Big. Pregnancy. Emotions

What fears and worries have you held inside during your pregnancy? How big are they?

Please share them, because I really want to know.

This is the most powerful photograph I've ever captured.

I never had any intention of sharing this photograph of my beautiful client but the more I saw it and thought about her experience, the more compelled I was to share.

I showed her — it was the one I was immediately drawn to — not because it was pretty or just a good photo...but the one that wrapped up her whole pregnancy/birth emotions in one powerful shot. The birth of everything that she had been carrying that grew inside her along with her baby.

I asked if she felt comfortable with me sharing it...and she answered with an equally powerful "Absolutely."

For she knows the fear, grief, and anxiety she carried with her throughout her pregnancy. She knows the panic she felt when her child was born and wheeled off to NICU before she ever had the chance to hold him... and at the same time, the joy and relief of knowing her baby was alive.

Most importantly, she knows she is NOT the only mother to carry these emotions and more throughout these long months, and for that reason alone — it must be shared.

Because it's ok to have these big feelings and emotions, and it's ok to let them be known. Not just for you but for other women — so they know they are not alone.

This isn't a typical "beautiful birth" photo as we're so accustomed to seeing... It's a beautiful birth photo that starts a conversation. One of awareness and vulnerability, acceptance, and maternal health.

Please...Talk about it.