Miscarriages to miracles: Shortland Street star Rebekah Randell’s redemption baby

Rebekah and Bevan’s path to parenthood hasn’t been easy. Photo / Amalia Osborne

When Rebekah discovered she was pregnant again at the end of last year, excitement was tempered by fear.

“The beginning was really turbulent,” she recalls, after experiencing cramping and bleeding early in the pregnancy. “We weren’t optimistic that it would last. We were trying to protect our hearts and didn’t allow ourselves to get excited.”

The pregnancy also coincided with Rebekah’s six-week return to Shorty, where she reprised her role as Dawn Robinson. Keeping her pregnancy secret while battling relentless morning sickness made for some long days on set.

She laughs, “I loved being back, but I felt horrible! I was throwing up all the time, but I didn’t tell anyone what was going on. I’m sure everyone just thought I was a zombie.”

As the weeks passed and the bleeding settled, Rebekah slowly began allowing herself to hope. It wasn’t until the all-important 20-week scan that she believed she and Bevan were going to welcome another baby.

“I could finally acknowledge that this was real. I’d put up such a big wall because I wanted to protect myself.”

Rebekah with Isla and Bonnie. Photo / Amalia Osborne

On January 14, it was finally time to meet their baby, whose sex they had kept as a surprise.

After Isla was born via emergency Caesarean, Rebekah had an elective C-section booked at Auckland Hospital. Understandably, she arrived feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. But she and Bevan were delighted to find the same anaesthetist on duty from two years before when Isla was born.

“We couldn’t believe it!” she says. “We’d been saying wouldn’t it be amazing if Henry was there again, because he’d made a scary situation so much easier. And then there he was, and suddenly I felt much more confident and reassured that we’d be OK.”

Just before noon, their 3.2kg baby girl was born.

Bonnie’s middle name, Christine, honours Bevan’s mum. Photo / Amalia Osborne

“I got the absolute best surprise of my life when they told me she was a girl,” laughs Rebekah. “Everyone was convinced it was a boy. It took Bevan a few seconds to process because he’d already started imagining taking his son out for a beer one day. But he’s such a natural girl dad.”

Bonnie’s middle name, Christine, honours Bevan’s mum, making her name even more special.

Introducing Bonnie to Isla was a moment Rebekah had dreamed about throughout her pregnancy and she couldn’t have asked for a sweeter big sister. She was relieved that Isla took the change in her stride, with no sign of jealousy.

“We’ve made sure to involve Isla in everything so she’s never felt left out. She’s been incredible – really loving and so helpful. Today Bonnie did a huge spew and before I knew it, Isla was saying, ‘I’ve got it, Mum,’ and running off to get the wipes.”

The actress’s two daughters already adore each other. Photo / Amalia Osborne

The sisters already adore one another. While energetic Isla is always on the go, Bonnie is more content to quietly observe the world around her, especially when her big sister is making her laugh.

“Watching them interact is the best feeling in the world,” says Rebekeh. “Isla can make Bonnie giggle and it just melts my heart. Bonnie thinks her sister is the funniest person.

“The most beautiful thing about siblings is you get to share everything with them. And then when you’re older, you’ve got each other for life. I love that Bonnie won’t know a life without Isla, and that they’ll always have each other and be there for each other. Sisterhood is so special.”

Having experienced pregnancy loss, Rebekah says she’s learnt to see building a family as a journey rather than something guaranteed.

“Once you’re open about miscarriage, you hear so many other people’s stories. You realise fertility isn’t always straightforward and having a family is a journey rather than something that just happens.”

Those difficult experiences have only deepened Rebekah’s gratitude for the kids she has today. While she’ll happily audition for acting roles when the right opportunity comes along, for now there’s nowhere she’d rather be than at home with Isla and Bonnie.

“I love being a mum so much. Isla’s not in daycare, so it’s me and the girls every day. We do playdates, dance, we go for fluffies and Playcentre, and I genuinely love it. I love it all!

“Of course, there are toddler tantrums, and days when everyone’s crying and you’re completely overwhelmed. But I can’t imagine life without them. It’s the best job in the world. There is nowhere else I’d rather be right now. And I know when I’m 80, I’ll be like, ‘Those were the best days of my life.’”