Samantha Krigsvold (39), Tecumseh (9), Otis (7), Pauline (5), and Major (18 mo)
Richmond, VA | Washington, DC
“I've had two miscarriages - one at 21 on the morning of my scheduled abortion and one at 37 in between my 3rd and 4th child. They were very different experiences but with each I felt a mixture of sadness and relief.”
How has parenthood impacted your body image?
I've been chubby my entire life and developed stretch marks all over my body during puberty so my changing pregnancy and postpartum body wasn't shocking to me. I made a concerted effort after I had my daughter to focus on more positive body talk. I didn't want to repeat the cycle that I experienced during my childhood. I don't want to project my body image issues on to my children. I definitely credit them with helping me accept my bigger, imperfect body because I had to for their sake and it saved me.
What was your postpartum experience?
Each pregnancy, labor and postpartum experience was different. I had postpartum depression after my second child and didn't really realize it because I was so consumed by having a newborn and a toddler at home. I remember one day when he was around 3 months old, I looked at him napping and I felt this surge of love for him and realized that it was the first time I'd felt it for him since he was born. I was so fortunate to have relative easy postpartum experiences in general although I know that my anxiety has increased as we have had more kids. My oldest son was recently diagnosed with ADHD and it's a relief to know that all of these times I've been so frustrated with him and expecting him to help with his siblings or just help himself, he just wasn't capable of doing it. But it's hard to hear from people "Oh I'm sure Tecumseh is such a helper" because that's just not the case. It doesn't make him any less kind or amazing.
What is your truth?
I wish that I had appreciated how strong and brave that I could be/am/was at a younger age. I spent so much time being scared to put myself out there because I never had the confidence to believe that I was good enough or worthy enough to experience amazing things or do hard stuff. I now realize that I'm smart and stronger than I even know and I am worthy of taking up space and taking risks.
Why did you choose to participate in this movement and share your story?
I've followed this movement for years but was always waiting to be in the right space to participate - I wanted to be thinner, I wanted to have a newborn, I wanted to look better...Now I know that I have a story to tell just as I am and I want to have photos that capture me in this season of life because it's hard but wonderful and I want that to be memorialized.