Chasing Rainbows is a charity dedicated to creating a safe space for conversations about pregnancy and baby loss. We’ve been big fans of their mission here at OVUM, so we chatted with founder Mia Thompson to learn more about her journey and the support available for women experiencing such heartbreaking loss. Let’s dive in!
Can you share how and when you founded Chasing Rainbows?
After my own experiences with fertility in 2017 and 2018, where I went through four miscarriages, I started a blog to document my feelings. Writing became a therapeutic outlet, but I felt isolated and unable to express my thoughts openly. I never planned to share it publicly, but during Baby Loss Awareness Week in 2017, the wave of light on social media encouraged me to publish my posts. Within 48 hours, I had thousands of readers worldwide, and my inbox was flooded with messages from women who resonated with my experiences. In 2019, after welcoming my first child, Leo, I felt compelled to do more to advocate for baby loss and foster peer support. Just as the lockdown began in April 2020, Chasing Rainbows was officially registered as a charity, and it has blossomed beyond anything I could have imagined back when I was navigating those tough times.
What kind of support does Chasing Rainbows provide, and how is it funded?
Chasing Rainbows aims to normalize discussions around pregnancy loss and help women feel less alone. We offer peer support groups, valuable information, and awareness campaigns to assist those dealing with recurrent miscarriage, pregnancy loss, and infertility. Our peer groups empower women with knowledge and experience, helping them advocate for themselves during their fertility journeys. We also provide memory bracelets and pregnancy-after-loss medical note stickers to hospitals for women who have experienced loss. The charity is entirely self-funded through donations from our founder and those who benefit from our services, who wish to give back.
What are three key things you wish those who haven’t experienced baby loss understood better?
First, validating our grief is crucial. Often, all we want is for our loss to be acknowledged – unsolicited advice isn’t helpful.
Second, the language we use matters. We don’t appreciate phrases like “at least…” or “bless you.” There’s no silver lining to losing a child.
Lastly, if we seem distant or struggle to celebrate others’ pregnancy news, it’s not a lack of happiness for you. It’s our own grief, and we just need time and understanding to navigate our feelings.
What challenges does the trying-to-conceive community face today, especially regarding recurrent miscarriage, and how can they ensure they receive proper care from the NHS?
Historically, women had to go through three miscarriages before getting a referral for help from the NHS. Some areas have started offering support after two losses for women over 35. Thankfully, recent parliamentary reviews may change this, allowing referrals after just one loss. This new approach is being piloted in places like Birmingham. However, it will take time to implement all the recommendations. My best advice? Advocate for yourself. Be proactive with your GP about running tests or requesting referrals. You know your journey best!
For more insights on this topic, check out our other blog post about excited moms-to-be and their experiences with at-home insemination here. If you’re looking for quality resources, Make a Mom offers kits that can help with home insemination, and ACOG provides excellent information on infertility treatments.
In summary, Mia’s passion for supporting women through the pain of pregnancy loss is evident in her work with Chasing Rainbows. By fostering open conversations and providing crucial resources, she is making a real difference in the lives of so many.