4th trimester bodies project: Beautiful birth stories – stretches, scars and all

Aren't these just the most beautiful images of postpartum bodies? Created by photographer Ashlee Wells Jackson, who has one son and identical twin daughters: Xavier is 8. Nova Emery, 15 months and Aurora Eisley, who was stillborn due to complications from Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.

She created this photography project because she says, "sometimes babies are born too soon. Because sometimes babies die. Because sometimes the best-laid birth plans and the reality of our births are two very different things. And because sometimes they are everything we dreamed just the same."

Regardless of how our babies get here we should be proud and, regardless of how we choose to feed them, we should be able to feed them where we choose whenever they are hungry. "Women are judged too crudely on the way we look and are often told we don’t measure up. Because no real person can compete with the tools in Photoshop and glossy magazine covers. And because motherhood is sacred and should be celebrated" she says. This project exists because women and men and society need it. Because our sons and daughters deserve more. Because we deserve more. Women and their bodies are amazing. Erica Imaoka As a doula and child birth educator Erica says that she is always supporting and uplifting women through this transformative time and that this time, she can apply that same sensitivity to herself. [caption id="attachment_216744" align="alignnone" width="300"]
The amazing Erica Imaoka Haggerman, mother to Leyla (6), Duke (4), Vera (2)[/caption]   Taelor Kendzy Taelor is 17 weeks pregnant with her first surrogate baby. She had a very healthy pregnancy and birth with her daughter and was a bit surprised to have difficulties breastfeeding. In the hospital, she very quickly developed blisters and was bleeding, making it far too difficult to nurse directly. Paisley began taking formula, and once she healed, Taelor began pumping but struggled to determine supply and demand. After her mother reassured her it would all be okay, she finally felt comfortable exclusively formula feeding, though it is still a decision she struggles with. [caption id="attachment_216745" align="alignnone" width="300"]
The tremendous Taelor Kendzy with her daughter Paisley (13 months)[/caption]   Claudia Nevarez Claudia very much enjoyed being pregnant but developed Preeclampsia and had to be induced. They used both a catheter and Pitocin to get things moving, but her baby did not want to come out. She labored for two full days before requesting an epidural and Lazarito was finally born with the assistance of forceps. He had some bruising on his face that upset Claudia but he was healthy. Claudia is a breastfeeding mom and was able to spend her sons first three months home with him before returning to work. She pumps while she is away and has been grateful to be able to keep up with his needs. [caption id="attachment_216746" align="alignnone" width="300"]
The amazing Claudia Nevarez with her son Omar Lazaro (1)[/caption]   Michelle Stevenson  Michelle had four miscarriages before Teddy was conceived. She says it was hard to be excited and get connected due to her losses. Michelle says that she has always been “the skinny girl”, whether people have used that as an insult or a compliment she’s heard it time and again, but it wasn’t until pregnancy that she realized how much that had begun to define her. Her body has changed just as all bodies change and some days it’s difficult but always, she’s proud and confident in her strength. [caption id="attachment_216747" align="alignnone" width="300"]
The stunning Michelle Stevenson with her son Teddy (7 months).[/caption]   Stacy Medina Stacy says that she didn’t expect to labor as long as she did but found the experience a testament to her inner strength. Once her son came out she was all smiles and eager to celebrate her accomplishment. Stacy was surprised by how sore she was afterward and how painful her recovery has been. She has some vaginal scarring that was unexpected and difficult. Stacy wants us all to be a bit more eager to celebrate the changes in our bodies through this phase in our lives and appreciate all the beauty marks we carry forward. [caption id="attachment_216748" align="alignnone" width="300"]
The magnificent Stacy Medina with her son Emiliano (7 months)[/caption]     Ashlee Wells Jackson, mother to the 4th Trimester Bodies Project, Xavier (7), and identical twin daughters, Nova Emery and Aurora Eisley (8 months). All images by Ashlee Wells Jackson, 4th Trimester Bodies Project, 4thtrimesterbodies.com