9 Months Pregnant & Proudly Pro Choice

“Just give the baby up for adoption if you’re not ready to be a mom.”

“There are so many families who would love to raise your baby.”

These are just two examples of things I’ve heard people say when they disagree with a woman’s right to choose whether or not she will carry a child. I don’t believe these recommended options are rooted in negativity, but I do think they over-simplify the options. They sound so flippant. Like such a small inconvenience to a situation they likely know very little about. Because if pregnancy has given me affirmed resolution in anything, it is for a woman’s right to choose if this is a path for her or not.

Because this shit is hard. And that’s coming from someone in her 30’s with a loving husband, an insanely supportive network, a comfortable home, access to my own car, my own bank account, and a flexible job. Not to mention a judgement-free healthcare provider, TIME, and a 14 week paid maternity leave to recover.

With all of that, I still felt like garbage for ~6 of the past 9+ months. Throwing up, peeing my pants, bloody gums, exhaustion, aching, heart burn, the list goes on. It’s intense. And my personal experience hasn’t been high-risk or with any abnormal complications. Just super norm. How could we ever casually ask someone to go through that? For what? The POTENTIAL benefit of an unknown family?

It’s much easier to do hard things when you know there’s an end-point that will be worth it. Knowing there’s a little girl posted up in this bod with me has allowed me to look past the discomfort and celebrate the change. But to not have that choice? To know it’s just pain, discomfort, embarrassment and… then what? More of the same? I would never wish that on someone.

There are obviously some who CHOOSE to take that path, and that’s pretty amazing. But I stand firm that it must remain a choice. With all the churn and uncertainty from the laws in Texas, this year I’m committing to doubling down on my support for women. So if you thought I was a pain in the ass in 2021, just wait for 2022. I’m unapologetically cruising into my mid-30’s with a lotta come-at-me-bro energy. ;)