A MOTHER has launched a petition after suffering the heartbreak of a miscarriage.

Joanne James had no complications during her pregnancy, and thought she was suffering constipation when she went into early labour at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath this month.

Her daughter Ella May was born at the hospital after just 21 weeks and three days, but sadly died.

It was Joanne’s first pregnancy with partner Liam Elphick, and the couple were left devastated when they were told their daughter was not entitled to get a birth or death certificate as she was under 24 weeks old.

So they have set up a petition calling on the authorities to offer birth and death certificates to bereaved parents, which has so far been signed by more than 1,000 people.

Joanne, 24, a nanny from Balcombe in West Sussex, said when she found out her baby was not entitled to a death certificate, it “broke her heart even more”.

She said: “I went through early labour that led to a miscarriage. All the scans were fine. I went to hospital thinking I had constipation. I had no idea it would turn out like that.

“Ella May was born and our friends and family know she was here, but as far as anyone else is concerned, she never existed, her life is not recognised.

“No matter how short it was, she did have a life on this earth, the same as everyone else’s, so I believe there should be a birth and death certificate to prove it.”

Together with partner Liam, 21, from Hollingdean in Brighton, she has launched the petition on the Parliament website.

After 10,000 signatures, her petition will be entitled to a response from the Government, while after 100,000 signatures, the issue would have to be debated by MPs.

Joanne said: “I know not every parent in our position would want the certificates, but I think it should be offered.

“The petition has given us something positive out of what has happened. We want her life to have some impact. It was heartbreaking, but this is giving us something to think about to take our minds off it.”

Painter and decorator Liam added: “At this devastating time it is amazing how people can come together. We want to make a change for little Ella and for everyone going through this in the future.”

Visit: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/227137.