The amazing Allison Moseley with her daughter Louisa (2), she is also 21 weeks pregnancy with her second. Allison didn't expect to become a mother, particularly at the point in time when she did, so it has been quite a transition for her. She was working full time and going to school when Louisa was conceived so things need to shift very swiftly. She loves motherhood and within that thinks it's also important to discuss how much it changes you. Her first pregnancy went very well and she had hoped to have an unmedicated, vaginal birth and had prepared in part by reading Ina May and hiring a doula. Things progressed slowly once her labor began and when she was fully dilated Louisa was very high still and she was in a lot of pain, expecting to still have hours to labor. She requested and received an epidural before being told she was ready to push. Pushing was causing rapid heart deceleration in Louisa so the decision was made to deliver via cesarean. Allison says that once it began things went well and she was able to keep her daughter with her. She knew that she wanted to breastfeed but was still feeling very medicated from her surgery which made initiating difficult. After the threat of formula she says she mustered the strength and got Louisa to latch. She was a voracious nurser at first which made the first few days very painful but the two are still nursing and Louisa isn't ready to wean any time soon. Allison's current pregnancy is going well and she has felt very supported with her new care giver. She's planning for a VBAC but says she's open to a repeat cesarean if needed knowing that she has been heard and supported this time around. Allison believes in the importance of support and community and sharing our stories, she says is a great part of that.