The Rainbow Clinic

Consultant Obstetrician and midwife performing a ultrasound on a pregnant woman.

Supporting families through pregnancy after the loss of a baby

The Rainbow Clinic at Birmingham Women’s Hospital provides specialist care for women and families who are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant following the loss of a baby. We understand that becoming pregnant again after loss can bring a mixture of hope, anxiety and uncertainty. Every pregnancy is different, and every family’s experience is unique.

Our team provide consultant-led care and is committed to providing personalised, compassionate care based on your previous pregnancy and current needs. and expert support. The clinic combines expert obstetric care with emotional support, recognising that pregnancy after loss is both a medical and deeply personal journey.

We aim to ensure you feel heard, informed and supported, while tailoring your care to your individual needs and previous pregnancy experiences.

Clinic location: Birmingham Women’s Hospital
Clinic days: Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons

Who is The Rainbow Clinic for?

The Rainbow Clinic may be suitable if you have previously experienced:

  • Stillbirth
  • Late miscarriage
  • Neonatal death
  • Loss associated with fetal growth restriction or placental complications
  • Pregnancy affected by significant fetal abnormalities
  • Other complex pregnancy losses where specialist follow-up is appropriate

If you are unsure whether the Rainbow Clinic is right for you, please speak to your GP, community midwife or hospital team.

The Rainbow Clinic Team

The Rainbow Clinic brings together healthcare professionals with expertise in caring for families after baby loss.

Depending on your individual needs, your care may involve:

  • Consultant Obstetricians
  • Rainbow Midwife
  • Specialist Sonographers
  • Bereavement Midwives
  • Fetal Medicine Specialists
  • Neonatal teams
  • Anaesthetic, physician or other specialist teams where appropriate

By working together, we aim to provide coordinated care throughout your pregnancy.

Dr Samiramis Saba – Consultant Obstetrician and Rainbow Service Lead
Dr Leo Gurney – Consultant in Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Specialist Rainbow Midwife - Michelle Plant 

Planning another pregnancy

For many families, questions begin long before a new pregnancy.

We offer specialist preconception appointments for women who are planning another pregnancy following baby loss. These appointments provide an opportunity to review your previous pregnancy in detail, discuss any investigations or results, identify any factors that may reduce future risks and develop a personalised plan before conception.

The appointment also provides time to discuss any concerns or questions you may have and ensure you feel as prepared as possible before trying for another pregnancy.

Care during pregnancy

Your care will be tailored to your individual circumstances and may include:

  • Early review in pregnancy
  • A personalised care plan
  • Consultant-led antenatal care and scans, including an ultrasound scan at 17 or 23 weeks (depending on the circumstances of your loss) and then at regular intervals throughout pregnancy.
  • Support from our dedicated Rainbow Midwife
  • Additional ultrasound scans where clinically appropriate
  • Monitoring of your baby’s growth and wellbeing
  • Individualised planning for labour and birth
  • Emotional support throughout pregnancy
  • The number of appointments and scans you receive will depend on your previous pregnancy history and your current pregnancy.

Referrals

Referrals to the Rainbow Clinic can be made by:

  • General Practitioners (GPs)
  • Community Midwives
  • Hospital Consultants
  • Specialist Midwives
  • Other healthcare professionals

If you think you may benefit from the Rainbow Clinic, please discuss this with your healthcare professional.

Further Resources

Bereavement Support

The Bereavement Team consists of specialist Midwives and Nurses who are here to support you and your partner. 

Women's Hospital Bereavement Services

Emotional Wellbeing

We recognise that pregnancy after loss can be emotionally challenging. Many parents describe feeling both excitement and anxiety throughout their pregnancy. These feelings are entirely understandable.

Our team understands these challenges and aims to provide compassionate support alongside your medical care. Where additional support would be beneficial, we can also signpost you to specialist services and charities.