Callie Mitchell with her son's biological father in happier times (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

Callie and her boyfriend in happier times.

Callie Mitchell early in her pregnancy (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

The first hint of a baby bump.

Callie & the father (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

Callie and her boyfriend asleep at home.

Callie crying (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

Callie and her boyfriend separate two months into her pregnancy.

Callie playing music for the baby (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

Calllie playing music for the baby; a framed picture of her ultrasound sits next to her.

Callie lost in thought (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

Callie makes the difficult decision to give up her baby for adoption.

Callie reading papers (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

For a few months, Callie goes back and forth on whether she should keep her baby or give him up.

Callie showing her baby bump (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

Callie, alone, with her growing baby bump.

Callie lying on a couch with a dog (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

During the final month of her pregnancy, Callie writes, "My heart has never felt so heavy and hard to hold."

Callie in labor.

Baby Leo Arthur (© Rachel Jessen/The Daily Iowan)

Her baby boy, Leo, was born Dec. 6, 2012.

Baby Leo meeting his parents (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

Callie insists that adoptive parents, Kristen and Brian, hold Leo first.

New parents Kristen & Brian holding their son (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

New parents, Kristen and Brian, with their son.

Baby Leo holding onto Brian's thumb.

Brian feeding Leo (© Callie Mitchell/The Daily Iowan)

Brian and Kristen have kept in close contact with Callie and invite her to visit regularly.

Photos show student's painful choice to give up her baby for adoption

2/27/2013

When Callie Mitchell, a 25-year-old photographer and student at the University of Iowa, discovered she was pregnant last March, she began chronicling the experience in pictures. Callie initially planned to keep the baby and start a family with her boyfriend; however, when the paternity of the baby came into question, Callie's relationship ended. Deciding that she couldn't raise her baby alone and offer him the life she wanted him to have, Callie began to consider adoption. The provocative and emotionally arresting photo essay, titled "My Baby, Not My Child," tells Callie's story — showcasing the pain of carrying a child only to give him up, and later, the joy of finding him a loving home. [Source]

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