For decades a debate has raged in our
country over women's uteri and what they can/should do with them. I
have yet to meet an individual that does not claim allegiance to one
side over the other. Both positions are passionate and have fought to
the death for their cause. The Pro-lifers advocating for the lives of
the unborn by explaining that every
life has value and that life begins at conception. The other side of
the coin, Pro-choice, disputes when life actually begins, contesting
that a women's body belongs to no one but herself, and she should have
complete authority over what she wants to do with it. Battling over
lives and prerogative, the two sides seem to stand unbending. Their
backers just as resolute in their stance, or at least it seems that way,
until it comes to uteruses like mine, uteruses
that have more babies than deemed "normal" by 21st century American
culture. Then some, not all, begin to back away from their
steadfastness.
I am currently pregnant with our seventh child. I haven't really announced it, announced it, until now
for a couple of reasons. First of all, my last pregnancy resulted in a
miscarriage and I didn't want to
have to say those words again to those
outside of my immediate family. Telling someone, "I lost the baby," is
more difficult than I had ever anticipated. Secondly, as our family
and close friends celebrate with us over our new addition, many do not.
It's exhausting coming up with responses or faking laughter yet again,
when strangers and acquaintances alike creatively share their witty
comments regarding our sex life, my lack of hobbies, or my ignorance about the facts of life.
Not to mention, it makes me a bit angry that I have to defend my
family's size. Really, I shouldn't have to. After all, it seems that
everyone falls into one of the two "pro" categories. Yet, the
less-than-humorous comments continue and sometimes even out right mean
things are said by individuals of both parties that seem to have lost their bias.
As
a woman, is it not my right to do with my body what I want to do with
my body? We with larger-than-most families could really go without the
"it's a uterus, not a clown car" comments. If we want to rival Michelle
Duggar, shouldn't that be our choice? Our choice. Yet the words of some Pro-choice women to a preggo mom with multiple children in tow are as strong as the incense one has been burning
or the power in which another grandstands in her corporate heels.
Words that don't mince the belief that birth control is an option that
should have been exercised. If it had been used
they assume the world's problems could be avoided, after all we are
contributing to the world's overpopulation, a growing carbon footprint,
taking tax dollars for government assistance, and perpetuating the belief that women should be uneducated birthing machines. At this point, they no longer believe the choice is the individual woman's, it's theirs, because our choice no longer matches what they want for themselves, our gender, or our world.
Having a Pro-life bent myself, I would like to say that my family of soon-to-be seven is celebrated by all on my "side", but it's not. Often it doesn't appear
as offensive, but anyone that can read between the lines, a.k.a.,
everyone, can see the slight disdain in a curled upper lip. Although
the church-going financial supporter of the local pregnancy center with
no more than two Baby Gap attired children would never want a mom to terminate, they are bewildered
by a mother who would sacrifice comfort to have gobs of babies. Her
concern for moms of many often revolves around the work of more than the
number of children she has and the ability to live as comfortably as
she would like. The value placed on life is great as long as it doesn't
interfere with her contentment. Do you sense a disconnect?
I'm
not saying that everyone needs to have "a lot" of children, what I'm
saying is that if you believe life is of value and begins at conception,
then you celebrate life. Period. We don't need to hear that this isn't
the life you could handle. Heck, half the time we can't handle it.
Remind us of the what you believe to be
true--every life is a gift and has value. If you truly believe that a
women's body is hers to do as she chooses, but you think she's crazy to
have a more than three children, then admire a women who is going
against societal norm and embracing the beauty and power of what a
women's body can do. We mamas
who make the choice to allow baby blessings in our lives don't need
criticism, supposedly funny comments, or even belly rubs (okay, that
last one is my own personal preference), what we do need is the truth.
And regardless of what point of view you agree with, to a mom pregnant
with her seventh baby, there is truth to be found in both.