The Rainbow Clinic - Helping Mothers Heal

You’ve waited patiently for  9 months and now your new born baby has arrived. Sadly, however it dies prematurely after birth. All your hopes and expectations of having a baby in your life have been shattered. You try however for another baby and this one survives. This is what is known as a ‘Rainbow Baby’. Simply meaning a healthy baby born after losing a previous baby which symbolises hope after a dark time. 

 

Despite the joy you now have with your new born you still experience feelings of loss and sadness in response to your first pregnancy. Help and support is now available courtesy a clinic based at Royal Preston Hospital’s Sharoe Green Maternity Unit. 

 

Known as The Rainbow Clinic it has been especially designed to provide antenatal care to women who have suffered a late miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death previously.

 

It is open every Friday morning and is a safe place where  women can meet others who have had similar experiences. This personalised approach to care is an essential support system for women who have suffered the  severe loss of their baby. 

 

Jane Boscolo-Ryan, Specialist Midwife at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust reassures women about the care programme they provide,  

 

“Often, when women have suffered huge loss such as stillbirth, neonatal death and miscarriage, they can find their next pregnancy extremely difficult and may experience anxiety-related health issues. Baby Loss Awareness Week took place last month, and we want to spread the word about our Rainbow Clinic to women in our region, to reassure them that we have a specialist service for them that will help them through their next pregnancy without forgetting what they have been through and how that might still affect them.

 

The team comprises of the following people:-

Together the team provides woman-centred care and specialised counselling services alongside intensive obstetric ultrasound monitoring.

 

Janet Cotton, Head of Midwifery at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has these comforting words for all expectant mums, 

 

“We are really proud to offer this service, as it’s one we believe that is vital for the reassurance and peace of mind of our mums-to-be. The clinic is a safe, positive space for women and staff to interact, receive care and establish relationships, and we encourage any pregnant woman who has experienced loss to attend the Rainbow Clinic”.

 

Here are a list of appropriate numbers that would help with regards to pregnant women:-

This is just a small portion of feedback from people who have had positive results from The Rainbow Clinic:-

 

“Words cannot express the gratitude I have for helping me feel safe throughout my pregnancy. You are truly super heroes, and this amazing clinic made me see there is a Rainbow at the end of the darkness.”

 

“I can’t tell you how much we appreciated your kindness, patience and understanding in our time with you. You are such as special team and a huge credit to the NHS. Thank you for playing such a huge part in completing our family.”

 

A clinic set up at Royal Preston Hospital’s Sharoe Green Maternity Unit is helping pregnant women who have suffered loss in a previous pregnancy.

 

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger