As a Black woman with a strong desire to become a mother, the author was proactive about her reproductive health in her late 20s due to the statistics indicating that her desire to have children could be life-threatening. Despite taking vitamins, practicing advocacy for herself, and receiving routine checkups, she was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy. Feeling alone and surrounded by loved ones in the hospital waiting room, she felt angry, confused, and heartbroken for herself.
Having seen the devastating impact of ectopic pregnancies on television, the author never imagined she would experience it herself. She had been proactive about her reproductive health due to a lump in her breast in 2020, which led her to discover two fibroids in her uterus. Even though she did everything right, with regular check-ins, exercise, and hormone regulation, she blamed herself when the doctor told her she was pregnant but her uterus was empty. Despite knowing that it wasn’t her fault and that sometimes things happen without explanation, she felt deeply betrayed by her body.
The author’s hospital visit likely saved her life, as ectopic pregnancies are the leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester. Thanks to her partner’s insistence, she was able to avoid invasive surgery to save her fallopian tube and will likely be able to get pregnant in the future. Despite this, things were far from well after the ectopic pregnancy diagnosis. She felt grateful for the medical intervention that saved her life but struggled to come to terms with the emotional aftermath of blaming herself for the pregnancy not being viable.
Navigating a busy life filled with career aspirations, buying a home, and hoping to one day become a mother, the author had always put a priority on improving her reproductive health. Despite the challenges she faced, she remained proactive and took steps to ensure that she was in the best possible position to have children in the future. Her journey through fertility struggles and an ectopic pregnancy highlighted the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking medical assistance when needed, despite the emotional toll it can take.
Feeling heartbroken and alone after her ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, the author grappled with the emotional aftermath of blaming herself for the pregnancy not being viable. Despite knowing that it wasn’t her fault and that sometimes things happen without explanation, she felt deeply betrayed by her body. The relief of avoiding invasive surgery and being able to potentially conceive in the future was overshadowed by the emotional toll of the experience.
Through her journey, the author learned the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking medical assistance when needed, despite the emotional toll it can take. Despite the challenges and emotional struggles she faced, she remained resilient and focused on prioritizing her reproductive health to ensure the best possible chances of becoming a mother in the future. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of self-care, seeking support from loved ones, and knowing when to ask for help when facing difficult healthcare decisions.
