What Is A Rainbow Baby — Is It As Colourful As It Sounds?
* Edited by Sarah Evans, Written by Emma
A rainbow baby is a baby born after a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, stillbirth or neonatal death.
A rainbow baby is a term used to describe a healthy baby born after losing a baby due to miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death. The rainbow descriptor is symbolic of hope and the ‘sunshine’ after the dark period of loss, grief and disbelief that can be experienced after pregnancy loss.
What is the history behind the term ‘rainbow baby’?
The expression ‘rainbow baby’ has gained popularity on blogs and social media in the last few years as has the movement of bringing miscarriage and pregnancy loss out of the shadows and normalise discussions to assist those who have experienced this loss support to process and heal.
As a mum who has suffered three miscarriages, the feelings that a rainbow pregnancy and baby then bring are mixed. The incredible sense of gratitude, hope, anxiety, reflection, healing, stress and fear are a rollercoaster.
Rainbow babies are often times described as miracle babies as they foster incredible healing to parents who have grieved the loss of a pregnancy.
The other mixed emotions that you may not expect come from the stress a mum can put on herself to keep the baby healthy through the pregnancy and the lingering sense that they may have done something wrong to lose their pregnancy. This is of course untrue, pregnancy loss in the first trimester is extremely common – up to 1 in 4 known pregnancies can end in miscarriage.
6 Tips From A Mum Who Has A Double Rainbow Baby
1. Take time to grief
Allow yourself time to grieve and have a discussion with your GP, Obstetrician and/or fertility specialist about any investigations that are possible to assist you with answers if you need them.
2. Get professional fertility advice
Fertility journeys are so varied, however, if you are getting older and your biological clock is ticking (as mine was), professional advice and support were invaluable in knowing what the next steps could be and if it was okay to continue to try.
3. Connect with the rainbow baby community
Listen to stories from friends and/or others who have shared through the Pink Elephant network, on blogs and in podcasts to assist you in feeling ‘seen’ and to reinforce the reality that you are not alone.
4. Ask for extra reassurance
It’s okay to feel cautious and nervous throughout your pregnancy. Rest assured you did nothing wrong with your last pregnancy and get that reassurance from your medical team. Taking extra steps or requesting extra ultrasounds, appointments or taking it easy on your body are all acceptable ways to assist you to manage your pregnancy.
5. Ask for regular check-ups
My pregnancy was nurtured by my fertility specialist with regular check-ups and support fortnightly throughout my first trimester which helped quell the nerves, fear and anxiety I had about ‘doing something wrong’, or that my actions were harming my baby. I was incredibly careful and anxious as well as absolutely overjoyed and overcome with gratitude for the impending birth.
6. Enjoy your baby
When your baby is born, enjoy them! Soak it all up, having this miracle after an extended period of longing and heartache made my journey to motherhood all the more special. It is still tough, of course! So acknowledge all the feelings that come with the journey and honour how you feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a double rainbow baby?
A double rainbow baby is a baby that is born after their parents experience two previous losses.
What is a sunshine baby?
A sunshine baby is another phrase used to describe a healthy baby born after losing a baby due to miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death.
Is there a ‘time limit’ on your baby being a rainbow baby?
No, there is no time limit or minimum/maximum amount of time that passes before the baby born would be termed a ‘rainbow baby’. Whether it has been months or years since you experienced a loss, your baby will be a rainbow baby.
Where can I go for advice and support?
Professional advice and support are available through The Pink Elephants Support Network not just for mums, but also for spouses, partners and other family members. To learn more about their services and reason for being, check out our interview with founder Sam Payne.
