The wonderful Kristen Yodka with her son Oliver (3.5) and daughter Matilda (5 months). Kristen has had healthy pregnancies with each of her children. She gave birth to Oliver in hospital and had a very typical experience. Everything went well, and other than some issues with oversupply breastfeeding went very well. In her postpartum period Kristen began dealing with postpartum anxiety though she didn't understand that was what was happening at the time. She had heard of postpartum depression and knew that things weren't right but also knew she wasn't depressed. Kristen says that things got so bad it eventually contributed to her split with Oliver's father. Eventually, Kristen began to feel better and after marrying her husband decided she was ready to have another child but wanted to go about things differently. She decided to give birth to Matilda at home and she came into this world in their living room without complication. Kristen says it was a wonderful experience and she is so grateful for this birth experience. She has had some concerns with postpartum anxiety in this postpartum period as well but has been prepared to deal with it differently. She no longer feels like she's a bad mother if she takes time for herself and self-care, space and exercise has made a lot of difference in her ability to cope and manage her anxiety.
Kristen wants to present a positive body image for her children and since her son was born has made a point to identify that his body is perfect just as it is. She's struggled with anorexia since she was in high school and is continually hoping to identify the love and perfection she understands in her children to herself. Replacing that dialogue is still quite a challenge, however, and she hopes that by joining this movement she can have something tangible to show her children and herself how whole and beautiful they all are.