Local actress Denise Zimba was over the moon when she announced her pregnancy and the arrival of her baby girl.
Now, she’s shared her experience through the nine-month waiting period.
Pregnancy is different for every woman, but one thing that’s common is how the journey is a learning experience. This was also the case for Wedding Bashers host Denise who opened up about having endometriosis, which reduced her chance of getting pregnant.
According to MayoClinic, “The main complication of endometriosis is impaired fertility. Approximately one-third to one-half of women with endometriosis have difficulty getting pregnant.”
In a post on Instagram, Denise explained that her body went through immense pressure.
“I felt like jumping out of a moving car many times or taking a knife and cutting my stomach open. I felt trapped and isolated,” she wrote.
While pregnancy alone may seem like a scary thing, experts do say it generally leads to an improvement in endometriosis symptoms, particularly during the latter months of pregnancy. But some women experience a worsening of symptoms, particularly during the first three months.
But as with most mothers, the bond that is created with their growing baby makes it all worth it in the end. With such an experience and trying to overcome hurdles, having a strong support system surely does make the journey a little easier. “I was so angry with my partner at times, where I couldn’t stand the sight of him,” Denise explained. But quite frankly, PregnancyBirth and Baby states that some partners tend to feel as if they have been left out during the pregnancy. The mother may be absorbed in the unborn baby, and all the attention is on her.
Mood swings in pregnancy are almost inevitable as well as hormonal changes – the actress describes going through weight gain, hair loss and depression. Depression and anxiety that happen during pregnancy or anytime during the first year after the birth are medical conditions. These feelings are not something you’ve done or not done.
Pregnancy is a precious time for any woman, and the last thing one should go through is being pressured into thinking they need to be “strong”. Encouragement and celebrating small victories play an important role. Parents.com says, “Research has shown that up to 33% of women experience clinical depression or an anxiety disorder at some point during pregnancy.”
Endometriosis is not genetically passed on from mother to daughter, as other mothers may think. Others say, “Getting pregnant with Endo is hard for many. For those of us who actually achieve it, pregnancy can often be a nine-month relief. After giving birth, the relief may come back but for some lucky women, the relief lasts forever.”
“And then . . . then you hear a heartbeat, and feel little kicks and turns, the hiccups that has your stomach constantly pulsing, and your tears fall down your face because it feels so amazing, that it’s the only way your joy releases itself,” Denise continued.
