A DEVASTATED Lancashire mum is campaigning to change the legal definition of a stillborn child after losing her baby while 19 weeks pregnant.
Rachael Guinan, who lives in Skelmersdale, has been left feeling “confused” and “angry” after her daughter was classed as a miscarriage.
At 19 weeks pregnant, Rachael lost her “angel baby daughter”, Kiara, after suffering abnormal bleeding.
Rachael, 28, said: “I was suffering from pains and slots.
"My partner and me were getting ready to go to the hospital when all of a sudden my waters went.
"The hospital monitor was our beautiful baby girl with her tiny little heartbeat.
“I asked the doctor if my waters had gone and she confirmed they had. I knew once the waters have gone, there would be no way they would be able to save our little girl.”
Rachael had to give birth to Kiara who was born “without that tiny little heartbeat.”
As Kiara was lost before reaching the 24 week mark, Rachael and her family were further heartbroken to learn that their daughter is classed as a miscarriage opposed to a stillborn.
This definition meant the family were unable to get a funeral grant and that Kiara cannot appear in official records used for family trees and ancestry.
Rachael, originally from Ormskirk, said: “I already knew of the ridiculous 24 week gestation rule, which meant we couldn’t be accepted on a funeral government grant.
“We applied anyway only to receive a letter and be told we couldn’t have it because our baby was born before 24 weeks gestation… she was still a baby and I couldn’t disagree more with the law."
Skelmersdale funeral directors, H. Hardman & Co, kindly provided a funeral for free.
Rachael said: “They gave our baby girl everything we wanted free of charge. We are also so grateful.”
However, she said the monetary costs were the least of their problems and she said it is “diabolical” that her daughter is classed as a miscarriage.
She said: “The money doesn’t matter, we didn’t need any.
“We are more concerned about the fact that my baby isn’t classed as a stillborn baby – she’s a miscarriage.
“It’s diabolical and disgusting. I didn’t give birth to a miscarriage, I gave birth to a baby.”
Rachael has now set up a petition in an effort to change the legal definition of stillborn children.
“The definition has got me frustrated confused and angry,” Rachael said, “I would love to get this changed for all parents who have to go through this in the future.
“If a mother has physically given birth to a baby then that should be classed as a stillbirth. No one gives birth to a miscarriage, no one has a funeral for a miscarriage.”
At the time of writing, the petition has received more than 11,000 signatures – they are hoping to reach 100,000.
Rachael said: “We’re overwhelmed of how many signatures the petition has received so far and would like to thank everyone who’s took their time to read sign and share it.
“We can’t thank everyone enough and only hope we reach the ultimate 100,000 target.”
Kiara will continue to have a “special place” in the family’s hearts.
“We plan to celebrate her on every birthday and she’ll be included in all holiday occasions.
“We will never forget her. We love and miss her more than we could possibly explain our hearts are broken but I would like something good to come from this and hopefully get the law changed if possible.”
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