That night, I told Henry that marriage wasn’t in my future—not after what I’d seen with my aunt. He listened patiently and then, to my surprise, shared my concerns with his mother.

From then on, she took it upon herself to gently change my perspective. In her own way, she explained that pregnancy could be a joyous experience, free from the pain and fear that haunted me. She hinted at “certain secrets” and traditions that many women used to prepare themselves and approach childbirth confidently. 

For a moment, I began to think…

But what if that idea, that expectation, was all wrong? What if childbirth didn’t have to be synonymous with suffering? The truth is, pain in childbirth is often more about perception and preparation than an inevitable reality. There could be a new, empowering perspective—where childbirth can be calm, controlled, and yes, even pain-free.

As I lay on the bed one night, thinking about my future I knew I had 3 choices:

1. I could live without having a family of mine, and carry on as a nun, or just live alone without anyone.
2. I brace myself up for pain, experience it like other women, and simply take the risk and face the outcome.
3. Or, I could embrace the words of Henry’s mum and explore something new which can change the narrative that many people have about pregnancy and childbirth pains.
Over time, her words worked their magic. I began to see things differently, realizing I didn’t have to face the same fears. With Henry and his mother by my side, I finally embraced a future I once thought impossible. Eventually, I said yes to both Henry—and to the life I’d once run from.

Today, what do I have to show for it?