Celebrating Rainbow Baby K | In-Home Maternity Photography | Marshfield WI

I don’t pretend to know what it’s like to lose a child to a miscarriage. I’ve been lucky enough to have 2 healthy and viable pregnancies, one of which took over 2 years from when we started “trying” to actual conception, and the other which came unexpectedly sooner than originally desired (and I thank the universe all the time for that surprise that made my children 23 months apart).

Watching my special and dear friend Abby experience loss and difficulty was hard; as her friends and family continued to get pregnant and carry babies to full term, she experienced pain and longing to start her own family. After a miscarriage in 2016, Abby and Jared continued to actively try for another baby. After 1 year with no success and much discouragement, they met with a doctor to discuss their history and talk about testing. Abby walked out of that doctor's appointment emotional, feeling that she was finally being heard and that they were going to figure out what was going on. Unbeknownst to them, they conceived naturally the WEEK of their testing appointment, proceeding with the testing since they didn't know yet, and were shocked and ecstatic weeks later when they found out the happy news!

Abby is not alone. For women who know they are pregnant, about 10 to 15 in 100 pregnancies end in miscarriage but the number could be closer to 50% - a miscarriage may happen before a woman even knows she is pregnant. And her story of conceiving naturally while in the beginning stages of fertility options is ALSO common - I myself conceived naturally after I opted for some testing and just weeks before I was about to start a fertility drug.

It is for this reason that a viable pregnancy should be CELEBRATED! When I think about how so many things must align perfectly for a baby to even be conceived, let alone survive 40 weeks in the womb, it is truly remarkable. And not only should we celebrate the pregnancy, but also the body in which that child is carried: Mothers. We are so incredible. We should not feel shame for our losses. Grieving a loss is hard enough, let alone imposing ridiculous expectations on ourselves to further our pain. No. We are warriors and so are our children.

I was OVER THE MOON excited to be welcomed into Abby and Jared’s home to spend some time with them, capturing precious tender loving moments before Baby K arrives. In about a month, they will officially be parents of a boy or girl who is so loved, not only by those here on Earth but by his/her sibling in heaven. This rainbow baby is a miracle just waiting to be spoiled by 2 people who I know are going to make incredible parents. I’m getting so excited for them, remembering what it was like to hold my children in my arms for the first time and finally understand deep unconditional reckless love.

Rainbow Baby: a baby that is born following a miscarriage or still birth.

A beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm and gives hope of better things to come. The rainbow is more appreciated having just experienced the storm.

Here are some of my favorite moments from our in-home maternity session. I’ll warn you, this couple is beautiful! I’ve also included some of my favorite shots from Abby’s baby shower where Baby K was spoiled rotten by friends and family!