“I did what I had to do,” I say, out loud to my empty kitchen.
There’s no response, and the quiet stretches on.
The treatment continues to be slow, the way this type of conservation can be. I’m fighting restless impatience, removing a narrow line of soot, when my watch buzzes.
MotherHelper meetup in 30 minutes, Tilly!
I groan—I have too much to do, but I can’t blow the meeting off. Besides, a break will be good for me and the plum; I’ve been at it for some hours now. Though the nausea has finally disappeared now that I’ve reached the second trimester, I still fatigue easily. It’s frustrating, when the fog of exhaustion settles over me, but I’m trying to listen to my body more. To “honor the work it’s doing,” as this week’s MotherWise e-zine suggested.
As I lock the front door, nervous butterflies fill my stomach. Like I’m going on a first date, or heading into a job interview for a much-wanted position. Kat told me her MotherHelper group was her lifeline with her last pregnancy, and the women still get together once a week. Because this is her fifth pregnancy, she isn’t required to attend everymeeting. Today she’s volunteering at a school event, so I’m on my own. I trend introverted, and making new friends hasn’t always been easy for me. Unfamiliar groups like this one can be downright anxiety inducing.
I sit on my front steps and do some breath work, reminding myself, the way Maeve would if she were here, that stretching boundaries is good for me. My watch pings a gold star notification, followed by a second reminder about the meetup. I sigh, longing to stay home with the Leclerc instead.
At MotherWise, collaboration is our doctrine! Both mom and baby thrive when surrounded by a community of caring, like-minded people, from health professionals to educators to peers. Your MotherHelper group is comprised of other pregnant women who live and work in your neighborhood. We encourage you to attend the weekly sessions to get to know these women better and to create a wider support network during your pregnancy and beyond. It’s MotherWise’s great hope that—
“Hi there, are you Tilly?”
My eyes shift from the handout I’m reading to the woman standing in front of me. She looks to be in her early thirties, with a short bob to her chin and a small gold stud in her nose. Wearing a pair of sage-colored natural-fiber overalls, a fitted white T-shirt underneath, she looks comfortable while still being stylish. I glance down at my simple navy T-shirt dress, see a dollop of dried yogurt from breakfast.
I stand to shake her hand, and she envelops me in a hug. She smells like vanilla and peeled mandarin oranges. My arms hang at my sides because she’s taken me by surprise, and I don’t have time to embrace her back before she lets go.
“I’m Margie,” she says. “Margie Tupholme. I live over on York.” About a block from me, which I tell her.
“Oh, I know.” Margie smiles. “I’m the lead for this group, so I have everyone’s address and other personal details. Welcome, Tilly!” I wonder what other “personal details” she has on me. I see her necklace now, which came out from under her shirt when we hugged. Two gold rings.
Her eyes go to my necklace, easily visible due to my dress’s scoop neck. One gold ring.
“So, your second baby, huh?”
I nod, smile politely. Margie lets out a contented sigh.
“Ah, the second one. It’s dreamy to bring a sibling into the world for your first, but wow, the workload more than doubles.”
“Hmm-hmm. I’ve heard that.” From everyone. Including Kat, just yesterday when she came to my place for my MotherWise-approved, at-home breath work class. I miss going with Maeve and moving about as I wish, but I’m hoping to be off home rest soon enough. I hate hearing about the double-workload thing. For one, it’s boring and predictable information that isn’t helpful. But also? I should already know this. The plum should be—is—my third pregnancy.
“This is your third?” I ask Margie, my tone pleasant and conversational.
“Sure is! I still can’t believe I’m going to be a mom to three under three soon.”
I hope my smile looks genuine. “So, Margie. What exactly happens at these meetups?”
We’re in a room in the local community center near Oglethorpe Square, which also houses a library, a day care facility, a swimming pool, and a small grocery store on the bottom level. Each neighborhood has a center like this one, meant to serve the local residents. It’s walkable and well used “from cradle to grave,” as they say.
As this room is a multipurpose one, there’s nothing descriptive on the walls except one large screen, used to display media for whateverevent is taking place. Soft, natural light streams in from the ample windows on one side, and the chairs are cushioned and comfortable. There are snacks out, and I notice the NourishBox-branded packaging tucked off to the side.
Margie starts setting up the drinks station. There’s a large jug labeledPeppermint Tea, with Local Honeyready to be poured, which I offer to do. We have five minutes until the meeting begins.
“Each week is a bit different. But mostly we chat, ask questions, seek support on anything we’re struggling with. Every few weeks we have an expert in, too, which is great,” Margie replies. I nod, continue pouring the cold, fragrant tea into cups.
“It’s meant to be social and fun, but there is an educational element too,” Margie continues. “At least part of each meeting is focused specifically on the week of pregnancy we’re in, and milestones.”
“We’re all in the same week?” I’m surprised. “How many of us are there?”
“Well, within two weeks, yes. And there’s five of us regulars, plus a few semi-regular drop-ins. I think you’re friends with one of them. Katrina Rojas, right?” Margie asks, and I nod. “Love her. She’s always got great advice.”
I smile, thinking of my friend. “That’s Kat for sure.”
“So out of the five here weekly, three are moms-to-be, like you and me, and one is a surrogate who attends with the intended mother.” She lays out a handful of ginger and lemon lollipops meant to aid morning sickness. I have another moment of gratitude that mine has passed.
