Introduction
Rainbow baby refers to the birth of a baby after losing one or more babies due to several causes. The word rainbow indicates a form of hope brought by the baby after the previous loss. A rainbow baby's birth can cause feelings such as happiness, anxiety, grief, and even guilt. In addition, rainbow babies have a powerful impact in helping the parents heal after the previous loss.
What Is a Rainbow Baby?
A rainbow baby denotes the birth of a baby to parents who have previously lost one or more babies due to miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy (a condition in which the fertilization of the egg and development of the embryo occur outside the uterine cavity), termination of pregnancies due to abnormalities, blighted ovum, or death of the baby during infancy. The term rainbow baby was coined to symbolize joy after a dark storm. The birth of a baby after losing one or more babies brings joy to those parents and helps them heal from the previous loss.
For couples who have lost one or more babies, the birth of a rainbow baby offers joy and helps in healing. However, rainbow pregnancies can cause fear, anxiety, and guilt. The birth of a new baby causes a conflict of emotions of grieving a loss while also celebrating the birth of a new baby. Also, parents can choose to give birth to or adopt a rainbow baby.
What to Expect in Rainbow Pregnancies?
Rainbow pregnancies involve emotions such as grief, guilt, excitement, relief, and joy, so these pregnancies are emotionally complex. The partner's support, medical professional's help, and communication with other parents who have experienced a pregnancy loss can help overcome these emotions. In addition, the risk of postpartum anxiety and depression increases in women who have experienced previous pregnancy losses.
Anxiety is common after experiencing the loss of a baby. A counselor, a mental health professional, or communicating with a support group can help overcome this during a rainbow pregnancy.
Some parents also experience a feeling of guilt due to their positive emotions, like excitement or joy. According to some parents, they celebrate a new life without honoring the lost child. Some may experience intense fear because they may fear losing the baby again. This may cause the parents to feel disconnected from their baby during pregnancy. A rainbow pregnancy is complex due to mixed emotions. It is vital to seek the help of a doctor, midwife, mental health professional, or counselor to manage stress and anxiety during pregnancy.
How to Manage Anxiety During Rainbow Pregnancy?
Experiencing one or more pregnancy losses increases the chances of postpartum depression and anxiety in women. The following strategies can help ease the mind:
-
It is essential to recognize that each pregnancy is different, and previous losses do not cause subsequent losses.
-
Communicating with the partner, family, friends, and support group can help manage stress.
-
Communicating with a therapist or a counselor can help eliminate fears and anxiety.
-
Relaxation techniques and meditation allow an individual to focus and improve anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
-
Practicing gratitude and recognizing the positives in life and pregnancy can cause satisfaction and help overcome stress and anxiety.
-
Staying active during pregnancy helps build mental strength and cope with anxiety and stress.
Why Are Rainbow Babies Celebrated?
A rainbow baby symbolizes the hope that helps heal and overcome the loss. A rainbow baby signifies a hopeful symbol of new life after a period of darkness or trauma. However, a woman may or may not overcome the grief throughout the pregnancy. But, the birth of a rainbow baby offers relief and comfort and indicates the beginning of healing. As the birth of a rainbow baby eliminates the grief of a lost pregnancy, rainbow babies are treasured reminders. Though the suffering is eliminated, parents still honor and treasure the lost baby.
Birthing vs. Adopting a Rainbow Baby
Joy, excitement, fear, and anxiety intensify as a woman approaches labor and delivery. It is normal to experience increased levels of fear, anxiety, grief, happiness, and relief. Parents who have lost a baby often experience intense emotions during labor because they know what can go wrong. This excitement and hormonal changes can cause a rush of emotions. However, happiness and relief are also experienced.
Though getting pregnant is the only option to have a rainbow baby, some couples choose to adopt one. Some couples do not wish to pursue pregnancy after losing a baby, while others assume because they cannot get pregnant again. The adoption of a rainbow baby also causes various emotions and worries.
How to Monitor a Rainbow Baby?
Depending on the cause of the previous pregnancy losses, the rainbow baby is monitored in several ways. However, this can vary with each woman. Consulting and discussing with the healthcare team can help determine the care needed for individual circumstances. Careful monitoring helps in the safe and healthy full-term development of the baby. Regular checkups, adequate nutrition, a healthy weight, and a proper diet help in the healthy development of the rainbow baby.
Counting the baby's kicks is another way to monitor the baby's health at home. Baby's kicks can be counted from 28 weeks of pregnancy every day at the same time. It is essential because any changes in the baby's kicks in the third trimester are signs of distress. If any changes in the number of kicks or pattern of kicks are noted, it is essential to consult the doctor.
Conclusion
A rainbow baby is a term that describes a baby born after one or more pregnancy losses. The term represents happiness after a dark time. The birth of a rainbow baby heals the previous pregnancy losses. The pregnancy losses can be due to miscarriage, stillbirth, blighted ovum, or ectopic pregnancy. Studies have shown that pregnancy losses can occur in one in four pregnancies. Couples who are pregnant after a loss experience a wide range of emotions like happiness, grief, anxiety, confusion, and relief. They also experience fear of losing the rainbow baby. Careful monitoring of the rainbow baby can help in the healthy development and birth of the rainbow baby.
