Jaquahna sits while her boyfriend applies strips of plaster to make a belly cast.
The question of what a psyche or a soul can experience depends, in large part, on what you believe it’s made of. Not all women get pregnant in the same situation- some have a spouse, some don’t. Their babies can be born into traditional nuclear families, others in non-traditional or stepfamilies. Some pregnancies are carefully planned, while others may come as a surprise. The transformation of a woman’s body and mind into motherhood is a fascinating journey.
A Visceral Sense is a body of work that explores the idea of dignity in birth and the emotional migration women go through. It foregrounds the childbirth experience of a teenage couple and a same-sex couple.
Julio Medina (18) and Jaquahna Bryant (19) pose for a portrait at her...READ ON
Julio Medina (18) and Jaquahna Bryant (19) pose for a portrait at her father’s girlfriend's apartment in Brooklyn, New York.
A 3d sonogram of Jaquahna's baby lies on her bed. "When I first...READ ON
A 3d sonogram of Jaquahna's baby lies on her bed. "When I first thought about it (pregnancy) I was really scared and I heard about all kinds of things happening and going wrong. But now each day I get more excited, I feel like I’m never going to experience anything like this", recalls Jaquahna.
Samantha Williams, 33, (left) and Nyesha Davis, 28, (right), a married...READ ON
Samantha Williams, 33, (left) and Nyesha Davis, 28, (right), a married same-sex couple pose for a portrait at their apartment in Brooklyn, New York.
Jaquahna lays on her friend, Safae Karroum lap while she transitions into early labor.
A screenshot of Jaquahna's Instagram story. She finds social media an...READ ON
A screenshot of Jaquahna's Instagram story. She finds social media an outlet to express her thoughts.
To induce labor, Jaquahna and her doula, Maritza Franqui, take a walk at...READ ON
To induce labor, Jaquahna and her doula, Maritza Franqui, take a walk at the Bush Terminal Piers Park, Brooklyn on April 13, 2018.
Samantha takes a shower at her apartment in Flatbush, Brooklyn on February 4, 2018.
Jaquahna copes with the pain during contractions while her doula, friend...READ ON
Jaquahna copes with the pain during contractions while her doula, friend and sister rub her back at the Brooklyn Birthing Center on April 14, 2018.
A screenshot of Nyesha's Instagram post.
Samantha exhausted by contractions, rests while her wife Nyesha hums a...READ ON
Samantha exhausted by contractions, rests while her wife Nyesha hums a song for her at the Brooklyn Birthing Center on February 13, 2018.
Jaquahna's half-sister, Marian Jones (left) and her friend, Safae...READ ON
Jaquahna's half-sister, Marian Jones (left) and her friend, Safae Karroum (right) pose for a picture while Jaquahna goes into early labor on April 14, 2018.
After undergoing two Scoliosis surgeries in her teenage years, Samantha...READ ON
After undergoing two Scoliosis surgeries in her teenage years, Samantha is left with a long scar on her back.
While a nurse monitors the fetal heart rate, Jaquahna is supported by her...READ ON
While a nurse monitors the fetal heart rate, Jaquahna is supported by her friend, Safae (left) and her boyfriend, Julio (centre) while resting in a bath tub at the Brooklyn Birthing Center on April 13, 2018.
Safae Karroum (left) shares a moment with Jaquahna while her sister,...READ ON
Safae Karroum (left) shares a moment with Jaquahna while her sister, Marian Jones (right), rubs her back to relieve pain from contractions at the Brooklyn Birthing Center on April 13, 2018.
Samantha is assisted by a nurse and a midwife during contractions at the...READ ON
Samantha is assisted by a nurse and a midwife during contractions at the Brooklyn Birthing Center on February 13, 2018.
Samantha lays on the bed after being in active labor for eight hours at...READ ON
Samantha lays on the bed after being in active labor for eight hours at the Brooklyn Birthing Center on February 13, 2018.
Jaquahna holds her daughter right after giving birth at the Brooklyn...READ ON
Jaquahna holds her daughter right after giving birth at the Brooklyn Birthing Center on April 14, 2018.
Four weeks old Jovanna Medina, sleeps in her father, Julio Medina's...READ ON
Four weeks old Jovanna Medina, sleeps in her father, Julio Medina's apartment where he lives with his parents and brother in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York.
After changing Abigail's diaper, Samantha cleans up her...READ ON
After changing Abigail's diaper, Samantha cleans up her thirteen-weeks-old daughter in the kitchen sink on May 11, 2018.
Jaquahna engages herself on the phone while Julio plays with his daughter...READ ON
Jaquahna engages herself on the phone while Julio plays with his daughter Jovanna at his apartment on May 19, 2018.
A Visceral Sense (Ongoing Project) The question of what a psyche or a soul can experience depends, in large part, on what you believe it’s made of. Not all women get pregnant in the same situation- some have a spouse, some don’t. Their babies can be born into traditional nuclear families, others in non-traditional or stepfamilies. Some pregnancies are carefully planned, while others may come as a surprise. The transformation of a woman’s body and mind into motherhood is a fascinating journey. A Visceral Sense is a body of work that explores the idea of dignity in birth and the emotional migration women go through. It foregrounds the childbirth experience of a teenage couple and a same-sex couple.
The question of what a psyche or a soul can experience depends, in large part, on what you believe it’s made of. Not all women get pregnant in the same situation- some have a spouse, some don’t. Their babies can be born into traditional nuclea...
Kanishka Sonthalia
Kanishka Sonthalia (b. 1990) is an independent documentary photographer currently based in Brooklyn, New York.