Michelle Stevenson

The stunning Michelle Stevenson with her son Teddy (7 months). Michelle had four miscarriages before Teddy was conceived. She says it was hard to be excited and get connected due to her losses. She had a healthy pregnancy and went into labor at 38 weeks. Michelle had hoped to labor without medication but ended up asking for some pain medication. In hindsight she wishes she'd have gone straight for an epidural as she didn't enjoy feeling drugged up and out of it. Once she received her epidural she was able to relax and was amazed by how calm and comfortable she became. Teddy became distressed as Michelle began pushing and her doctor walked them through the risks and benefits of either a cesarean birth or vacuum assistance. They chose to use the vacuum to assist and in just two pushes he was out. Michelle says that she really liked Teddy at first but didn't feel that immediate overwhelming connection to him. At about 1 week old he needed to go back into the hospital due to jaundice and she says that once she got the phone call from her doctor something clicked and she realized she was his mom. This was her baby.

Breastfeeding has been a wonderful experience beyond the first few days of discomfort and she mentioned the best advice anyone gave her was to just keep trying. Michelle says that she has always been "the skinny girl", whether people have used that as an insult or a compliment she's heard it time and again, but it wasn't until pregnancy that she realized how much that had begun to define her. Her body has changed just as all bodies change and some days it's difficult but always, she's proud and confident in her strength.

Kimberly Parker

The radiant Kimberly Parker with her son Elliott (7 weeks). Kimberly had a blissful pregnancy. She was healthy and positive and chose to study hypnobirthing to prepare for labor and delivery. She went into labor at 38 weeks and all went beautifully. She says it wasn't painful and she felt peaceful throughout the entire process. Breastfeeding has also gone very well, Kimberly says it was painful at first while her nipples were sore and she sought the help of a lactation consultant who helped her to adjust a few things, which she's grateful for. Kimberly chose to participate in the project to celebrate her body and women's bodies in general, which are the most amazing engine ever, to create and sustain life, withstand sleep deprivation, and do so gracefully. She also wanted to help show black women that motherhood comes in all shapes, sizes and beauties.

Katherine Schuknecht

The wonderful Katherine Schuknecht with her daughters Milena (5) and Clara (19 months). Katherine's first pregnancy was very healthy, she hired a doula and planned a natural hospital birth. She went into labor at 41 weeks and labored for about 34 hours. She pushed for 6 hours but Milena was not coming out. Halfway through the labor, Katherine was so exhausted she stopped remembering things. At one point the doctor suggested a cesarean but she was so tired she couldn't vocalize she wanted one so she kept pushing. They ultimately needed to deliver via cesarean but Katherine was so tired that when they showed Milena to her that she didn't really care and in the recovery room she didn't even think to hold her, the nurse held her. It wasn't until they got to the hospital room and told the nurse they wanted Milena to go to the nursery so they could get some rest, that she realized she needed to hold and feed her if she intended to breastfeed after the nurse asked if she should give her formula. Thankfully everything went well from there and Milena nursed until she was 3.5. With her second pregnancy Katherine was hoping for a vaginal birth but knew she would be happy with an attempted VBAC. She labored for 9 hours, pushed for 3 before her OB said he could give her another hour to push or deliver then via cesarean. Katherine jumped at the chance to have her daughter surgically delivered then as she was feeling very overwhelmed and wanted to make the decision before she was exhausted. She was able to see Clara and initiate breastfeeding while in recovery with the help of her doula. While Katherine was happy with having met her goal initially, she now wishes that her doula or nurses had pushed her to keep trying even though they were following her lead. Her recovery with both of her deliveries was unremarkable but she was surprised at how hands off her care was after having such major surgery. This experience has pushed her to become a postpartum doula herself as well as a breastfeeding counselor.