by Whitney Barthel posted in Parenting

A rainbow baby is one born after a miscarriage or stillbirth. There is a particular description that has floated around the BabyCenter Community for years that is particularly lovely:
"Rainbow Babies" is the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn't mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy, and hope.

In December of 2015, Lila and Tim had started trying to conceive their third child. When they eventually saw ?those magical two pink lines,? they were overjoyed. Then, about a week after their positive test, Lila felt severe pain and went in to see her doctor immediately. The doctor confirmed her worst fears: a tubal pregnancy.
Despite close observation, Lila?s right fallopian tube ruptured and she was rushed into the operating room to undergo a tubal ligation.
Lila told birth photographer Laura Fifield, ?I was heartbroken and my husband was terrified at the thought that he had almost lost his wife and mother to his children. Through tear-filled eyes I cried out to God asking 'why"' I was scared and confused. I got only one response 'through this I will bring joy.'"
The couple were able to conc...