Datblygwyd y Cylchlythyr mewn ymateb i bryder gan aelod o’r cyhoedd, sef Emma Jones. Roedd yn pryderu nad oedd y canllaw presennol i weithwyr iechyd proffesiynol gan Gymdeithas Meddygaeth Amenedigol Prydain yn nodi beth ddylai’r GIG ei wneud i ofalu am fabanod sydd wedi eu geni’n fyw cyn cyfnod beichiogrwydd o 24 wythnos. Daw hyn yn sgil marwolaeth ei mab, Riley, a fu farw wedi iddo gael ei eni yn 22 wythnos a 4 diwrnod ym mis Rhagfyr 2013.
The WHC was developed in response to a concern from a member of the public - Emma Jones – that current professional guidance from the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) does not state what the NHS should do to care for babies born alive before 24 weeks. This followed the death of her son, Riley, who died after he was born at the age of 22 weeks and 4 days in December 2013.