The JourneyRAINBOWS AND AN AFTERNOON OF COLOUR

The first thing that hits you when you enter the ParkInn is the burst of colour. Mustard sofas at the lobby and purple seats at the restaurant brighten up even the dullest of days. It helped that I was in my yellow body con and white Chichi coat courtesy of Vivo Activewear!

All of this colour was fitting for the function that The Journey With Janet with Resolution Insurance was co-hosting with Wanjiru Kihusa, founder and CEO of Still A Mum.

I made my way to the room that was going to host an afternoon of birthing tales, breastfeeding dos and donts but most importantly, Rainbow Babies. A “rainbow baby” is a baby that is born following a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or infant loss.In the real world, a beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm and gives hope of things getting better. The rainbow is more appreciated having just experienced the storm in comparison.

We indulged in bitings and had our photos taken by Gathoni Kiruthi, just before the 20 expectant mothers with rainbow babies settled into the room, where Resolution Insurance, Still A Mum, Nurturing Mums and the team behind Bouncy Baby Diapers had set up. The ParkInn Hotel provided a beautiful ambiance for us.

I opened the session and began by using an ice breaker, courtesy of Ciru Ciera of Nurturing Mums. She uses a ball of yarn and asks that you hold on to the end of the string, say your name and something unique about you and if someone else shares the same unique quality, they then hold part of the yarn and do the same. It ends up creating a weave across the room because we’re all connected. It’s great!

We then got to hear from Dr. Wakahe, a truly seasoned Gynecologist who answered questions from the mothers-to-be and gave some sound advice on, at least what stood out for me, post-partum bleeding and what to look out for. Losing more than 200 mils is a problem!

She was followed by Ciru Ciera, founder of Nurturing Mums, a Doula, a Lactation Specialist and all-round passionate about transitioning into motherhood with ease! She answered questions about labour pains and was succinct about how to get the most of your breastfeeding experience. It was fun and informative!

Resolution Insurance was represented by two Portfolio Managers headed by John Wamalwa, and they delved into the importance of cover not just for the mothers, but for their children as well. Emphasis was placed not only on the flexibility of the Medical Cover, but on the care and attention given to members. I can certainly remember how crucial the Resolution cover came in for my husband and I when I was having Huru! Many of the women in the room asked pressing questions on the cover, be sure to do the same so that you’re sorted!

The team from Bouncy Diapers wrapped up the session with some gift hampers and as Wanjiru and I concluded, I was left with a deep sense of warmth and joy for these mothers-to-be. They’ve lost their little ones who are now angels watching over them, and now they’re preparing to bring in these precious babies into the world. Wanjiru later told me it’s not easy, there is fear and anxiety but ultimately, this gift from God reassures her that life comes with its rainbows, we just have to be optimistic enough to look out for them ?