[Tina]

Hi there I have a dear friend who's daughter has given birth to a little boy who grew wings at 20 weeks gestation. The mother of this little angel was told to take the baby home with her as if they left the baby at the hospital they would dispose of him. (They then took the baby home and arranged a funeral for him which was today)

My question is at what time in gestation do they class as a baby and not a foetus (hate that word)? I always thought that 20 weeks was a baby and before that is a foetus.

My heart aches for the poor family and what they have had to go through and am just concerned that the hospital has done and said something that they should not have.

TIA, Tina a very concerned mother of 2.

[TwistedIvy]

I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think it is 24 weeks.

[Toucan]

that is so sad, how awful to hear something like that about your baby. I thought it was 20wks or 400g, then was classed a stillbirth. After 20wks they are required by law to be buried or cremated. That is what I was told and what is in the book I have here from hospital. Maybe the hospital meant if they chose not too, then they would organise for them??

How sad, I'm sorry.

[Meagan]

OMG, she was told to take the baby home with her?? How distressing.

I needed to have an autopsy for my own peace of mind. Blacktown hospital arranged to have her picked up & taken to the childrens hospital, then the funeral home picked her up from there.

The birth needs to be registered, and the baby burried/cremated from 20 weeks or if the gestation is unknown then 400grams.

So sorry for their loss.

[Mariamsmum]

Oh Tina how horrible for your friend ...after everything that she has been through and lost....
I have PM'd you...