A Meath couple who have campaigned for almost five years for the rights of babies born before 24 weeks will see a new bill progress through the Seanad on the seventh birthday of their late son.
Caroline and Martin Smith are due to speak to the Seanad on Thursday about their battle to get their son Stephen and other babies lost in the first and second semester recognised with a certificate of life.
Stephen was 420 grams when he was born at 20 weeks and two days gestation on October 20, 2015 but the State doesn’t recognise that he existed at all because he was born before the 24-week cut-off point and smaller than the 500 gram weight limit needed at present to get stillborn certificate.
