The Rainbow Project
The loss of a pregnancy or child is a feeling that no mother (or father) should ever have to experience. It brings anger, and emptiness that is incomparable to any other feeling I've ever experienced.
I'll spare everyone the sappy, long story, but I suffered a still birth almost 4 years ago now. Our son, Aaron, was only 21 weeks when he took his last breath, and since that time, I promised myself I'd never stop talking about him. I'll never stop bringing awareness to infant loss and how I cope. I never want another to mama to feel alone through her own experience and I continue to spread the story of hope and joy that can be experienced after loss. Whether you have suffered a miscarriage, experienced a still birth, or have lost a child in any way, this gut wrenching experience is no doubt the most devastating event of your life...but you're not alone mama...and there's hope!
So...What is a rainbow baby??
A rainbow baby is a baby born after miscarriage, still birth or infant loss. A rainbow baby is that precious miracle a family receives after the "storm" they've just weathered.
They are your tomorrow, your hope.
Pregnancy after loss
When you finally fall pregnant again it can be scary. "What if something happens?" "What if we lose this baby too?" "What if I forget Aaron?" These are all thoughts I had after getting pregnant with my rainbow son, Jason.
In my experience, and I know every parent will see it differently, your rainbow is not a replacement baby. This beautiful new life was sent here to comfort you and offer hope after the storm. This new miracle doesn't replace what you've lost- it brings joy and comfort to you and your family. Your rainbow baby brings a sense of beauty that wouldn't be there had you not experienced the storm. Pregnancy after loss is hard. It causes anxiety that can feel overwhelming at times. These emotions can feel like a lot to take in. Feel them mama. They are intense but they are a part of your healing. 4 years later, I still feel these things. I don't think it'll ever go away, but you're not alone.
Every milestone you experience with your rainbow will be bitter sweet. You're so excited to celebrate these milestones with your baby, but they can be hard as it is something you never got to experience with your angel. It's okay to cry when your baby learns to walk. It's okay to be happy and sad all at once. Lean into those feelings and know you're the absolute best parent this baby can have.
If you've stuck with me this far, I appreciate you! If you're going through a loss, experiencing your first pregnancy after a loss, or if you just wanted to hang around and get in my feelings with me, I want to say thank you for listening and going through this journey with me. I put together this event to show other parents that they are not alone. Every pregnancy, and every child should be celebrated, of course, but there is just something so special about that rainbow baby. 1 in 4 women experience a miscarriage in their life time, most suffer silently alone. But you're not alone mama.
You'll get through this.
There is hope
