The wonderful Susan Hawkins with her daughter Lola (7) and son Bennett (17 months). Susan had an uneventful pregnancy until around 28 weeks when she was monitored very closely for preeclampsia. She had non-stress tests multiple times a week from there on and was induced at 40 weeks. Susan says that she wasn't at all ready to deliver and after 48 hours of labor she almost had a seizure and was rushed in for a cesarean. Lola was hospitalized after birth for what turned out to be a urinary tract infection. Susan found the recovery from labor and her surgery to be difficult and was only able to stay at the hospital with her daughter during the day time so she chose to begin pumping exclusively. She was told by doctors and others that she'd never be able to do it but was able to provide enough breastmilk for her daughter to make it until her first birthday. Susan had a healthy second pregnancy and found a midwife who supported her decision to have a VBAC. At 38 weeks her son was breech so she had an external version to turn him back to head down position. She went into labor naturally and things were progressing well but after pushing for several hours it was determined that her son was stuck. She was given the choice between using forceps to assist the delivery or performing a cesarean and she chose to have the repeat cesarean. During the surgery her sons shoulder was cut, the doctors say because her uterus was so thin it could have ruptured and it was determined that he had been positioned with the side of his head engaged. Susan was determined to breastfeed directly this time but after a week of him screaming with every latch she decided to pump exclusively once again. At 13 months it was determined that Bennett had a severe lip tie which may have contributed to his difficulty nursing. Susan is still pumping for him and hopes to make it until his second birthday. She has had a difficult time processing the fact that her births and breastfeeding experiences weren't what she had hoped they would be and has recently sought the help of a therapist to work through her feelings which she has found incredibly helpful.