Pregnancy isn’t exactly a stroll in the park. As you nurture a tiny human for over nine months, discomfort is almost guaranteed. However, I encourage expectant mothers to truly embrace their growing bellies!
Every woman has the right to voice her frustrations; after all, your body is changing in profound ways. Before having my children, I was apprehensive about pregnancy. Nine months of ballooning up? Swollen feet and endless aches? No, thank you! Yet now, reflecting back on my own experience, it saddens me to see mothers-to-be posting about being “done” with their third trimesters.
I’m not alone in my struggles. I represent countless women who have faced challenging pregnancies and would give anything to experience a healthy full-term journey. For years, I dreamed of motherhood only to confront infertility. When my partner and I finally learned we were expecting triplets, a series of medical complications led to my delivering them at just 22 weeks. While we are grateful for our beautiful survivor, the heartbreak of losing two of my triplets remains. That’s why I flinch when I hear complaints about pregnancy.
During my weeks on bed rest in the hospital, I prayed fervently for my triplets to stay put, even for just a few more days. By 20 weeks, I was already measuring as if I was full-term, and turning from side to side in bed felt nearly impossible. I had three little ones pressing on my bladder, and my mobility was severely limited due to health concerns.
When I went into labor, it felt like a punch to the gut. The pain of contractions was severe, but the emotional anguish of knowing my children would likely not survive was far worse. In that moment, as the doctor informed me that I had to deliver, I wished I could rewind time to when I felt their kicks and enjoyed the blissful days of a seemingly uncomplicated pregnancy. Sadly, my body didn’t cooperate, and my babies were born over 17 weeks early.
Many women have faced infertility, premature births, or the loss of infants. I often wish more mothers would cherish their pregnancies instead of lamenting them. Yes, I had my moments of annoyance, especially during those awkward stages when I felt more bloated than pregnant. Even now, years later, I can’t help but joke about my squishy belly—a post-pregnancy souvenir that stubbornly lingers, much like those annoying chin hairs that decided to stick around after my kids were born. But I keep those grievances off social media.
Pregnancy is a privilege. Even though my journey has been filled with both joy and heartbreak, I recognize how fortunate I am. I experienced the incredible feeling of having three babies growing inside me—something many women dealing with infertility may never get to enjoy. For those like me who gave birth prematurely, the memories can be painful. I was deprived of the full pregnancy experience, missing out on that perfect moment of joy when holding a newborn. Instead, I remember the chaos and heartache, not the beauty of bringing life into the world.
I’m not asking anyone to stop sharing their frustrations; rather, I’m offering a perspective. Until I shared my infertility experiences, I had no idea how many women silently struggled alongside me. I also discovered countless families navigating life in the NICU during my own ordeal. So yes, vent your frustrations—pregnancy can be incredibly taxing! But as you glance down at your swollen feet and feel the burn of heartburn, remember your friends and acquaintances. Many may not voice it, but you might be surprised by how many are hoping for the chance to welcome healthy children into their lives. If you’re curious about home insemination, check out this resource on donor insemination.
In summary, embrace your pregnancy, with all its challenges and joys. Remember that there are many who would give anything for the experience you are having, even on the tough days.