What It's Really Like To Be A First-time Mom At 46
woman & home South Africa|July 2019

Rachel Pashley suffered a series of setbacks on the path to motherhood, before falling pregnant unexpectedly. Here, she reveals how she feels about being a midlife mom

Rachel Pashley
What It's Really Like To Be A First-time Mom At 46

As I write this, I have my 14-month-old daughter Lily draped across me. I have a cramp in my elbow and the slight delirium of too many late nights and early mornings, but I couldn’t be happier. Lily is the little being I never thought I’d see, the one I’d gladly take a bullet for, and for whom I feel a powerful, all-consuming love. But getting to this point wasn’t easy: let me explain.

I work in advertising, which is code for regularly working 55-hour weeks. The sleep deprivation and constant demands, while the perfect rehearsal for motherhood, is lousy for getting knocked up, as I ruefully discovered. In fact, my journey to those two little blue lines would prove to be the most grueling three years of my life.

If you believe the headlines, I had everything stacked against me. I was a selfish ‘career women’ in my forties, so the few eggs I had were probably a little stale. Therefore, IVF or getting used to the idea of childlessness was my only options: advice cheerfully dispensed by my former GP, a tad insensitively, if you ask me. At this point, we had been trying unsuccessfully for a year.

R300k – and no baby

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2019 من woman & home South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2019 من woman & home South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من WOMAN & HOME SOUTH AFRICA مشاهدة الكل
Dive into THE INDIAN OCEAN
woman & home South Africa

Dive into THE INDIAN OCEAN

With turquoise waters and sublime beaches, the Indian Ocean feels like paradise. Our writers test drive resorts to help you find your dream break

time-read
7 mins  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
The Little Town With A BIG PUNCH
woman & home South Africa

The Little Town With A BIG PUNCH

Wellington is a place of rolling hills and sunshine, good for fruit and wine. Especially wine, as Lorraine Kearney tells it

time-read
4 mins  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
COME ON OVER!
woman & home South Africa

COME ON OVER!

After the formality of the big day, relax and tuck into our Boxing Day spread

time-read
8 mins  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
CHRISTMAS TREES with a trist
woman & home South Africa

CHRISTMAS TREES with a trist

If a faux Christmas tree is not your style and the thought of tossing a fresh one once the decorations come down makes you feel uneasy, don't fret! These solutions will have the festive vibes going throughout the year

time-read
1 min  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
No Place LIKE HOME
woman & home South Africa

No Place LIKE HOME

The joy of togetherness is woven into every element of this sparkling abode

time-read
3 mins  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
Don't feel guilty for TAKING A WEEK OFF
woman & home South Africa

Don't feel guilty for TAKING A WEEK OFF

This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on why Christmas doesn't have to derail your goals

time-read
2 mins  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
The cures of CHRISTMAS
woman & home South Africa

The cures of CHRISTMAS

Lost your festive spirit? Here's our alternative take on the popular song, with 12 easy remedies

time-read
4 mins  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
Papering OVER THE CRACKS
woman & home South Africa

Papering OVER THE CRACKS

The holiday season can take its toll on your relationship - but how can you tell if it's unsalvageable or just seasonal stress?

time-read
5 mins  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
This is YOUR BODY
woman & home South Africa

This is YOUR BODY

And this is your body at the end of the summer holidays

time-read
3 mins  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
UNDER the tree
woman & home South Africa

UNDER the tree

Make Christmas gifting easy with our selection of great festive ideas

time-read
5 mins  |
Woman&Home; December 2024