In a poignant video shared on her YouTube channel, Olympic gymnast Rachel Morgan bravely revealed her recent experience with miscarriage. The stigma surrounding pregnancy loss is gradually diminishing, offering solace to many women who are grappling with their grief. Morgan’s openness about her emotional journey is part of this positive shift, providing a voice to those who may feel isolated in their pain.
In the 20-minute video, Morgan and her husband, Jake Smith, documented their journey from the initial excitement of discovering they were expecting to the heart-wrenching moment of loss. “Today’s video touches on a sensitive subject,” Morgan stated at the outset. “It’s not the happiest of topics, but we feel many people go through this, so we wanted to share our story.”
The video begins with the moment Morgan learned she was pregnant while on a promotional trip in Chicago. After taking several positive pregnancy tests, she expressed a mix of joy and apprehension, saying, “Wow. This wasn’t in our plans, but it’s exciting! How will I tell Jake he’s going to be a dad?” Although the couple had discussed starting a family, they had planned to wait a few more years.
Morgan described her initial response as one of “absolute terror,” acknowledging the challenges of impending motherhood. She humorously remarked, “I’m a dog mom, but I’ve never been a human mom!” Despite feeling a bit unwell with symptoms like fatigue and bloating, she was thrilled to surprise her husband with the news when they returned home.
Upon entering the house, her husband eagerly anticipated the surprise. Morgan instructed him to open a package that contained a pair of baby Converse sneakers. His reaction was one of astonished joy. However, just two days later, during a doctor’s visit prompted by cramping and heavy bleeding, the couple received devastating news: Morgan had miscarried at just six weeks.
“We just got back from the doctor, and I’m no longer pregnant. Somehow, I lost the pregnancy already; it’s really hard,” she shared, visibly shaken. “I was ready to buy baby clothes, pick out names.” This segment of the video was particularly impactful, as many people underestimate the emotional toll of early pregnancy loss. The truth is, any miscarriage can be profoundly traumatic, regardless of the stage.
As the video drew to a close, an emotional Morgan held up the baby sneakers, telling viewers, “We will use them again, of course.” In her video caption, she reflected on the whirlwind of emotions in the past 48 hours: “My husband Jake and I found out we were unexpectedly pregnant, only to face tragic news shortly after. I’ve been crying more than ever but remain hopeful for what lies ahead.”
For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on In Vitro Fertilization here, and for those considering at-home options, you can find helpful insights in our post about at-home insemination kits here. For personal experiences and guidance on navigating these challenges, you can read more on Modern Family Blog.
In summary, Rachel Morgan’s candid sharing of her miscarriage experience highlights the need for support and understanding regarding pregnancy loss. By breaking the silence around such painful topics, she offers comfort to others in similar situations, reminding us that every loss, no matter the stage, deserves to be acknowledged.