Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Certificate of Stillbirth

I have always not liked having a birth certificate for Carleigh. I've always believed she had a right to one. I mean, she was born wasn't she? I get that birth certificates are for live births but I still wanted something to document her birth. I was able to find out that the Ohio Department of Health will issue you a certificate of stillbirth if you request one. So I put in my request months ago.

It was only only supposed to take a few weeks but the weeks went by and then months and I never heard anything or got anything in the mail. I thought about requesting it again several times but decided to just wait. Well, today I received an envelope in the mail from ODH and I was hoping that this was it. I wasn't sure as the envelope was addressed to Anthony.

I opened it up and it was indeed Carleigh's certified certificate of stillbirth. I can't tell you how happy I am to finally get it! All I have had is a death certificate and now I have a certificate that documents she was born. You wouldn't think a piece of paper would mean that much, but it means something to me.

29 comments:

April said...

I am glad you were able to receive a certificate for Carleigh - although I agree that you shouldn't have to ask for one! Was that something the hospital told you about? Did they give you that option for Carleigh?

I can imagine that any form of a tangible item that proves that Carleigh was here on earth with you, serves as a precious keepsake.

Sarah E @ theteacherswife.com said...

Oh, I'm so glad you got the certificate today! I requested one for Andrew a month or so ago and have been anxiously awaiting it as well. I totally understand how much it means to you!

Debbie said...

For sure it should mean something to you!! How cool that you did eventually receive it after so much time. ~Debbie

Rikki said...

I am so glad that you finally recieved it.
Where i live you get a birth certificate if you are after 20 weeks. I wish it was like that everywhere else. Even though it is just a bit of paper i know how much it means, sometimes i just look at it when i think i am going crazy and it reasures me that they were real and i didnt just make them up, i feel like that often.

Mother Knows Best Reviews said...

I am so glad that you received the certificate - that's so lovely. I hope that it is a comforting item for you. Hugs to you and Carleigh!

Caroline said...

I'm so glad you got it. I guess I never knew what they did if your baby was born still. I'm happy that you have that.
Caroline

The McDaniel 3 said...

:) so happy for you and Anth!

Danielle said...

I'm so glad you got your certificate. I truly understand how special getting that recognition that Carleigh lived is to you. I know my day will come one day!

The Blue Sparrow said...

That is so great! I only have Bryston's death certificate, I should check into seeing if I can get a birth certificate for him. I would love to have one too. I think I remember them telling me that I couldnt though but I think I will double check now. Thanks for posting this, it was a good reminder for me! *HUGS*

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I am so glad that you have that.
This brought tears to my eyes.
((HUGS))

Jennifer Ross said...

I got a birth/death cert. for Isaiah. I actually pulled it out the other day, while getting the other kids out for something. It was a moment of pure sadness, mixed with pure sickness. Sometimes I feel so sad... I feel ill.

I'm glad that you got Carleigh's certificate. It a very important paper for a parent. She was here... and we'll never forget her.

Courtney said...

Oh hon I'm so glad you finally got it. I know what you mean though about needing it and how much it means to you!

Many hugs

Jess said...

Honestly, I wish I knew Ohio issued those. I like 3 minutes from the Ohio border, I would have had Joel there. Here in West Virginia, you get nothing. I'm happy you got yours though.

Mary said...

I can totally understand why it is so important, Holly! It marks her entry into this world, her stamp on your life, it states to the world that SHE WAS HERE! And she was important.

I am so glad you have it to treasure.

Jenilee said...

I'm so glad that it came in the mail for you... I can imagine how important it would be!

Nicole said...

I'm glad you finally got the certificate in the mail. Even though it is not actually a birth certificate (of course she was born, you went through labor & delivery and everything else!), at least they did recognize Carleigh's birth.

Slightly ironic, that you received this special piece of paper in the mail the same week you discovered that you are pregnant again.

Congrats on your new pregnancy, Holly! I can't wait to hear more about it in the coming weeks and months!

Dr. Joanne Cacciatore said...

It warms my heart to hear this. Thank you.

Mom Putnam said...

I am so glad you received it, we want it to be known she was here and she counted, she is family!!!

Lilly's Mom (Desiree) said...

I am so glad that you got your certificate!!! =) I am mailing my papers out soon to get mine... I didn't find out that Virginia offers it. I went to write a new post and saw the title of yours, and was like...hey! that's what i was going to write about.lol. glad you got it. God bless. praying for you!!!

-Desiree

Dr. Joanne Cacciatore said...

Yes, a hug does work wonderfully! Thank you for visiting...

The MISSing Angels Bill (the reason you obtained her CoS) info site is here: http://www.missingangelsbill.org
in case you want to tell others.

Anonymous said...

I;m glad you got it. The hospital where I had Shealyn only gave me their birth certif, that was hand written with her foot prints on it. I have to look in to getting a certified on.

Heather said...

I am glad you got that certificate, and I agree that the laws are ridiculous on this. Because our Madelyn lived, even for a short time, we got the birth certificate and can even claim her on our taxes. It doesn't seem fair to think that if she would've died before departing my body we would've gotten none of that...

Anonymous said...

I lost my son with Anencephaly August 26th he was 26 weeks along. We have been trying for four months it has always come easily for us and I just miscarried at six weeks so I was thrilled to read that it took you nine months and are now expecting and you never had problems before. It gives me hope that sometimes it take longer; I conceived four times without problem but (had two stillbirths two living children) and have convinced myself its not my time. thank for giving me hope!!!!!!

Once A Mother said...

i am so happy that you were able to get this. carleigh lived for nine months with you, and deserves to have her life recognized. peyton was never issued a birth cert. only a death cert. and she was alive 28 days. it is sad the way our society discounts these lives just because they were cut short.

Kristy said...

Those things make it real, make their lives real. We know it was real, but seeing their names in print on something from the Government shows that they existed not just to you but to others. I hope it brings you a bit of peace. *hugs*

~J's Mommy~ said...

I'm glad you finally got your certificate. I have 4 copies of J's! lol Here in SC, I can't get a death certificate for him though. Everything is SO frustrating. Why can't they make things equal in all states? All still babies, in ALL states get a Birth AND Death cert! That would be so much easier. I think us mommies deserve SOMETHING to come easy for us after losing our babies!
Glad you got yours.. and CONGRATS again on the pregnancy! <3

{:miss v:} said...

Oh, I'm so glad you received the certificate! I know that would make me happy too!

I've actually been to your blog before so when I hopped on tonight, I was like "I remember this blog!".

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Nice to 'meet' you! ;)

Anonymous said...

I am sorry for your loss but I learned that if they die as a newborn they are to pure to live here in this evil world. She's in a better place.

Christy said...

OK, I am not at all sure why this anonymous person is making the rounds lately, but seriously? I guess I'm not sure how you feel...but I think the place place for Carleigh would be right here in your arms.

I came just to tell you taht I was so glad you got the certificate-I know how much it must mean to you. My twins got birth certificates, but when they came, they say DECEASED in big letters all the way across them :( Not such a great thing to get in the mail. I'm glad you have something that is important!

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