New mum’s precious first Christmas with baby girl
For mum Layla, Christmas this year has been a real joy – spending precious time with her newborn daughter after tragically suffering a stillbirth 17 years ago.
She was convinced she would never have children again but following the intervention of a specialist team of medics from Birmingham Women’s Hospital, she welcomed little Kaia into the world in May.
Doctors and midwives working within the Rainbow Clinic, funded by our Charity, gave tailored care to Layla throughout her pregnancy which led to the safe delivery of her baby.
She recalled: “The Rainbow Clinic was a safe space for women like me.
“The moment I stepped into that room with the staff, I felt heard. They didn’t just look at my notes, they saw me and my story. For over a decade, I told people I didn’t want children, but in truth, I was petrified and hurt.
“I never really thought I’d be able to have children, but Kaia has been a true miracle.”
Layla became pregnant for the first time back in 2008, before sadly having a stillbirth on Christmas Day whilst abroad. She never told family or friends what had happened.
She said: “After the stillbirth, I didn’t tell anyone. I buried the pain, locked it away and built a wall around myself.
“When I found out I was pregnant for the second time in 2024 my whole world stopped and my mind instantly went to jelly. It made me question everything.
“Just as I told my close friends and family at eight weeks, I miscarried at 10. It was crushing.”
Later that year, Layla then found out she was pregnant for a third time and was seen by a community midwife, who she was able to open up to about her past.
She was then referred to The Rainbow Clinic at 20 weeks pregnant, where she was seen by Dr Samiramis Saba Consultant Obstetrician, and midwife Michelle Plant.
Layla said: “At first, I felt really unworthy of the support.
“I felt there were women who had been through more than me, who deserved more care, more attention. I convinced myself that if I lost another baby, I’d survive, but the truth was mentally I was hitting a wall.
“Sami and Michelle were incredible. They supported me, and alongside my partner who came to every appointment, they gave me so much confidence.”
She gave birth to her first daughter, Kaia, who was born happy and healthy.
She said: “Kaia was delivered safely and gave me a loud cry, which as a parent you long to hear. After she was born, Sami said she’d pop by in the evening, which she didn’t have to do. I saw a face peep through the curtain and emotions flooding through me. It meant so much to me that she came to say hello.”
Kaia is now six months old and is thriving at home. Layla added: “Kaia is a reminder of how precious life can be.
“It's been half a year of trying to navigate life with a whole extra human but I can't wait to carry on filling her world with magic, happiness and love.”
Dr Samiramis Saba, Consultant Obstetrician, said: “The Rainbow Clinic is a dedicated space for families navigating pregnancy after stillbirth which was funded by our Charity.
“We offer specialist, consultant-led care that centres not only on medical safety but on rebuilding trust, confidence and hope. Every family’s story matters and we take time to understand their history, their fears and their priorities alongside their clinical risk.
“Our support can begin at the very start of their journey, even before they conceive. By assessing risk factors, we can plan investigations and start treatments early to have personalised approaches to improve outcomes.
“It’s a privilege to walk alongside families as they move from fear to trusting in our research and expertise, and Layla’s story reflects exactly why the clinic exists.”