Photographic series captures the emotional journey of miscarriage and infertility.
For many women who have experienced a miscarriage, rainbow baby photos serve as a beacon of hope for future parenthood. However, what about those who are not currently attempting to conceive but are still grappling with the profound emotions that come in the aftermath of a pregnancy loss?
After enduring three miscarriages and six months of unsuccessful fertility treatments, Sarah Collins was informed that in vitro fertilization (IVF) was her final opportunity to carry a pregnancy. Heartbroken, Collins sought a means to articulate her feelings before determining her next steps towards motherhood. She enlisted the help of Las Vegas-based photographer Mia James of Dreamscape Photography to document her experiences through a poignant photo shoot.
Mia resonated with Sarah’s pain on a personal level. Though she has two lovely children, Mia always envisioned herself as the mother of four. “When my son turned two, we were open to the idea of getting pregnant again,” she shares. After two years of trying for a third child, she suffered a miscarriage. “After having two healthy pregnancies, the doctors were perplexed. They ran several tests and ultimately diagnosed me with PCOS.” Due to her irregular ovulation, Mia has largely given up on the idea of expanding her family. “Even though I only experienced one miscarriage, the emotional scars remain with me always,” she adds.
The inspiration for the photographs was a collaborative effort. “When Sarah first approached me about this session, I jotted down all the emotions I experienced after my own miscarriage. The only way I could describe those feelings was as a tornado,” Mia explains. “There are so many ups and downs. At times, I’d find myself sitting in silence, feeling as if my heart was twisting. The tornado represents that heart-wrenching emotional turmoil.”
Sarah has come to see the poppy as a symbol of her personal struggle, given that baby books often describe a pregnancy at four weeks as being the size of a poppy seed. All of her pregnancies ended in early miscarriage, and she is determined to move beyond the poppyseed. She maintains a blog titled Beyond the Poppyseed, where she shares her experiences with infertility and loss.
Mia hopes the photos provide insight into the emotions surrounding miscarriage. “You truly can’t comprehend what it’s like until you experience it yourself. Sometimes, well-meaning words can be unintentionally hurtful,” she observes. “When a woman learns that she may not be able to have her own children, it’s an incredibly painful reality to face, often accompanied by shame and internal conflict. Experiencing one or multiple losses can be a heavy burden to bear. Women facing these challenges deserve support, not unsolicited advice.”
One of the photos beautifully intertwines Sarah’s symbol of her losses, the poppy, with a rainbow, representing her continued hope for a rainbow baby.
The photo shoot proved to be an emotional journey for both Mia and Sarah. “There were moments when we walked in silence from one location to the next. I found myself tearing up multiple times during the shoot and even more while editing,” she reflects. “It was both therapeutic and heartbreaking. I feel destined to do this kind of work. Even when the stories are difficult, it’s my responsibility to tell them.”
For those interested in exploring more about home insemination, consider visiting this resource. Additionally, Make a Mom offers expert insights on fertility topics. For further reading on pregnancy and related subjects, Medical News Today serves as an excellent resource.
In summary, the emotional weight of pregnancy loss and infertility is immense, yet through shared experiences and creative expression, women like Sarah and Mia are finding ways to process their pain and hold onto hope for the future.