Legal Definitions - stillborn

Stillborn

The term "stillborn" describes an infant who is delivered without any signs of life, meaning they were deceased before or during the birth process.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of this term:

• A couple expecting their first child went to the hospital for a routine check-up at 37 weeks of pregnancy, only to discover that the baby no longer had a heartbeat. Despite medical efforts, the infant was subsequently delivered without any vital signs, and was therefore classified as stillborn.

  This example illustrates the term by describing an infant who was found to be without life prior to delivery and was then born deceased.

• In many jurisdictions, hospitals are required to issue a specific "Certificate of Stillbirth" rather than a traditional birth certificate or death certificate for infants who are born without signs of life after a certain gestational age. This legal documentation formally recognizes the event of a stillborn child.

  This example demonstrates how the term is used in a legal and administrative context to categorize and document the birth of an infant who showed no signs of life.

• A state law might include provisions for parental leave following the birth of a child, and specifically define whether these benefits apply in cases where the infant is stillborn. Such a definition helps clarify the scope of the law's application.

  This example shows how the term "stillborn" is used within legislation to define a specific condition, impacting the applicability of certain legal rights or benefits.