Dani MacIntosh (31), currently 8 weeks pregnant, and Logan (22.5 months)

Ann Arbor, MI | Photographed in Detroit

Dani shares -

"I have not experienced any losses, but my first pregnancy was full of "near losses". I was diagnosed with a bicornuate uterus at 10 weeks and at 11 weeks experienced a large amount of vaginal bleeding. The bleeding continued until I hemorrhaged again at 13 weeks. Both times baby was fine and during the second episode my doctor noticed that I had a large subchorionic hematoma. The remainder of my pregnancy was extremely terrifying as I was told I had a 50/50 chance of miscarrying. I gave birth to my son at 34 weeks and am so blessed to be his mama. Now that I am pregnant again, I have no idea what to expect.

Before pregnancy I loved my body. I was fit, petite, and self-confident. This confidence did not carry through into pregnancy. I found pregnancy awkward and I was extremely uncomfortable in my skin. Getting dressed was the worst part of my day and I felt like nothing fit me properly. After giving birth I struggled with my large milk-filled breasts and hated them. Things got better after my son decided he was done nursing, around 18 months, and my body started to look more like my own again. I have to love my body because it grew my amazing son and kept him safe despite all my pregnancy complications.

Postpartum life was such a blur. My son was born at 34-weeks and required a week of NICU time. The hospital was amazing and I was allowed to stay there and visit him whenever I desired. I spent every waking hour caring for him and woke up at 2am every night to bring him breastmilk and feed him. He was a preemie and I have flat nipples, so breastfeeding was difficult for us. We were able to succeed with the nipple shield, but he soon “outgrew” it, which caused extreme pain. I was determined to nurse him and paid for a lactation consultant to help us figure it out. It was the best money I ever spent! I had no real expectations for postpartum life. I started grad school full-time for my family nurse practitioner degree a few months after my son was born. Every part of this journey has been so hard and riddled with guilt and stress. I will graduate in April and I still cannot believe I accomplished being a full-time mom and full-time student."

The amazing Carrie Thornton with her daughters Ellie (2.5) and Jemima (4). Carrie got pregnant with Ellie within a few months of trying. Other than some early morning sickness she cruised right along and was very healthy. She chose to have a private OB and hospital. Towards the end of her pregnancy Ellie had turned breech. Carrie and her husband discussed options for trying to get her to turn with their doctor but in the end decided that what would be would be and if she turned great, if not she'd deliver via cesarean. Ellie stayed breech and they were scheduled for a cesarean. Ellie decided to come a few days prior so Carrie got to experience a natural onset of labor, went into hospital and had Ellie in her arms within the hour. She though breastfeeding just happened but was told that she had flat nipples and couldn't breastfeed so Ellie was given formula her first day of life in hospital. Carrie continued to try at home but by about 13 weeks admitted to her husband that she had postnatal depression and the cycle of trying to feed, pump and give formula was too much so she weaned. They decided to start trying for baby number two about a year and a half later and found out at about 4 weeks. They immediately started planning and got very attached only to learn that she'd miscarried. Carrie had lost her father about 6 months prior and that coupled with this loss took a toll on her. They took a month off and conceived again straight away. She had another healthy pregnancy and wanted to attempt a natural birth this time. She found an OB who would allow her to have a trial of labor and once labor started she'd just see what happened. Jamima was a few days post dates but Carrie went into labor naturally, her waters broke but things didn't really progress from there. It was a public holiday and they were eager to deliver her so they kept upping the Pitocin and Jamima's heart rate was dropping. Carrie decided she couldn't take the stress and elected for a repeat cesarean. The midwife this time helped her breastfeed right away and she's enjoyed a wonderful breastfeeding relationship thus far. Carrie had a uterine infection just after birth and had to go back in hospital but was able to recover fully and keep her baby by her side.