What is a Rainbow Baby? | Meadowbrook Newborn Photographer
After every storm comes a rainbow.
Have you heard of the term rainbow baby and wondered what it could mean? Rainbow baby has become a popular term used by people in the pregnancy loss community since it represents the hope and brightness that can follow the pain of a storm. The American Pregnancy Association defines "Rainbow baby as a healthy baby born after losing a baby due to miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Rainbow babies are considered ‘miracle’ babies due to the powerful impact they can have on helping parents heal after a loss."
I often receive requests to incorporate rainbows in newborn sessions. Sometimes, it's just because rainbows are a beautiful feature. But sometimes it is to honor a new baby as being a "rainbow baby." Rainbows can come with a mix of emotions, from elations and joy to guilt and even grief. My goal when honoring your rainbow baby is to do just that... honor the beautiful miracle that they are.
Sometimes to have a rainbow baby after multiple losses, it can require medical help, like IVF or in vitro fertilization. IVF is a type of fertility treatment where eggs are combined with sperm outside of your body in a lab. In vitro fertilization has been utilized to create many miracles. There are also many other types of fertility treatment - many of which require a mom to inject with shots regularly. Although this can be painful, it can also lead to a wonderful and beautiful baby.
I have been asked several times to create a beautiful set up that helps represent the pain and struggles encountered to receive the miracle of life. I love things like this that allow us to show a sweet baby just how wanted and loved they are by parents who are willing to do whatever it takes to bring them in to the world.
Rainbows remind us that even after the darkest clouds and the fiercest winds, there is still beauty.
We loved you before we knew you. Even when there was just a hope for you, we loved you.
