The amazing Colleen Hultz, mother to Rowan (5) and Case (2 - pictured). Colleen always wanted to be a mother but hoped she'd have only girls. She admits feeling some disappointment that one and then both of her children were boys but says she's since been able to accept it. Due to gestational diabetes, long term nausea and discomfort, she disliked pregnancy so much that while she wants to have another child she says she'd use a surrogate if she was financially able.
Colleen controlled her gestational diabetes with diet and insulin which while necessary, was quite a drain for her. She was diagnosed after both a one and three hour test with Rowan in her second trimester but after her history she tested earlier with Case and began the diet at just 15 weeks. Colleen went into her birth with Rowan knowing she wanted to be in the hospital and have an epidural. He arrived 11 days early, without complication and she was able to get her epidural however she had specifically said no to an episiotomy in her birth plan and was given one anyway.
She knew she wanted to have a different experience with Case's arrival, so she found another hospital with midwives further away where she could have a water birth. She drove 40 minutes for her visits all throughout her pregnancy and says that in the back of her mind she kept hoping that she would be able to make it when it was time. When labor began, 4 days before she was due they prepared to head to the hospital right away. As they transitioned her older son and got ready to leave she had one very long contractions she believes was transition. As they drove to the hospital her water broke and before long she felt the baby crowning. Colleen's husband had been on the phone with her midwives and they finally convinced her to allow him to pull over. He caught Case and within just a few minutes ambulances arrived to take them to the hospital. On the way there, he began to nurse and aside from a small tear they were both in wonderful health.
Colleen has breastfed both of her boys, Rowan for his first three years and Case is still nursing now. Her changes in her breasts and the rest of her body are something that she knew was coming but never quite knew how she would deal with. She's never liked her breasts and always considered getting a reduction, so watching them enlarge during pregnancy and breastfeeding took some adjusting to. She commends her genes for keeping her thin without much work but says that there comes a point that slows down and you have to work to take care of yourself. She has recently begun to exercise again and hopes to begin swimming as well. More than anything, though, she wants to give her children the gift of a mother who is positive about herself.