As a self-employed stylist in Mississippi, I knew I wouldn’t have any paid maternity leave to rely on. Just two weeks before our daughter was born, my husband lost his job, which made things even tougher.
Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a hairstylist. So, in 2018, I pursued that dream and opened my own salon. I’ve always wanted to start a family too, and when the time finally came, the reality of my situation hit hard. My husband and I had faced multiple miscarriages before finally welcoming our rainbow baby, Mia. When we found out I was pregnant with her, we started saving every dollar we could. I aimed to take at least six weeks off to bond with our little miracle. But as a freelancer, if I wasn’t working, I wasn’t earning. So, I packed my schedule with clients, trying to save as much as possible.
However, as my pregnancy progressed, I had to slow down and prioritize my health and that of my baby. I worked until just two weeks before Mia’s arrival. On my last day at the salon, I received the shocking news that my husband had been let go from his trucking job. It was a huge blow to our financial plans.
In Mississippi, state assistance is minimal, and we didn’t qualify for food stamps through WIC. I knew I had to explore other options, so I turned to GoFundMe to help cover my maternity leave expenses. I set up a campaign, explaining our situation, and to my surprise, friends and family rallied around us, contributing to help ease our financial burden.
I’ve learned that asking for help isn’t a weakness, and there are resources available that can assist you during your family planning journey. If you’re considering options like at-home insemination, check out Make a Mom for their reusable syringe kits, and you can see how it works here. For those in Las Vegas looking for a sperm donor, Vegas Pregnancy offers a free matching service. For detailed insights into intracycle insemination, you might find our blog post here informative. Also, the CDC provides excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination, which you can find here.
If you’re navigating similar challenges, remember: you’re not alone. There’s a community and support system out there for you.
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