When Pregnancy Really Hurts: Jasmine’s Story
My Journey with Pelvic Girdle Pain
By Jasmine Davis
I had always heard that pregnancy was such a beautiful and amazing thing to experience. That women’s bodies were meant to create a baby. That your baby bump would be cute and having cravings is fun. Being pregnant is full of happiness and joy.
It was all a lie. For me, at least.
Finding Out I Was Pregnant
I got pregnant in January and found out at just 5 weeks along. Finding out was nerve-racking. I wasn’t trying to get pregnant and had only been with my boyfriend for a month. This set my anxiety on high for months.
I didn’t want to sleep in my bed and stayed with my great-grandmother so I wasn’t alone. I slept in her bed while she slept on the recliner next to me. I rewatched my comfort shows to keep negative feelings at bay. I would lie in bed, under blankets, still shivering. I also worried about how the relationship I had with my boyfriend would pan out. We didn’t really know each other yet.
Morning Sickness and My First ER Visit
It wasn’t long before I started having morning sickness. I knew this was normal, but it progressed really quickly into me throwing up every five minutes. I couldn’t eat, drink, or move without throwing up.
One day, I looked in the toilet after throwing up, and there were streaks of bright red blood in it. At this point, I knew I had to go to the emergency room. When I got there, I was hooked up to an IV and trembling uncontrollably. I was wheeled in for an ultrasound to check if my baby was okay. The room was dimly lit, and as I lay on the bed, the ultrasound tech used a transvaginal ultrasound wand. I could feel a lot of pressure and the cold from the gel on the wand. I looked at the computer screen, but I had absolutely no idea what I was looking at. The black and white image was so surreal. It didn’t even look like a baby. I was only about 6 weeks pregnant, so it looked like a weird little fish with nubs.
I was happy to see that my little “nugget” was okay, but at that moment I wasn’t happy to be pregnant. I was miserable. I was dehydrated, cold, and nauseous. I was prescribed Zofran, a nausea medication that became a lifesaver. I could not go a single day without it. This was the only way I was able to function.
“I wasn’t happy to be pregnant. I was miserable.”
I also waddled like a penguin for most of my pregnancy. I wasn’t able to walk normally from the start. I wasn’t sure why, but my body couldn’t help it.
A Brief Moment of Joy
At 17 weeks pregnant, we had a gender reveal and found out we were having a baby girl! This was the moment when it became more real that I was having a baby. It was a joyful, beautiful moment. Having our family and friends around to celebrate us having a daughter was spectacular. The moment I was happy to be pregnant.
That joy became short-lived.
The Pain No One Warned Me About
Soon into the second trimester, I began having pelvic pain. My family told me that it was normal to be uncomfortable, but it was to the point that I literally couldn’t move without crying. This made my family nervous. I once again had to go to the emergency room and was basically told there was nothing they could do. I was ultimately diagnosed with Pelvic Girdle Pain. This musculoskeletal disorder was causing me pain in my pelvis, lower back, and hips.
“I could feel my spine pop back into my pelvis.”
I was prescribed some medication and sent home. I only took a couple of pills because it wasn’t recommended to take while pregnant unless absolutely needed. I felt miserable. I was still taking Zofran, and now I couldn’t even sit down without wanting to cry. The pain that made me unable to move only lasted two days, but all the pain didn’t go away. Any time I sat down, I could feel my spine pop back into my pelvis. Both bones were grinding back into place. I had to hold my breath every time I got into my car, lie down after walking for 15 minutes, waddle everywhere I went, and take a nap or two every day. I felt like this for 28 weeks or longer.
Better After Delivery: Post-pregnancy reflects a happy family embracing parenthood—and no more unbearable pain for mom Jasmine.
Third Trimester Relief—and the Texas Heat
In my third trimester, I began to feel “normal.” I no longer had to take Zofran. My appetite was more normal than it had been. I could eat more than just cereal and watermelon. I had more energy to do things. I didn’t need to lie down after walking for 20 minutes. But it was also summer, and I was seven to eight months pregnant in the hottest months. I couldn’t be outside in the sun for more than five minutes without feeling like I was going to faint. The heat was my enemy, and I avoided it as much as possible. I lived like a vampire and stayed inside for two months or longer. I felt hot and agitated until it began to cool off.
“I lived like a vampire and stayed inside for two months or longer.”
I was back to feeling “normal” again as the weather began to change. But then my daughter decided I was not allowed to have an ounce of peace during this pregnancy and nicked the water sac. This caused me to leak water three weeks early and go to the emergency room again. I was tested to see if I was leaking amniotic fluid. The positive line was very, very faint, so the nurse didn’t see it and told me I wasn’t. Yet I was having more discharge. I was nervous and didn't want to leave in case it was amniotic fluid, but I also wanted to trust the nurse who told me it wasn’t. The nurse became a bit snippy and called for the doctor. While we waited, she looked impatiently at us with her arms crossed, hip poked out, and sighed.
The doctor came in and decided that because of the uncertainty of the prior results, I needed to have three more tests. It was a long, angry experience. I was lying on an uncomfortable emergency room bed that felt like a deflated air mattress. I was feeling wet and didn’t want to sit up out of fear I would get the sheets wet.
An Early Labor
Testing included a cervical check, during which the doctor also checked to see if she could feel the water sac. She pushed on the sac, and a gush of warm liquid came out, soaking the bed and my blue gown. The nurse’s mouth fell open, and all the doctor said was, “Yep, it's broken.” I was admitted to the hospital.
Immediately, my boyfriend and I both started crying. Tears ran down our cheeks while laughing and having a big smile that turned our cheeks red. I was excited to not be pregnant anymore, but also nervous to give birth. I was thankful for my boyfriend because he was so supportive from the beginning to the end. He saw me at my worst, and that made us become stronger together. That night on September 21, 2024, I was put on Pitocin to induce labor and had my daughter at 2:13 a.m. on September 22, 2024.
“I wish it could be more normalized to say the whole truth about pregnancy.”
I love my daughter so much, but I was so traumatized by pregnancy.
I felt a little alone because no one said how terrible pregnancy can be. I had no other mom to talk to about the negative side of being pregnant. I wish it could be more normalized to say the whole truth about pregnancy. Yes, it has beautiful moments of your baby kicking your stomach, finding out their gender, and celebrating with family and friends for your baby shower, but for some moms, it's not fun, it’s not exciting, and it’s not beautiful.
A Fall Celebration : Jasmine Davis rests beside her newborn daughter—a moment of peace and pride after a difficult pregnancy.
Expert Insight: When Pregnancy Hurts
Dr. Mandy Goldman, the David G. Braithwaite Endowed Professor of Nursing at The University of Texas at Tyler, explains why stories like Jasmine’s are critical to understanding the realities of pregnancy pain.
“Research shows that pregnancy complications such as hyperemesis gravidarum and pelvic girdle pain are associated with increased risk of postpartum depression and psychological distress, both of which can negatively impact early maternal-infant bonding. Jasmine’s experience highlights how chronic pain and trauma during pregnancy can shape the emotional landscape of early motherhood.
We know from research that maternal mental health during pregnancy is a strong predictor of bonding outcomes after birth. When a woman experiences trauma, isolation, or untreated pain during pregnancy, it can delay or complicate the bonding process with her baby. Jasmine’s story is a reminder of the importance of validating and supporting women through difficult pregnancies.
'“We must prioritize comprehensive, long-term postpartum care…”
Despite growing awareness of maternal mental health, postpartum support programs remain fragmented and underfunded across much of the U.S. Research shows that nearly half of maternal deaths occur in the year after childbirth, yet most support ends within six weeks.
We must prioritize comprehensive, long-term postpartum care—including mental health services, pain management, and social support—to ensure mothers like Jasmine are not left to navigate recovery and bonding alone.”
STM Editor’s Note:
It is estimated that Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) affects up to one in five pregnant women but often goes undiagnosed or dismissed. If you or someone you know is experiencing severe pelvic pain, contact your healthcare provider and explore local physical therapy and support resources.
Are you an expert on PGP and want to chime in? Are you a mom like Jasmine with your own unique pregnancy story? Reach out to Save Texas Moms. We would love to hear from you!
With gratitude ,
—The Save Texas Moms Team
