Rainbow Pregnancy & Babies

What is a Rainbow Baby? 

A rainbow baby is a baby born following the loss of another. In nature a rainbow is something beautiful that follows a storm and is a sign of brighter days to come. A rainbow wouldn't exist without the rain and that mirrors a rainbow baby. It acknowledges the baby that was lost but offers hope for the future. 

Rainbow baby pregnancies can often lead to feelings of guilt and added anxiety. You may feel guilty for being happy about your rainbow baby and that you are somehow betraying the child that you lost. It is important to remember that having a rainbow baby isn't about forgetting. It is about accepting the glimmers of light and hope that present themselves. 

While pregnancy can often be an anxious time for many, when you are pregnant with a rainbow baby this can be heightened even further. If your baby was lost during pregnancy there can be a real fear of history repeating itself. 

My Rainbow Baby experience 

Our CEO, Elizabeth speaks of her rainbow baby Joshua.

"When I lost my first son, Toby, a complete darkness descended on me. I had an older daughter and I know people were thinking I should be happy to have her, but he was my son, I loved him, I wanted him. Nobody could choose which one of their children they would give up, why would I be any different?! I had two babies, I wanted to be able to hold them both! My life became surrounded by grief, I never knew it was possible for the world to just suddenly change colour, it was like I was wearing dark, miserable glasses all the time. I struggled to find joy in anything. 6 months after I lost Toby I found out I was pregnant again. I didn't have the same elation I had with my first two pregnancies. I was still grieving my son and aside from the inevitable worries, I also felt guilty that Toby would think I was replacing him.
 
A rainbow baby pregnancy has so many mixed emotions, I couldn’t plan for his birth because I knew I might not bring him home. I loved feeling his kicks but I was petrified each one would be his last. I knew I wouldn’t relax until he was in my arms.
 
And its that empty arms feeling that a rainbow baby really satisfies. Toby would never be replaced but my rainbow baby Joshua let me nurture and love a baby that I truly longed for. He did fill my days and give me something to work towards. But I knew the light that he brought me wouldn't have happened without the storm before.
 
As soon as I held my Rainbow baby I understood the expression. Toby will never be replaced and I would never wish he hadn’t existed. He changed my life in ways I could never imagine and now my Rainbow baby is changing me even more. He has certainly helped me find my normal, but I will never get over losing Toby."

Rainbow Project

Offering support to those pregnant following a previous stillbirth or neonatal death, our Rainbow Project launched in 2018. Focusing on self-care, positivity and the importance of baby movements, our rainbow bundles are an important source of extra support for families. Read more

My Rainbow Pregnancy

Our CEO Elizabeth describes her experience of having her rainbow baby Joshua. Read more

Rainbow Pregnancy Facebook Group

We know that rainbow pregnancies are tough. You can meet other mums who understand in our Rainbow Pregnancy Facebook Group. Read more

Rainbow Baby themed Baby Shower

Pregnant with a rainbow baby and looking for some fun baby shower ideas? Read more