The magnificent Melissa Mallinson with her daughter Clara Jane (9 months). Melissa has been a mother for much longer than 9 months, however, her first pregnancy ended with a loss at 13 weeks. Melissa had to have a D&C and severely grieved her first child. She became pregnant again very soon after and lost this baby as well but was able to deliver at home. Her third pregnancy was an anembryonic pregnancy. After three losses in two years, Melissa was furious. She wanted a baby so bad and knew that mothering a child was in the cards for her. Melissa ultimately went to go see a high risk specialist who wasn't able to find anything wrong, a fact she found both reassuring and frustrating. She was able to conceive again fairly quickly after seeing the specialist and her pregnancy was followed very closely for her first trimester. She had weekly blood tests and ultrasounds and was very reassured to see her daughter growing without any complications. Eventually they were content that Melissa's pregnancy would continue to progress typically and she was able to return to her regular care providers. Labor progressed without complication but Clara was sunny side up and had a difficult time coming through the birth canal, there was also meconium present in her fluid and they eventually decided to deliver via cesarean. Melissa knew she wanted to breastfeed because she felt it best for her and her baby but she didn't except to love it as much as she does and hopes to continue as long as both she and Clara desire. Melissa has always been a dancer so she was always very conscience of how her body looked and what it did for her but it has been through motherhood that she's truly been able to embrace and celebrate herself.