The amazing Brittney Austin with her children Scarlett (5), Myla (4) and Wyatt (18 mo). Brittney had her first pregnancy when she was just 16. She wasn't supposed to get pregnant and wasn't prepared for everything to be swept under the rug when she miscarried the baby at 8 weeks. She wasn't allowed to talk about it and everyone acted as if it had never happened. Three years later she was pregnant with Scarlett and things went very well. She had planned a medicated hospital birth and that's what she had. She was able to breastfeed Scarlett for her first year of life. Her pregnancy with Myla was healthy as well and she had a fast labor with epidural again and another successful breastfeeding experience. They waited a while before conceiving Wyatt and she had a healthy pregnancy again up until about 25 weeks. She had been having some pain but her doctor said it was likely just round ligament. She was sitting on her porch and went to move but was suddenly paralyzed with pain. She couldn't move and had to call the paramedics. The hospital told her it was just a sprain and sent her home. Afterwards she went home to research and realized she likely had pubic symphysis dysfunction. She fired her doctor and hired a midwife instead. She studied hypnobirthing and hoped to have a natural delivery this time. Wyatt was transverse near term but they were able to turn him with spinning babies and when he was ready to arrive he came very quickly. Brittney actually delivered him in triage without any interventions and says she felt she could do absolutely anything afterward. She and Wyatt are continuing to enjoy a breastfeeding relationship today. She chose to participate so she could hopefully learn to embrace her body that she has had a hard time being happy with and also to talk about the loss of her first pregnancy and shed some light on what young mothers can go through.
