The amazing Tobi Adebajo with her daughter Gabrielle (21 months). Tobi conceived her daughter when she was just 19 and in her first year of university for biomedical science. She wasn't at all expecting it and had to spend some time sorting out what she was going to do and her choices would then affect the rest of her life. Her family, spread between Nigeria and London, were not supportive at first and Tobi become quite depressed. She sought out the stories and community of other women and mothers and she soon found herself really enjoying her pregnancy. Tobi began researching birthing options and making choices about breastfeeding and decided that she wanted to have a water birth at home.

Spanning the last four months of her pregnancy, Tobi developed pelvic girdle pain and had to wear a support to make things manageable. When labor began she progressed at home without complication but was told that because her water hadn't broke she'd need to go to the hospital. Thankfully she was still able to have the water birth she'd wished for and says it was an amazing experience. Breastfeeding has been hugely important for Tobi and though she's faced some criticisms for continuing to nurse, she plans to continue until her daughter decides she is done.

Tobi says that being a young mother, her body has changed in ways that are perhaps not societally acceptable for a women her age. As a former model herself, she knows first hand that models don't look the same in real life as they do in their finished photographs. Instead of continuing to celebrate this, she hopes that we can continue instead to normalize what is normal and instead applaud women and mothers for who they truly are.

The lovely Jessica Pilton with her daughters Alannah (4), Tiffany (2.5) and son Mason (10 months). Jessica's first pregnancy was a bit of a surprise and she felt like her body went into a bit of shock. She had a lot of pelvic girdle pain, felt quite sick and could barely walk. At about 15 weeks things got a lot better and she felt that she was then able to get excited about becoming a mum. She was given a pregnancy and parenting book by a friend, read it as the truth and decided to follow it's methods without really looking further. She had planned to birth in hospital and labored at home in a lot of pain over a few days before they would allow her to come in. Once there she got an epidural and was given an episiotomy without her knowledge or permission. While Alannah was born without complication Jessica was not pleased with how things had gone. Once home she found herself to be a distant parent because she thought she had to be. Having her daughter scheduled with breastfeeding and crying it out since day one. She became pregnant with Tiffany when Alannah was just 6 months old and knew she wanted to do things a bit differently. She very much credits the village of mothers she's connect with online to help her become the mother she is today. For her second birth she wanted to do things more naturally and used gas and pethidine to help her through. She brought her daughter earth side on all fours and was able to breastfeed right away. Jessica started to become a more gentle of a parent and by time her son was born really felt she'd come into her own. She chose to deliver Mason at a birthing center with midwifery care and enjoyed this care model and birthing experience most of all. Jessica is still breastfeeding Mason and says that after years of feeling embarrassed by her large breasts she is finally learning to embrace body. She feels that she's learned and grown so much as a mother since her first daughter was born and credits the community of women who have supported her for so much.