New Motherhood

The First 12 Weeks

In a three-part series, WBEZ takes readers behind closed doors to see the joys, the frustrations and the needs of three Chicago-area mothers in their babies’ first weeks of life. Contributor Elly Fishman and WBEZ photographer Manuel Martinez spent months with the families at home and in their neighborhoods, meeting both in person and over Zoom, to bring you these intimate portraits of struggle and triumph.