Kimberly Novod (38 - she/her). Mother to Saul (pictured - died at 20 days old in 2014) and Josephine (2)
New Orleans, LA
“I’ve been pregnant four times, given birth twice, and have one living child.
How has parenthood impacted your body image?
When my son was born prematurely and died in 2014, I lost trust in my body. I really felt that it had let me and my son down.
After that, it took me 3 years, a lot of psycho-social support, and blind faith to attempt motherhood again. It was in a Pilates class taught by Alicia Stewart at the 92nd Street Y in NYC, that I began to rebuild trust in my body. I felt that my body was strong, capable, and beautiful in her classes. I credit Alicia’s spirit with the current relationship that I have with my body. She helped me to be grateful for my body, it’s ability to create, carry, and nurture two beautiful children and sustain me in the face of the most devastating loss in my life. For that, the appreciation and the commitment to always take care of my body, I’ll always be thankful to it and to her.
What is your truth?
Trust your instincts. You are the best parent and advocate for your child.
Why did you choose to participate in this movement and share your story?
I choose to participate in this movement to honor my children, to show that motherhood takes different forms, and to encourage mothers who have had the misfortune of outliving their child(ten) that life can be beautiful again.
Kimberly is the founder of Saul’s Light Foundation, a New Orleans-based nonprofit that provides support and community to families with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).