Our little Bean

As we near the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2019, nothing has made me happier than hearing about the safe arrival of one of our very own Mums rainbow baby's... "Our second rainbow baby boy was born on Thursday 10/10, 7lb 2.5oz. All doing well apart from no name yet!"

Congratulations Rebecca. I'm so incredibly happy for your family.

Please read her story, about how the loss of her first born son Bean encouraged her to found her local Cambridge Sands and Sunshines and Rainbow's groups.

We were excited to expect our first child, a boy, in autumn of 2016. In early August of that year I went to the Rosie with mild concerns about movements; I was really looking for reassurance but following a scan a consultant said the heart breaking words "I'm sorry but there is no heartbeat, your baby has died". I was numb with shock and disbelief - I didn't know babies just died like that. I somehow managed to call my husband who came straight down. I was induced and gave birth to my eldest son on 7th August.

We named our son Bean as that was what we called him during pregnancy and continued to call him after he was born. Picking a name off a list for paperwork - we hadn't decided on a name by the time he was born at 31 weeks - seemed too formal and grown up for him. We simply named him what we had always called him.

Flyer for Sunshines and Rainbows Playgroup

Since Bean's birth I have got involved in groups and organisations to raise awareness of baby loss; I have attended Rosie Maternity Voices service users group, am a founding committee member of Cambridgeshire Sands and run a monthly baby and toddler group for parents and carers affected by baby loss. Our second son was born just under a year after Bean's birth and we are expecting a third son in early October 2019.

Parents who raise awareness about baby loss, or any issue, do not want to make expectant parents fearful that their baby may unexpectedly die, but it is a misconception that babies that die in utero must have a problem or reason why they have died. In many cases a reason is not found and by making expectant parents aware that baby loss such as stillbirth can happen to anyone, we can try and prevent more cases and more parents joining the club no-one wants to be a part of.

The blanket Rebecca crocheted for Bean and was excited for him to have

The blanket I crocheted for Bean and was excited for him to have - something I had made for him, despite not being a creative person. The lamb we gave him because a day or two after he was born, I realised I didn't have a toy for him which made me really upset because one of the first things you give a baby is a toy and i didn't have this for him. The lamb I had at home so this became his and we bought a duplicate, so this one stayed with him (along with the blanket) and the duplicate lamb we still have as Beany's Lamb. This became an important symbol for us over the next few months and years, as a way of connecting with him and remaining close.

The rings picture I took the night we were told Bean had died - you can kind of see I am still pregnant in the picture. We made a conscious decision there and then to remain together and strong and it was hard at times, and we didn't always see things in the same way but this picture reminds me that we agreed to be strong, together.

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12 Day Christmas Giveaway - Day 4

by Joanne Lewis • 4 December 2020

A picture of Santa and me...

12 Day Christmas Giveaway - Day 3

by Joanne Lewis • 3 December 2020

... Buy one, Get one Free*

12 Day Christmas Giveaway - Day 2

by Joanne Lewis • 2 December 2020

... a second print using the same photo for free*

12 Day Christmas Giveaway - Day 1

by Joanne Lewis • 1 December 2020

... a mounted print of a photo she's created for me*

Unbelievable Photography deals Black Friday 2020

by Joanne Lewis • 26 November 2020

I couldn't let Black Friday 2020 go by without some amazing deals for my wonderful and valued customers... I've missed you all so much this year, but have loved the few shoots I was able to squeeze in between lockdowns and Home Education. With all the optimism I can muster for next year (I am naturally a pretty positive person) I am offering some spectacular deals on vouchers for my Hertford Studio and outdoor or on-location sessions next year (packages may be given as gifts, but please confirm preferred locations around Hertfordshire and some parts of London, Cambridgeshire and Essex with me before booking).