The gorgeous Gabrielle Wood with her daughter Aurelia (10 months). When Gabrielle was 13 she had chicken pox that became infected with a strain of flesh eating bacteria. She fell into a coma for a week and spent about a month in hospital. The most affected spot was on her back and she had to have a large patch of skin cut out and grafted from a patch on her leg. No one was certain if she'd even survive and when she pulled out of it with nothing more than her battle wounds her entire perspective on life shifted. Gabrielle had a healthy pregnancy with Aurelia other than Gestational Diabetes that was managed by diet and was able to have a wonderful, natural birth experience. After her daughter was born she tried to get up and could barely step she was in such excruciating pain. It was determined she had Pubic Symphysis and her pelvis had separated too far. She was unable to move without a walker and the only thing to heal it was time. Gabrielle had anticipated she may go through the baby blues but was not at all prepared with the Postpartum Anxiety that she was struck with. She was able to weather it through the help of family and friends, while acknowledging that professional help may have been needed along the way. She feels that after 9 months in, it took a fully 9 months out for her to start really feeling like herself again. Gabrielle says, "My body is a tale of womanhood and survival. I cherish every mark and every curve."
