Dear Anonymous,
Reading your letter, I feel for you. I cannot know your situation, but I want to affirm that there are good and holy reasons to avoid conceiving a child. This decision is for you and your husband to discern, with the light of the Holy Spirit, in your present circumstances.
I cannot know your situation, but I can share with you mine. It may not be what you need to hear or be a direct solution to your struggles. But it might make you feel less alone, to sit with my words as I share them with you as I would a friend. Please reach out if you’d like to talk more!
As I sit writing this, I am 37 weeks pregnant with our third child. Like you, we deeply desired to grow our family, but we had cause to reconsider those plans. During my last pregnancy, I developed bilateral pulmonary embolisms, life-threatening blood clots in my lungs, due to a genetic disorder. The preventative measures we took failed to protect me. Thankfully, it all turned out alright. Our second child, a son, was born healthy — the happiest baby I know.
But this health condition threw a wrench in our plans for our family. We wanted more children, but we hesitated. I felt guilty for these desires; how could I choose to put myself in danger when these little ones need me? Were these blessings not enough for me?
Read the rest of my letter at FemCatholic.com!