Elizabeth DiBiase

The dashing Elizabeth DiBiase and Giuliana (2). Elizabeth was told that getting pregnant as an older mom would be difficult and she should likely just try IVF. This didn't sit well with her and she was grateful to be able to get pregnant without intervention. Elizabeth had always seen and imagined that pregnancy would be a magical time for her but she was sick all day for her whole 9 months. Elizabeth's mom died just a few months into her pregnancy but knew Elizabeth was pregnant and was thrilled to hear that Giuliana was due on her birthday. At some point, Giuliana's due date was pushed back a bit and Elizabeth was sad that she no longer would share a birthday. Her daughter became stuck in breech position however and she had to laugh when her doctors told her that they needed to deliver via scheduled cesarean on September 24th, her moms birthday and original due date.

Giuliana was born without any complication but Elizabeth's recovery was more difficult than she had anticipated. Motherhood in general, while so amazing, has been more challenging than she thought it would be and the tiredness that has transcended her daughter's first two years is unlike anything she's experienced before.

Elizabeth notes that while her daughter likely won't remember these moments she wants her to have reminders of this time in their lives. The joy, the connection, the love. And even more so she wants her to grow with the ability to see and love herself for exactly who she is.

Angela Nelson

The amazing Angela Nelson and Peter Kenneth Atlas (10.5 months). Angela was very excited to be pregnant and things went very well throughout. She knew she wanted to deliver at a birthing center and was thrilled to find one she was happy with just five minutes from her house. Angela went into labor with leaking waters on her due date while on a short baby moon and drove home to do some nesting, shopping and wait for labor to progress. They eventually went to the birthing center where she continued to labor. 18 hours after her water broke she was transferred to the hospital for antibiotics as she was also group b strep positive. She was very upset by having to transfer and though her doula and midwife were able to stay with her things continued to go in a direction far from what she had planned. She wasn't dilating past a 4 and when she finally did dilate he just wasn't coming out. Angela ultimately delivered her son via cesarean without further complication. While her physical recovery went very well, her emotional healing has taken some time. Processing her feelings regarding her birth was further impacted by the death of her father when Peter was just two months old. Angela's milk supply plummeted and she was unable to continue making enough milk for her son despite trying fenugreek and domperidone to up her supply. She is very grateful to have found an amazing community of milk donors who have not only provided sustenance for her son but became amazing friends in the process.

Melissa Faith Talev

The fabulous Melissa Faith Talev with her son Roland (almost 3). She is also 36 weeks pregnant with baby number two. Melissa's mother was diagnosed with cancer when she was a year old and passed away when she was four. Tragically her father died soon after and her Grandmother took over her care. Melissa was very close to her Grandmother and enjoyed her time with her greatly. When she was 12, they were in a car accident and her Grandmother passed away. Melissa was left without a close parental figure and struggled mentally and emotionally into adult hood. She says that it was becoming a mother herself that healed all of that pain for her. Melissa had a very healthy first pregnancy and was able to remain incredibly active throughout exercising and riding her horse right up until 32 weeks when she switched to swimming for the remainder of her pregnancy. Roland was born at home without complication and breastfeeding has gone very well. Roland is nursing currently and is excited about tandem feeding with the baby. Melissa's current pregnancy has gone well but she has had a lot of issues with her back and has had to remain relatively inactive rather than physical therapy and some swimming. She's planning to deliver this baby at home as well with the same team of providers.

Sara Ray Brooks

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.