feotal death/stillbirth; such as infection, accident with the umbilical cord and genetic factor. Known causes are mother with history of diabetes, problems with blood pressure, problems with placenta and eclampsia which causes seizures during pregnancy.     

One of the following documents must be presented before a stillbirth can be registered:

·                     Certificate of Stillbirth (Form W) signed by the Medical Practitioner or Certified Midwife in attendance at the time of delivery before registration can be done. This is most commonly used as it applies to Stillbirth being delivered in an Institution (hospital) See specimen below
·                     Declaration as to stillbirth (Form M) signed by a qualified informant stating that a certificate cannot be obtained because no physician or Certified Midwife was in attendance during the delivery of the stillbirth.
·                     Certified copy of a Post Mortem examination Report signed by a Medical Practitioner who performed the Post Mortem Examination.
·                     Coroners Certificate signed by the Coroner for the parish in which the stillbirth occurred
 
Based on the certificate below the Registration Officer/LDR then register the stillbirth by entering:
Line 7              - Certificate of Stillbirth received from Dr. /Nurse
Line 8.             - Father’s name
Line 9.             - Father’s age
Line 10            - Father’s occupation 
Line 11            -Father’s parish (or country) of birth
Line 13a-14     -The cause of stillbirth is entered exactly the way it appears on the                           Certificate of Stillbirth
Line 19-21       - Informant’s particulars are entered and the informant is allowed to sign below line 21
See specimen below

 

Based on the certificate below the Registration Officer/LDR then register the stillbirth by entering:
Line 7              -Certificate of Stillbirth received from Dr. /Nurse
Line 8.-11        - Section is blank
Line 13a-14     -The cause of stillbirth is entered exactly the way it is appears on the                               Certificate of Stillbirth
Line 23            Stillbirths registered over three (3) months require the signature of a witness
See specimen below

Case C

The informant must complete and sign a Declaration as to Stillbirth (Form M), which states that a certificate cannot be obtained as no certified person was in attendance at the delivery of the stillbirth

The informant must complete and sign a Declaration as to Stillbirth (Form M), which states that a certificate cannot be obtained as no certified person was in attendance at the delivery of the stillbirth

Based on this declaration the stillbirth is registered.

The following lines require special consideration: 
 
Line 7              -“Declaration as to Stillbirth”
Line 8.-11        - No entry is made in the section for the father’s particular because the              stillbirth has occurred out of wedlock
Line 19-21       -The name and particulars of the person who signs the Declaration is entered in the section for the informant and he/she signs on the stillbirth registration form
Line 23            The signature of a witness is required if the stillbirth is being registered over three (3) months after the event

Case D
The Registration Officer/LDR must be presented with a Post Mortem Examination 
Report signed by the Medical Practitioner who performed the Post Mortem Examination.
Based on this Report the Registration Officer/LDR then registers the stillbirth.

The following lines require special consideration:
 

Line 7              -“Post Mortem Examination held on” followed by the date of the     Examination and “No inquest” if that is the case
Line 8.-11        - If parents are not married, no entry is to be made on these lines
Line 13-14       - The case of a stillbirth is entered as a appears on the Post Mortem Report in the “Summary of Opinion as to Cause of Death” section
Line 19-21       -The Informant’s particulars are entered and he/she is allowed to sign on the sign designated for this purpose
Line 23            The signature of a witness is required if the stillbirth is being registered over three (3) months after the event

A Certificate of Burial (Stillbirth)(Form Q) would have been issued by the Police in this instance.