Support in Lithuania

Legal definition of stillbirth in Lithuania

Stillbirth — a baby born who died from 22 weeks of pregnancy through to the due date.

Registration threshold — since 1991, stillbirths must be registered from 500g weight or 22 weeks gestation.

Stillbirth rate — 2.6 per 1,000 total births (2021).

What happens to babies after late miscarriage or stillbirth

• No birth or death certificate is issued.
• No legal requirement for burial or cremation.
• The hospital may offer a collective burial or cremation (several babies together).
• Parents can choose to arrange a burial or cremation themselves.

• A medical death notice is issued by a doctor — used for funeral arrangements.
• A birth or death certificate is not issued for stillbirths (only a medical death notice).
• There is no separate stillbirth certificate (unlike the UK system, where one is issued).
• Parents may request an autopsy (this requires consent).

Aftercare for mothers in Lithuanian hospitals (2024–2025)

Postpartum depression assessment — as of 1 July 2024, family doctors must assess emotional well-being using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

State-funded care — medical assistance during pregnancy, birth, and the post-natal period is fully financed by the State.

Seeing and holding your baby

In Lithuania, it is less common for parents to see or hold their baby after stillbirth or pregnancy loss. Many families are not encouraged to do this, and some hospitals may not offer it as a standard option. This is different from practices in countries like the Netherlands, the UK, or Australia, where seeing and holding the baby is considered part of compassionate, supportive care.

MIMATIS wants to support you in knowing that this choice is available to you. If you wish to see or hold your baby, you can request this from your healthcare team. You are not obligated to do so, but many parents later say that having this time with their baby helped them in their grief and gave them a moment to truly meet their child before saying goodbye.

Whatever you choose, your decision is valid. There is no “right” way to respond to this loss.

Hospital protocols vary. Some hospitals may be more flexible about time with your baby, while others may have stricter policies. If you feel your wishes are not being respected, you can:

• Ask to speak with the hospital social worker.
• Request to speak with the department director or patient rights representative.
• Contact a support organisation (such as Angel Mothers or the Crisis Pregnancy Center) for guidance.

Creating memories

In Lithuania, hospitals may not routinely offer memory-making options. Some hospitals might not suggest:

• Taking photos of your baby.
• Creating hand or foot prints.
• Keeping mementos (hair, clothes, bracelet).

• Keep mementos (clothes, blanket, bracelet, ultrasound).
• Have time with your baby to create memories.

Whatever you choose is valid. There is no “right” way to remember your baby.

Organisations

Support helplines

Funeral services