PA Birth Certificate

Reeses28

Hi,
I am a lurker, but having an extremely emotional crisis and I need some help. Quick background is that our daughter was born at 36 weeks via CS after I developed preeclampsia. She did have a known heart problem, but the MDs thought it was correctable. On the second day of her life we received the devastating news that our baby girl had trisomy 13. Sadly, she passed away in our arms at 5 days old.

Just last week we received her birth certificate with a large "deceased" stamped across it. I have spoken to multiple people about this and have gotten different answers. One told me that PA got a new computer program in April and that's when it started. Another told me that it has always been like that. I do NOT need two death certificates. I need something to celebrate my baby's life. I do know of another baby born in April that did not have this stamped across.
Could you please share with me what state you are in and whether or not you had this stamped across? Did this happen to anyone else and did you make any phone calls?
I am absolutely devastated and I am so angry! I do want to thank everyone that posts on this board. I came to it in May and have found a lot of comfort knowing I am not alone in my feelings and emotions. Thanks for any insight you can provide on your birth certificates!

Heatherhah

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet DD. I didn't get a birth certificate as my DD died before birth. But my mother works for the heatlh Dept here in Maryland and they do put deceased on the birth certificates here from what I have learned. I only received a death certificate that was an offical document. We did receive a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth but it isn't the same as a birth certificate ans truly isn't an offical document.

Heather

jbranden12

I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. Like Heather, my daughter was also born still so we have a death certificate and a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth from the state of Texas. I do remember seeing some discussions on this board about birth certificates, though. I believe it was common for birth certificates issued after the death of a baby to have the stamping yours does to prevent identity theft. Hopefully some of the other moms whose children died after birth will be able to shed more light on their documents.

katyms7

I am so sorry for your loss. I am having to go through the same process right now and thought today I would start posting on this board as suggested by a friend. I lost my DS on day 6 of his life. I also received a birth certificate from the state of Ohio that has the same stamp across it. I had the same reaction as you did. If you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to PM me anytime. My DS passed 3 weeks ago and I am turning to this board for support through the rough periods. Katy

pottermommy

I am so sorry.  My DD died at 19 months old, in NC you have to go to the board of whatever to get even a first copy of a bc and I had never done it.

When she died I desperately wanted one so I went and got it and it too had that stamp across it.  It is how they keep people from stealing their identities after death is what I was told.

I am sorry.

Bayberry12

I am so sorry for the loss of you daughter.  I am also in PA and remember this question being posted on the board a while ago.  My daughter was stillborn, so if I were to get a birth certificate it would be a "birth certificate resulting in stillbirth", and from what I have head it would have "deceased" on it too.

I know that your daughter lived and I am so sorry that you are dealing with this.  It doesn't seem right for her birth certificate to say deceased on it.  I am sorry.  

OSUWifey09

I'm in Oklahoma, but my son was born sleeping - so he will have a certificate of stillbirth and not a death certificate, from what I was told at the hospital and funeral home. But I also believe that it will say "deceased" across it. 

As pp said, I'm so sorry you're going through this. Your daughter was very much alive; doesn't seem right to have that stamp across it.  

Auki13

I am so sorry for your loss.  My daughter was born and lived for an hour before she passed away and received a birth certificate (with no stamp marking that she is now deceased), but things may be different in Illinois.  I didn't even know about so many people having issues with birth certificates until I saw posts on this board. I hope you can get this resolved as I know I treasure Annabelle's birth certificate.

 

cherrycobbler

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter.  My son was also born with a correctable heart defect and died from T13 when he was 6 days old.  I also had an emergency c/s at 33 wks due to sudden,severe HELLP syndrome.

 I live in Texas and his birth certificate also says deceased on it in larger letters than is necessary.  I think here, you can purchase a keepsake certificate from the dept of vital statistics, that isn't legal, but prettier (I think it isn't legal).  Our has either a teddy bear or the Lone Star (I think).  Maybe your state also offers something like that.  I also did a quick google for keepsake birth certificates.  Designs by dana was the first one I glanced at that has some options, or maybe you know someone with some computer skills and nice handwriting.  I wish I knew of a better option for you.  Fell free to pm me if you need to talk.

dandywarhol

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter and the senselessness of the stamp on your daughter's birth certificate. We lost our first daughter at 21w. She was born alive so we received a birth certificate. We are in NY. Strangely we have never received a death certificate and neither DH or I have the strength to pursue it.

Reeses28

Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know about your experiences and suggestions. I'm going to do some research to determine how many infant deaths there are per year in PA and see if I can also find any stats on identy fraud. I'm then going to compare against a state that doesn't mark deceased and see how much identy fraud problems they have. My state reps office told me to write a letter and they will sent it to the Dept of Vital Records. It's just wrong! She had a life first and she deserves that piece of paper. A birth certificate is a vital record that documents the birth of a child. Since her death my eyes have been opened to the unfairness and under knowledge of infant death. To go through what we have and then have to fight for everything pretty sure insurance will be next is just unfair. Sorry to vent. I don't normally get like this, but my emotions are magnified by 100 when my precious baby girl McKinley is involved. Thanks again for help and I am so sorry for all of your losses. You are all wonderful and provide so much support through your words!

pottermommy

I am glad you are being proactive about it.  Don't apologize for venting, you need to and you belong here even if you feel better just reading, and lurking.  You are always welcome to post.

BTW I love her name, McKinley is a gorgeous name.

careyalis

I live in KY and my daughter's certificate also said deceased .  Fortunately, it was just small and in typed print, but it still bothered me.

irishdo

I am mostly a lurker but wanted to chime in.  First off, I am so sorry for your loss and think the stamp is horrible.  I can tell you it has not always been like that.  I am also in PA.  I had twins at 24 weeks in 2010 and my daughter passed away at 3 days. We received both a birth and death certificate in the mail ( on the same day) and there was no stamp on her birth certificate.