PIERRE, S.D. (AP) Beginning today, South Dakota parents who experience a stillbirth can request a birth certificate resulting in a still birth as a result of a bill passed during the 2007 legislative session.

Currently for a stillbirth, the state Health Department issues a fetal death certificate, which is combination of the birth and death record.

The department says parents of stillborn infants testified that as part of the grieving process, they wanted a document that reflected the birth of their child, not just the death.

The certificate will be issued only at the state level, not at county offices.

On the Net: http://vitalrecords.sd.gov (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-01-07 0956CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list