The beautiful Suzanne Broadbent, Elizabeth "Ellie" (3), Charles "Charlie" (9 months)
Suzanne had a comfortable pregnancy with Ellie but a difficult postpartum period. As she worked through the challenges of entering into motherhood with a newborn and breastfeeding challenges brought by lip and tongue ties, she developed an incredibly itchy rash over her body. Suzanne was diagnosed with postpartum PUPPP's and spiraled into a deep depression. She navigated und undiagnosed and unaddressed postpartum anxiety and depression for quite some time and says that those close to her likely still don't know, how difficult of a time it was. It took a long time for Suzanne to feel like herself again.
With Charlie, Suzanne carried 14 days post date, in prodromal labor much of that time. He was a 10 pound baby and her body is still recovering. She's working now to deal with Diastasis Recti, pelvic floor dysfunction, and lower back pain. "I didn't have the birth center birth I wanted with either baby, but I did have an amazing team of midwives supporting me".
Charlie also had tongue tie but she knew right away and addressed it much sooner. "My experiences have pushed me to support women in their own breastfeeding experiences and one day i would like to be a postpartum doula. No one really prepares you for how much your life will change as a parent; it's such a transformative and impactful experience."
"Our culture doesn't do much to support postpartum women but this project doesn't! I have hope that we can change it before our kids are parents! I have loved this project since the first time I saw one of these beautiful black and white photos and want to be part of something so amazing and supportive."