The radiant Carlie Rockwell and Graham (18 months).
Carlie had a wonderful pregnancy with Graham and felt more beautiful than she ever had before. Her doctor was wonderful and she trusted her judgment when she recommended that they induce on her due date due to concerns for Graham's size and her ability to get him through the tilt of her pelvis. Her induction took well and she progressed to 9cms without any additional interventions. She requested an epidural and pushed for about 90 minutes but there was meconium present and Grahams heart rate began decelerating so they decided to delivery via cesarean.
Carlie began to cry and said that she was terrified but her nurses were amazing. They told her that she had two minutes to cry and get it all out but that she was going to get to meet her baby soon. She was still frightened and cold being away from her mom and husband but the delivery went well. She was able to meet her baby and was overcome with joy but in the weeks after, she began to struggle.
Carlie didn't recognize her body and felt physically and emotionally deflated following her sons birth. It took her some time to realize that the reason she had felt so wonderful during her pregnancy was because she was so confident. She was so proud of herself and her body for creating and carrying her baby and that had somehow shifted. She soon realized that other than carrying her son in her arms, the most important thing she carries with her is her confidence. Carlie hopes that participating in this movement captures that for her as she's move forward.