{Editor’s Note: This story comes to us from Rachel. This is the story of infertility, loss, and two Cesarean births – one which was not empowering, and a second that was positive and healing. This is also the story of two experiences with Postpartum Depression and the effects on bonding and motherhood.} My story starts almost five years ago, it…
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Military and Loss {I Am Strong}
I am strong because at the age of 18, I went through about 8 months of my first pregnancy alone while my husband was serving our country in Iraq. I am strong because I was induced at 38 weeks pregnant, while my husband was home on R&R, and after 10+ hours of labor, I delivered our daughter via Cesarean because…
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I Am Strong {Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome}
[Trigger Warning: This post contains a story of loss] I am strong because my husband and I conceived twins during my third pregnancy (our 2nd together). I am strong because we found out at 20 weeks that it was twins. I had a gut feeling that it was twins all along. They had confirmed that they were identical twin boys.…
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{I Am Strong} The Loss of a Twin
*Trigger Warning: This post is about loss* I am strong because at the age of 32 I became pregnant with twins. I was super excited and scared at the same time. Early in the pregnancy I found out that Baby B wasn’t doing well. As I started getting further along I went to specialist to find more out. My Baby…
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Together as a Family, Part V
This is the final installment of a five-part series about loss and healing. Written by Shannon from Brisbane, AU, this powerful story outlines her experience of three miscarriages followed by the healthy pregnancy and birth of her son, Jasper. Yesterday, we shared her account of early labour; today, you get to read the happy birth story in its entirety! “We…
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Together as a Family, Part IV
This is the fourth post in a five-part series on loss and healing, a story shared by Shannon from Brisbane, AU. Yesterday, she shared her early pregnancy fears, and her decision to pursue midwifery care at the local hospital. Today, she writes about her experience of early labour. Check back tomorrow for the complete story and pictures of the birth of…
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I am strong {Katie}
I am strong because at 12 weeks pregnant with my first child I chose to adopt my three year old niece and one year old nephew after tragically losing my best friend, my sister. I am strong because I managed to still work full time as an RN in the NICU while going through a huge loss, being pregnant, and…
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Together as a Family, Part III
This is the third in a five-part series about loss and healing, shared by Shannon from Brisbane, AU. Yesterday, she shared about the grief and despair she felt during and after her third miscarriage. Today, she writes about the fears that arose during her next pregnancy, and her decision to pursue midwifery care. Check back tomorrow to hear the first…
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Together as a Family, Part II
This is the second in a five-part series about loss and healing, a story shared by Shannon from Brisbane, AU. Yesterday, she shared about her first two miscarriages. Today she writes about coping through them, and her next. Check back tomorrow to hear how she worked through the fears that arose when she conceived – and found spotting – again. “One…