Have you ever heard someone talk about their "rainbow baby" before? A rainbow baby is a little one who came into this world after a previous baby left it. Usually, a rainbow baby is born after an older sibling was miscarried or stillborn.
For too many years, moms were afraid to talk about the painful experiences of losing a pregnancy. Now, rainbow babies are giving moms everywhere a way to have those difficult conversations about infant and pregnancy loss.
Instead of focusing on the grief of losing a little one, parents can focus on the beautiful ray of hope after the storm, their beautiful rainbow.
The latest mom raising awareness about birth after a miscarriage is a nurse and wife named Jamie Otis. Some folks may also recognize her from the debut episode of Married at First Sight.
She and her husband Doug Hehner met on the reality show and are still happily married today.
The only cloud over their happiness was their tragic miscarriage just under a year ago. But now, Jamie and Doug have finally spotted their "rainbow."
[H/T: Woman's Day]
Jamie Otis and hubby Doug Hehner made a huge splash on the internet recently when they announced that they were expecting.
This will be a second pregnancy, after losing their first baby at four months.
Now, Jamie wants to start a conversation for moms everywhere about celebrating a new baby after miscarriage, even when it feels too soon.
Jamie suspected she was pregnant a few weeks back, but waited anxiously for confirmation before telling her husband.
Doug and Jamie lost a baby they'd named Johnathon at just four months into the pregnancy. Because of this, Jamie wanted to be extra sure that she was really pregnant.
This little rainbow baby even has a sense of symbolic timing. Doctors confirmed the pregnancy on what would have been Johnathon's due date.
Jamie decided to use that unexpected coincidence in telling her husband about the little one on the way.
She wrote him a note that read: "Dear Daddy, my big brother, Johnny, told me today was the day he was due to be with you and mommy. He wasn't able to be here so he sent me instead."
The note continues: "He doesn't want you to be sad during the holidays without him; instead be happy because he gave me to you! I can't wait to meet you in August! Love, Baby Hehner."
When Jamie was pregnant with Johnathon, every doctor's appointment and sonogram was a huge source of joy.
Though Johnathon never made it into this world, we have no doubt that his baby brother or sister will help his parents feel that same kind of joy all over again!
Jamie is also encouraging other moms to come forward and be open and honest about their pregnancy-loss stories.
Her new baby is only 10 weeks along, but she decided to announce her pregnancy in the first trimester anyway.
She didn't want to spend her first trimester assuming she would miscarry again; she wanted to celebrate, confident that her new little one is happy and healthy!
She doesn't want to assume that this pregnancy will also be a miscarriage. Instead, she writes: "There is so much talk around if you lose the baby. I would rather focus on the excitement of having the baby. Whether this baby grows or not, I love it and want to share it for as long as he or she is here."
She adds that other moms should be open about their losses, and about their rainbow babies, too.
When you have recently experienced a miscarriage, knowing that another mom has gotten pregnant again can give you hope.
Now, this couple that met under surprising circumstances are getting ready to be parents once more.
If you are delighted to hear about their little rainbow of joy, make sure to SHARE this story with friends and family!
