The beautiful Sara Ray Brooks with her son Atticus (1.5 years), also pictured - a photograph of Sara holding the hand of her son Hashim. Sara is also mother to Malachi (16), Justin and William (twins who passed away shortly after birth) and bonus/blended mom to 4 others. Sara's first pregnancy was when she was 17, she carried twin boys to 26 weeks when they were unexpectedly born and passed away just a few days later. Her pregnancy with Malachi was unremarkable and she was able to breastfeed for his first 10 weeks of life before she returned to work as active duty military and switched to formula after not having the support to continue. In the interim Sara divorced her first husband and later married her current husband. They tried for 10-11 years to conceive another child with no success. Sara has struggled with Lupus and other health issues and, in addition, was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Soon after her diagnosis she was able conceive Hashim, quite by surprise. Sadly, Sara went into labor again at 26 weeks and delivered at her local hospital soon after. The hospital was not set up to care for a baby so premature and he passed away after just a few hours of life. Sara lost her Grandmother who she was very close to within months of Hashim's death and slipped into a deep depression. She wanted another chance at motherhood. She and her husband saw a reproductive endocrinologist who was able to manage her care properly and she was able to conceive Atticus on their first IUI attempt with the help of Clomid. From there, Sara's pregnancy was closely managed, she saw both a high risk OB and MFM (Doctor of Maternal and Fetal Medicine) through which she received weekly progesterone shots and steroids as she neared term. At 23 weeks Sara had to have an emergency cerclage placed and undergo amniocentesis to check for infection. She carried Atticus to 35 weeks and while she had hoped for a VBAC with the help of a doula, ended up delivering via repeat cesarean. Atticus was taken to NICU which was scary for Sara but she had specifically chosen the hospital for their ability to provide Level 4 care. She surrounded herself with support after she and Atticus came home and has avoided postpartum depression which she says is nothing short of miraculous. Sara was able to breastfeed Atticus for his first 6 months when she had to wean to resume her Lupus medications. She is learning to accept who she is and wanted to take this opportunity to say to the world that she is happy and accepts herself and perhaps most importantly, she is still here.