A RHYL resident who gave birth to her ‘rainbow baby’ during lockdown after recurrent miscarriages is sharing her story as a message of hope during Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Taking place between October 9 and 15, the event, now in its 18th year, aims to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby death in the UK.

This year, it is focusing on the isolation many people experience after pregnancy and baby loss – women, partners, other family members and friends.

Rhyl-based Vision Board coach Lisa Williams, 34, says she wants to share her message of hope with other couples.

Lisa had three miscarriages following the birth of her first daughter Alysa, who is now seven years old.

But, just weeks before her dream wedding to husband Philip Williams In November 2019, the couple found out they were expecting their rainbow baby - Talia-Beau.

Rhyl Journal:

PICTURE: Lisa with daughters Alysa, 7, Talia-Beau and husband Phil Williams.

Lisa expected a journey of anxiety during her pregnancy with having her history of miscarriages. But, what she didn’t expect was to also have Covid19 thrown into the mix as well.

At 24 weeks pregnant, she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes which meant more hospital checks.

She says attending hospital appointments alone without her husband made her anxious and apprehensive. Sitting alone while waiting for scans was worrying especially due to her history of miscarriages. Towards the latter end of Lisa’s pregnancy, her scan appointments had been moved to the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) where Lisa had had several times been treated for her miscarriages.

Lisa said: "Watching the medics drop patients off while sitting in the car waiting to be called in for my appointment was like seeing something in a horror film, it just felt very surreal and I just sat and cried.

“Pregnancy after loss is a rollercoaster of emotions. During any pregnancy after loss, your emotional vibrations are up and down.

"I want to share my story to help other women who have and are still experiencing this emotional rollercoaster.

“I experienced hope, fear, and anxiety, but I used my visionary skills to remain positive - even when my pregnancy experience was heightened during the pandemic.

"After so much grief and loss from previous miscarriages, my rosy view of pregnancy had been stripped away. My daughter Talia-Beau feels like a miracle and we are so happy to have finally welcomed her to complete our family.”

Each year, Lisa holds a charity event to fundraise for The Miscarriage Association, she also organised a small gathering at Rhyl sky tower on baby loss awareness week in 2019.

However, this year with social distancing in place, she has not been able to arrange anything. Instead, she is urging people to light a candle on October 15 at 7 pm to join in the national ‘Wave of Light’ campaign to raise awareness for Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Lisa has also put together some beautiful collection boxes which include an ‘Angel Moments’ candle and wish bracelet, with all proceeds for these collections will be donated to The Miscarriage Association.

If you would like to donate to the charity by purchasing one of these collections, you can contact Lisa or purchase via her website www.lisawilliams-lmg.co.uk.