For Shaye Moengaroa dark times don’t last forever.

And you can feel this in her presence, she is happy and genuine- despite her shadows of grief.

As Shaye walks through the Mackay City Centre, her white dress floating in the breeze, she is holding her gorgeous daughter Zara - the light of her life.

Zara is Shaye and her husband’s James rainbow baby, after losing their first daughter Mia at 38 weeks pregnant.

Shaye is the first woman to share her story as part of JSP’s Once Upon a Female series, and it almost didn’t happen, as she nearly talked herself out of sending the email.

But we are so glad she didn’t.

Shaye’s story is powerful, raw, heartbreaking, but filled with hope,

And it is Shaye’s gift of hope that will help others who have lost a child or are going through IVF feel less alone.

“Strength comes from seeing the good in everything and finding the love in every day.

“Strong women aren’t born, they're made and unfortunately we sometimes go through things we shouldn’t have to deal with.”

“While our little rainbow baby doesn’t take away the pain of losing and missing Mia, she is amazing in her own right,” Shaye said.

Shaye said they went through five years of IVF with no pregnancies and finally she fell pregnant at the age of 39.

“Besides sore hips and gestational diabetes, everything went smoothly in the pregnancy. Nothing remarkable.

“I woke up the day before I would be 38 weeks, had some contractions like pains and went for a shower. I then started bleeding profusely.

“From there I went to hospital, we heard Mia’s heartbeat, but it dipped after every contraction.”

From there Shaye went for an emergency C-section and Mia came out pale and not breathing.

“I had a placental abruption.

“After 13 minutes of resuscitation, she started breathing”.

From there they were flown to Townsville and were told that Mia wouldn’t survive and after 30 hours in this world, she passed away.

“We were obviously very devastated. She was so wanted and longed for, and life seemed so very unfair.

“The love for our little girl was immense. She affected so many people and we felt the love from everyone.”

After six months of grieving and soul searching Shaye had turned 40 and they decided to have their very last embryo implanted.

“We held our breath hoping it would stick.

“Surely we couldn’t be lucky enough to fall pregnant twice after five years of disappointment?”

Well for Shaye and James they were.

During this pregnancy it was a very emotionally draining one for Shaye, but finally they welcomed Zara into their family.

“Another emergency C-section, because my girls like to make a dramatic entrance,” she smiled.

Shaye loves everything about motherhood, even the long, hard nights, but reminds herself they won’t last forever.

“Carrying a child is such a wonderful blessing. Be real about your emotions. Talk to your partner, your friends, your family about how you are feeling because every emotion you have is exaggerated so be kind to your mind and your body.”

When asked what bravery looks like, Shaye said being honest about how you are feeling and not worrying how you will be perceived.

“Getting up and continuing on when you feel like your world has ended.

“Love is everywhere. Sometimes it takes tragedy to really notice it and appreciate the abundance of love around you,” Shaye said.