Miscarriage at 11 Weeks, now pregnant with rainbow baby!

Miscarriage at 11 Weeks, now pregnant with rainbow baby!

Miscarriage at 11 Weeks – Now Pregnant with Our Rainbow Baby

Pregnancy Journal Entry

Content warning: This post discusses miscarriage.

Brave mum-to-be Kirsty shares her experience of miscarriage at 11 weeks and her journey into a new pregnancy — her rainbow baby.

8 Weeks Pregnant

Baby is the size of: An olive

Our First Pregnancy and Miscarriage

My husband and I are both healthy 30-year-olds who began trying for a baby in August 2020. We were lucky enough to fall pregnant relatively quickly in January 2021, even though at the time it felt like forever.

I contacted a recommended midwife and we arranged our first appointment at around seven weeks. Because we were actively trying and I had regular cycles, we opted not to have a dating scan.

The first appointment went well. We felt supported. I had mild nausea and tiredness, but nothing extreme. We were looking forward to our 12-week scan.

At 11 weeks and 2 days, I started bleeding.

I messaged my midwife immediately. She arranged an urgent scan for Monday and told me to keep her updated. Over the weekend, the bleeding became heavier and I developed strong cramps.

At the scan, the sonographer told us she could see a collapsing gestational sac and a foetal pole measuring approximately 5 weeks 3 days, with no heartbeat.

My husband and I went home and waited for our midwife to call.

She never did.

On Monday evening, I miscarried naturally at home.

After the Miscarriage

A week later, my midwife finally returned my call. I was too angry to answer. I texted her explaining how disappointed I was in the lack of follow-up and care. My GP took over from there.

She arranged follow-up blood tests to ensure my HCG levels returned to normal, offered counselling, and explained what to expect physically and emotionally.

My husband and I both work in healthcare, so we understood what was “normal” and when to seek help. But no one should be expected to go through miscarriage without proper guidance and follow-up care.

Miscarriage is more common than many people realise. It is also deeply personal, painful, and isolating.

Trying Again

After two normal cycles, we decided to “stop not trying”. We fell pregnant the first month.

We were happy. And anxious.

A close friend recommended an obstetrician after hearing about our experience. So far, our care has been completely different.

I am currently 8 weeks and 2 days. I feel very sick — but very grateful.

We had some early spotting, so our OB brought us in at 6 weeks 4 days. We saw our tiny baby and a strong heartbeat.

We had an official dating scan yesterday. Everything is looking great.

This baby is our rainbow after a very real storm.

If You’re Walking This Road

Miscarriage can leave you grieving not just a baby, but a future you had already imagined.

If you are currently pregnant after loss, your joy may feel mixed with fear. That is normal.

You can hold both hope and anxiety at the same time.

In New Zealand, support is available through your GP, midwife, obstetrician, and organisations such as Sands NZ.

Gentle Affirmations for Pregnancy After Loss

  • This is a new pregnancy, not a repeat of the last one.
  • Today, I am pregnant.
  • My anxiety does not predict the outcome.
  • I can allow hope in, little by little.

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Record Your Own Journey

Every pregnancy story deserves space — whether filled with grief, relief, fear, or joy.

Explore the Pregnancy Journal – NZ Made With Love to gently document your own experience.

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