ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s Not That Big of a Deal”
It started with small comments.
“You’re not that far along.”
“Women have been doing this forever.”
“You’re not even showing that much.”
Morning sickness that lasted all day.
Back pain that made sleep impossible.
Hormonal waves that left me overwhelmed and unsure of myself.
Instead of support, I often felt dismissed.
The Quiet Pressure to Be “Easy”
There’s an unspoken expectation that pregnant women should be grateful and glowing — that discomfort is just part of the deal and shouldn’t be complained about.
I began downplaying my own experience:
- “I’m fine.”
- “It’s not that bad.”
- “I can handle it.”
But the truth was, some days I couldn’t.
Pregnancy changes your body, your routines, your energy, and even your identity. It’s not just physical — it’s emotional and psychological, too. And pretending it’s easy doesn’t make it easier.
The Unexpected Voice
The person who finally spoke up wasn’t who I expected.
It wasn’t a close friend.
It wasn’t a family member.
It wasn’t someone who had been offering advice all along.
The room went quiet.
For the first time, I didn’t feel dramatic. I didn’t feel weak. I felt seen.
Why Validation Matters
Pregnancy isn’t a competition. It’s not about who has it harder or easier. Every body responds differently. Every experience is unique.
When someone minimizes a pregnant woman’s struggles, even unintentionally, it can lead to:
- Emotional isolation
- Self-doubt
- Suppressed stress
- Feeling unsupported
Validation doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying:
- “That sounds really hard.”
- “How can I help?”
- “You’re doing an incredible job.”
-
ADVERTISEMENT
