By Hannah Schenker
Losing a pregnancy or a child is an immensely difficult thing to go through, and for some it is not just one child, but several. These losses are so heartbreaking, it is not really something you can comprehend unless you have been through it.
But some women have their dreams answered and get pregnant again, and are able to carry their miracle child to term. These children are often referred to as “rainbow babies”, and Alex Bolen of Shutter Darling Photography has captured six mothers and their rainbow babies to perfection.
On her Facebook page, accompanying this photo, Alex says,
“A rainbow is a promise
of sunshine after rain
of calm after storms
of joy after sadness
of peace after pain
of love after loss.
A rainbow baby is a baby born following loss. These mommas are just 6 out of the millions that experience pregnancy/infant loss every day. Some speak out. Some stay silent. Some have lost many. Some try for months or years. Some meet their sleeping angels. All loved and never forgotten.
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This one photo has been shared more than 11,000 times, truly “going viral”, showing that people all over are connecting to her message.
We spoke to Alex, asking whether she has children of her own and how she came to eventually make this incredible photograph.
“I had my daughter Haven in March. I’m a part of a ton of new-mom groups and many were suffering miscarriages and loss after birth; it became apparent to me that loss was real. Really real. I became so scared.
“I quickly learned about the term rainbow baby as I became a part of the momma community and I just could not believe how many of these incredible stories were just swept under the rug. It blew my mind. I knew I had to do something.
“The shoot idea grew together piece by piece and I truly believe it was perfect. I wanted to find six unique stories and that’s what I did…I reached out to my personal Facebook connections, looking for rainbow moms and found six moms whose stories all had different paths but the same outcome loss and love. They have suffered the worst, yet the the most magical thing ever.
“I’m so beyond proud of this photo and how it has brought together thousands of moms and their stories, it truly is a career-changing moment. Going viral is one thing but to hear some of these moms say the photo brought them to tears…I’m just speechless.”
Thank you Alex for sharing your beautiful photograph and words with us, and for spreading the message of keeping the love for the lost babies in our hearts. Alex has generously shared a photo of each of these beautiful women, for us to share with you!
