Global Wave of Light: Honoring Your Angel(s) While Pregnant with Your Rainbow Baby

When I first heard about the Global Wave of Light, I had a lot of mixed feelings. Part of me was sad that I hadn't learned of it sooner, while another part was sure I would not have been ready to participate right away.

pregnant woman with one hand on belly, sweater raised to expose it, and lighting candles with the other hand

Whether you are pregnant with your rainbow baby or not, October 15th has the potential to be really healing or deeply painful.

IntroIf you are expecting your rainbow, see my related post:
13 Top Tips for Navigating Your Rainbow Pregnancy.

We are all in different places with our processing and our grief. What is right for some of us will not be right for all of us.

Be gentle with yourself during this time and try not to feel pressured to join in if your heart isn't ready.

But if you are able, this global event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your lost angel(s), your coming rainbow, and the many other parents out there who have suffered a similar kind of loss.

A Quick Disclaimer

Before we move on I want to state VERY CLEARLY that I am neither a Medical Health Care Provider nor a Mental Health Care Provider. Nothing I write here should be taken as medical advice. I am simply here to share my own experiences in the hope it will help someone feel less alone, and possibly avoid some of the mistakes I made along the way.

If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy or your emotional state, PLEASE seek help from a professional.

What is the Global Wave of Light?

The month of October is designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. And right in the middle, on October 15th, is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. A day dedicated to honoring all of the little ones lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death and bringing the families who have endured these losses together.

Several rings of lit candles on the ground in the dark

For more about this event, visit Awareness Days' post on it.

As the clock strikes 7:00 PM, candles are lit around the globe and left burning for at least an hour, creating a continuous wave of light that spans from time zone to time zone, spreading love and remembrance around the whole world.

The event provides a space for parents to share their stories, remember their lost babies, and connect with others who understand their journey.

It breaks the silence and isolation these kinds of losses bring about in a moment of solidarity, connection, and remembrance, acknowledging the heartache while spotlighting the pressing need for greater awareness and support.

For more about this month of awareness and remembrance, see my related post on
Navigating Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month While Pregnant Again.

The “Shoulds” of Participating

If you've read any of my other blog posts, you might already know how I feel about “shoulds.”

Get rid of them! You don't need them and you can chuck them right out the window.

If you’re considering participating in the Global Wave of Light, know that how you choose to honor your angel baby is entirely up to you.

There is no right or wrong way.

woman with long, dark hair and a pink sweater lighting a candle on her window sill

For some, lighting a candle during this global event might be a comforting way to feel connected. As you light your candle, you may want to reflect on your angel baby’s impact on your life, the love you’ll always have for them, and how they remain a part of your family’s story.

For others, the act of lighting a candle might feel like forcing yourself to confront things that are still too raw or overwhelming, especially during a rainbow pregnancy. And that’s okay too.

If the thought of participating feels like too much right now, give yourself permission to sit this one out.

October 15th will come around again and you can consider joining in at a later one. You can still hold your angel baby in your heart without participating in a formal event before you're ready.

No matter where you are in your grieving process, I encourage you to seek out the support of a counselor who is trained to work with those of us who have suffered such profound losses.

For information about how to do this, see my related post on
When to Seek Therapy During a Rainbow Pregnancy.

Ways You Can Expand on the Global Wave of Light

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and the Global Wave of Light, in and of themselves, are a great way to hold space for your grief and try to move through some of it if you are ready.

woman in green shirt sitting at a desk writing a letter

If you are feeling like you want to capitalize on the significance of this event, and use the opportunity to process some of what you are feeling and further memorialize your lost little one, here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Writing a Letter: Take a quiet moment to write a letter to your angel baby. Share your thoughts, your love, and how you’re carrying them with you through your rainbow pregnancy. Writing can be a powerful way to process grief and release emotions. If you’re using my “Two Pink Lines” journal, there’s a dedicated space for this. If you don't already have the journal and want it, there is a link to purchase it below.
  • Creating a Memory Box: If you haven’t already, consider gathering meaningful items that remind you of your baby—ultrasound photos, a special blanket, or a piece of jewelry—and place them in a memory box. You can add to it over time, and it becomes a physical way to keep your baby close.
  • Planting a Tree or Flower: Planting something in your baby’s memory can be a symbolic way of honoring them. As the tree or flowers grow, they can serve as a living reminder of your love for your angel baby, while also symbolizing the new life you’re carrying now.
black woman in long green dress bent down to plant a tree in ground covered with fallen leaves
  • A Moment of Silence: Sometimes, no action is needed at all. Simply taking a few moments of silence to sit with your emotions, your memories, and your love for your baby can be a beautiful way to participate.
  • Connecting with Others: Participating in the Global Wave of Light alongside others who have experienced similar losses can provide a sense of community and support. Whether you join a local remembrance event, an online vigil, or engage with a supportive community like our Facebook group, sharing this moment with others can ease the feeling of isolation and create a shared space for healing.
  • Sharing Your Story: If you feel ready, sharing your story can be a powerful way to both honor your angel baby and support others. Posting on social media or simply sharing with friends or family can help you process some of your own grief and raise awareness about pregnancy and infant loss. Sharing your story is not just a tribute to your baby—it can also be a source of healing for yourself and others who are walking a similar path.

Mockup of rainbow pregnancy journal for sale called "Two Pink Lines: A First-Trimester Journal for Rainbow Pregnancy"

Losing a baby is such a profoundly life-altering event. And the pregnancy that follows also comes with its own set of challenges. With weekly affirmations, thoughtful prompts, and space to explore connecting with your coming rainbow and your forever-loved angel, this journal provides support for the unique emotions and experiences that come with pregnancy after loss. Available in both printable and hyperlinked digital formats.

Remember, none of this is mandatory. If some of the suggestions above resonate with you, great! Go with it and get your healing on.

If it all feels like too much, THAT IS OK AND YOU CAN SIT THIS ONE OUT.

This is an incredibly sensitive time and this event is supposed to be healing, not harmful.

Be gentle with yourself.

Permission to Feel Your Feels

There are so many emotions that come up during this time, especially if you are pregnant with your rainbow baby.

Among some of the biggest and most persistent of those feels, is the natural tug-of-war between grief for your angel(s) and hope for your rainbow.

pregnant woman sitting in chair gazing out a window, tea and a lit candle on the table beside her

Many mommas experience guilt, wondering if they’re honoring one child more than the other.

Some days might feel heavier, with a lot more grief, while others will be more hopeful, and that’s completely normal.

Grieving or hoping for one child doesn’t diminish your love for the other. It’s okay to hold space for both. It’s okay to have moments of deep sadness while also feeling moments of hope and anticipation.

There’s no need to rush or try to force yourself into feeling a certain way. Give yourself permission to feel it all without guilt—your heart has room for both.

Healing at Your Own Pace

The Global Wave of Light is a beautiful way to honor the babies we’ve lost, but it’s also a deeply personal experience. As you move through this time, remember that your grief is valid and it is ok to hold both grief for your angel(s) and hope for your rainbow, if you can.

Lit tealight candles in a curved line, coming into sharper relief the closer they get to the camera

However you choose to navigate October 15th—whether you light a candle, reflect privately, or decide to sit it out—you're doing it right.

There is no right or wrong way to honor your loss, and whatever you decide is the right choice for you and your heart.

Throw those “shoulds” out the window (or off a cliff, or down the garbage disposal – as always, do what feels right to you).

If you’re seeking more connection or support, our community is always here to hold space for you. Feel free to join us in our private Facebook group as we honor both the past and the present together.

Before you go, I want to reiterate VERY CLEARLY that I am neither a Medical Health Care Provider nor a Mental Health Care Provider. Nothing I have written here should be taken as medical advice. PLEASE seek help from a professional if you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy or your emotional state.

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