Emotive topic

[abstibus]

Can anyone tell me what kind of a certificate the Swiss authorities issue in the event of a a stillbirth? Where are the records kept?
I have a very good reason for asking.
Thanks a lot.

[bednobs]

hi anne, i don't know, but i know that someone on the stillbirth forum i go to had their baby in switzerland, so i could ask her if you wanted? In order that it doesn't sound strange, are you able to tell me why you need to know, so i can tell her? Or you may prefer to wait till someone else answers

[abstibus]

bednobs
If you don't mind, I would prefer not to disclose the reason for my request - can I just say that a very dear friend has asked me to find out. It relates to his previous girlfriend.
She said she was 37 weeks pregnant but that there is no record of the stillbirth.
She may be telling the truth, but he is still grieving, as he needs to bring some closure to this sad affair.
If you think it will be too traumatic for your friend, then please don't ask her.

[bednobs]

i don't think it will be traumatic for her at all - i'll ask her. I'm not sure she goes to the forum all the time so i don't know when i'll get an answer tho.

[HowardKennitby]

You might get some info from the Consulate

http://www.smiletrave...-consulate-in-belfast

[bednobs]

i found this (the main point being ": In Switzerland a significant number of very low birth weight infants who died soon after birth are not officially registered.")
http://www.smw.ch/doc...2005/29/smw-10946.pdf

[bednobs]

hi anne, i had this reply from my friend
"any stillborn baby born after 24 weeks and weighing more than 500gr gets either a "dead" birth certificate (as opposed to a "live" birth certificate) or an official document stating that a baby was born Hospital is obligated to give you this legal document as from 24 weeks with this document, you can (if you wish only) register the birth or stillbirth and include your baby in the Certificat de Famille which is a family document that registers your wedding and your children. You can give him (no obligation here) give him a name (if you dont, the certificat de famille will only state stillborn) and he will then appear among his living siblings. Technically, stillborns even registered still dont appear on the official births register

[bednobs]

so it looks like it's optional whether to register or not

[abstibus]

Thank you, bednobs, for taking the time to do this, and thank your friend for me.
It is very helpful, and I will pass your reply on to him.

[bednobs]

you are welcome. She said she would be willing to answer any more questions if you needed to know anything else