@danaemercer “Hemorrhoids. And constipation. And digestion going crazy. And... Second trimester has hit me with a load of symptoms I never even knew to expect - which is exactly why I want to talk about them here. So much of pregnancy is romanticized, because it IS a BEAUTIFUL, magical thing. But it’s also a REAL HUMAN thing, where you’re growing A TINY PERSON inside you. Speaking about the latter doesn’t detract from the former — and I think it’s crucial we acknowledge this. JOY can co-exist with difficulties. HAPPINESS can sit hand-in-hand with hardship. Not just for pregnancy, but for LIFE. We can have a job we LOVE But still struggle against the long work hours, the heavy stress. We can have a family we ADORE But still mourn for the person we were before. We can be so many things ALL AT THE SAME TIME. And there is beauty in that complexity. So today, Just giving a little cheers to being human. Heartburn (ick) and sleeping-sitting and hemorrhoids and all. You got this. x”