About this important piece of legislation

What is the definition of “stillbirth?”
A stillbirth is an intrauterine death that can occur after the 20th week of pregnancy all the way up to birth. The “stillborn infant” is born without any attempt at respiration, including a beating umbilical cord. Even a post-term baby who dies one minute prior to birth is considered a stillborn.

What is the current protocol in Arizona for stillbirth?
The registrar of vital records issues a “Certificate of Fetal Death” for all stillbirths. This is the only record the family is able to receive at this time.

How many stillbirths occur in Arizona every year? How many in the nation?
According to the DHS website, in 1999 there were 682 stillbirths. In the United States, there are approximately 30,000-39,000 stillborn babies every year. Actual numbers are unknown which is one reason why this bill is necessary.

What is the proposed change in HB2416?
This change would require vital statistics to issue a “Certificate of Birth, Resulting in Stillbirth” for each stillbirth (which, by definition, excludes all abortions).

What are the benefits of HB2416?
1.Standardized statistical benefits: Issuing these certificates for stillbirths would allow clear definitions for accurate statistical analysis and enhanced understanding of stillbirth. It will allow for better clarity in classification.

2. Reduced insensitivity to women who endure the death and the birth of their stillborn infant. Many women express strong feelings of disenfranchisement merely because their child was born dead. The state’s refusal to validate the experience of childbirth is inexcusable. Simply offering a death certificate, a constant reminder of a woman’s perceived failure, is unjustifiable. A mother of a stillborn must still give birth to her dead infant.

3. Consistency in the law: Currently, the family of the stillborn infant is required to carry the duty to bury the stillborn child. Yet, there is no willingness to acknowledge that this infant ever “was.”

4. Equitable Treatment: A premature infant born at 21 weeks gestation weighing less than ? lb, that takes one small breath, yet has no chance at survival outside the womb will receive a “Certificate of Live Birth.” Conversely, a baby born at 42 weeks gestation that dies minutes prior to birth, and weighs 10 lbs will be viewed as a “fetus.” This is very inconsistent and difficult for the family of the full term infant to accept. There is no additional ongoing cost to the state for this proposed legislation.

HB2416 is the right thing to do.