Mommas, your spirits deserve to soar.
Today, I found myself at a routine appointment with my OB-GYN. (No, I’m not expecting; I’ve moved past those years of childbearing.) In the waiting area, I noticed a couple — clearly anxious yet thrilled first-time parents — eagerly flipping through pregnancy magazines. As I settled into my exam room, I could overhear their hopeful chatter and nervous giggles.
Suddenly, I heard the most enchanting sound imaginable.
Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump.
It was the unmistakable rhythm of their baby’s heartbeat, coming through the fetal doppler.
Listening to that heartbeat, I took a deep breath, filled with gratitude for the time I experienced that beautiful sound myself. It transported me back two decades to when I first heard that incredible beat, a moment that flooded my soul with joy like nothing else.
But within an instant, my smile faded, giving way to the harsh reality of modern motherhood that awaits that first-time mom next door. As she embarks on her parenting journey — one characterized by judgmental social media and incessant mom shaming — I feared for her spirit and her soul.
That joyful heartbeat could soon be overshadowed by cruel internal dialogues like:
- Gained more than 25 pounds during your pregnancy? You’ll never lose it, fatty.
- Had a complicated labor or a C-section? Your body failed you.
- Formula-fed? Your baby will have a low IQ.
- Breastfed for only six weeks? Quitter.
- Back to work? Neglectful.
- Staying home? Lacking ambition.
And the list goes on.
Just like that, the soul is sucked dry.
Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump.
To all the first-time moms in the next room, whether you’ve just welcomed a baby or are preparing to send your child off to kindergarten, please hold on to one crucial thought: that heartbeat you just heard? It’s your baby’s heartbeat, not society’s, not social media’s, nor dictated by any parenting study.
It’s your baby, your toddler, your child, your young adult, your college student. Yours.
Don’t let the motherhood soul suckers rob you of even a single moment of joy in your parenting journey. You are the mom. Period. You created that heartbeat (or had the privilege of adopting it), so you have the right to raise them the way you see fit. No one else gets a say.
It’s time to reclaim the joy of motherhood that resides deep in your soul. Start today.
Share this message, and let’s all work on restoring our joy, one heartbeat at a time.
For more insights on motherhood, check out this informative article on artificial insemination and this excellent resource on IVF.
Summary
This article encourages moms to resist societal pressures and judgments that can diminish their joy in motherhood. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on their unique parenting journey and cherishing every moment, especially the special sounds of their children.