Becoming a Super Mom—Motherhood Begins Before Birth

They say motherhood begins when you hold your baby in your arms for the first time. But for me, and for countless women who have walked the path of pregnancy after loss, motherhood began long before that anticipated moment. This makes them a Super Mom in my eyes. It started in the quiet hopes, in tears shed for the little ones whose hearts stopped too soon or never had the chance to appear, and in creating a sanctuary for the child we longed to welcome.

When Life Tests Your Limits—The Year Everything Changed

Last year hit me with wave after wave of grief. I experienced two pregnancy losses while also dealing with the sudden passing of my best friend and my grandparents, who died within weeks of each other. I also witnessed how I changed through grief; how it stripped away the anchors of my life that were outdated while molding a new version of myself that was new, raw, but real and beautiful. This overwhelming season stretched from February through November, testing my limits in ways I never imagined.

As a business owner, I wanted to step back entirely to focus on healing while nurturing my writing and speaking. It was truly the only clarity I had through the ebbs and flows of what grief brings in your life. I have always been a sensitive and open person, but these outlets helped me find strength in my vulnerability like never before. Just as I felt ready to return to business after my second miscarriage in October/November, I discovered I was once again pregnant.

I felt like I was getting my bearings to then face the very real and present anxiety and fears in the first trimester, given my history of miscarriages. Still, I also felt a new type of trust and faith that whatever happened was meant to be. We were grateful to have reached a milestone I once feared impossible—a viable pregnancy. We have been blessed with a baby girl who is due this August.

My path to motherhood has been anything but straight. After multiple heartbreaks, I stood at a crossroads: give in to fear or choose hope despite the uncertainty. I chose hope, though it wasn’t easy.

Creating a Sanctuary For Our Baby—Mind, Body, and Spirit

Even though my daughter hasn’t arrived yet, I’ve already experienced what I believe is the most rewarding part of being a Super Mom: creating an intentional space for her to thrive. Before conception, I dedicated myself to ensuring my womb would be a sanctuary for her growth over the last five years. I nourished my body, practiced mindfulness to manage stress, and envisioned her growing strong within me. Beyond my physical body, my partner and I dedicated our intentions to building a safe, secure, loving, and nurturing home to welcome her into well before we even met one another.

The process of crafting both my body and our home as peaceful havens tailored to her needs has already brought so much meaning to my experience of motherhood, even before I hold her in my arms. This intentional preparation—this act of creating space—is perhaps the purest expression of maternal love. I am so protective of her well-being and the part we desire to play in her life. We are so grateful to give her a strong foundation and a space to explore who she wishes to be in each stage of her life.

Moments That Transform Anxiety into Hope

Though my little girl hasn’t arrived yet, I’ll never forget the first time I saw her heartbeat on the ultrasound. After navigating the treacherous waters of pregnancy loss, seeing that tiny flicker was pure joy and relief—tangible proof of both her resilience and my own.

Later, watching her dance and stretch on the screen and feeling those first gentle flutters become stronger movements inside me transformed my pregnancy from a journey shadowed by anxiety to one illuminated by hope. They made her wonderfully real to me in a way nothing else could, bridging the gap between the abstract concept of pregnancy and the reality of motherhood and what is to come.

In those moments, I understood that motherhood isn’t defined by when you hold your child but by when you have space for them—in your heart, hopes, and plans for the future. It’s a multi-dimensional experience that expands beyond the physical; it’s also in the spiritual connection we have with our children before they are here, in the ways we connect with others around us, and how we change ourselves to be the best version of ourselves possible to make that child proud to call us their mother.

Turning Pain into Purpose—Supporting Other Women through Pregnancy Loss and Miscarriage

This journey taught me to find value in even the most difficult experiences. My season of grief, though incredibly painful, gave me a new perspective on life and resilience that I now use to help others. I regularly receive messages from women looking for support during pregnancy loss. Nothing validates my experience more than being trusted to hold space for others during their most vulnerable moments.

Through it all, I never questioned whether I was a mother. That feeling existed long before any positive pregnancy test. I felt a connection with my child years before they physically existed in any form, and each loss only made that bond stronger. Every twist and turn I feel from my baby girl now—and every woman I support through loss—confirms a strength I always had but couldn’t recognize with the pain of the experience. I like to say that my miscarriages were an awakening of their own kind, an awakening to the reality that I can hold two truths at once. I can experience the pain of the loss while also seeking the beauty in what’s possible.

The Super Mom Contest—More Than Just a Prize

With my daughter’s arrival approaching this summer, I plan for the life we’ll build together. A few weeks back, I came across a post about a Super Mom contest for the chance to win the gift of a lifetime. This contest is a chance to win a Women’s World Magazine feature, $20,000, and a trip to Napa Valley. As I believe in intention, it feels good to say that if I win the $20,000 Super Mom prize, I will create a financial foundation for sweet girl—starting with essentials we need upon her arrival but focusing primarily on her long-term security.

I’ve always envisioned setting up a high-yield savings account for my child (or children) and working with a financial advisor to follow growth strategies that align with our needs and desires. This would give her advantages I didn’t have, which would be a blessing to gift her as a mother while teaching her about financial planning as she grows. For me, it’s not just money—it’s security and an opportunity that would be especially meaningful after pausing my business during my healing journey.

Additionally, entering the Super Mom contest means more than potentially winning a Woman’s World Magazine feature, $20k, and a trip to Napa. It’s about finding a platform to continue my mission: supporting others through difficult seasons and helping them tell their stories.

Through my grief, I discovered that sharing helps both with personal healing and breaks the isolation that often comes with loss. I never want another woman to feel alone during pregnancy loss.

Real Super Moms Choose Hope After Heartbreak

Being a Super Mom isn’t about perfection. It’s about having the courage to try again after heartbreak and choosing hope after loss. It’s creating space for a child who exists in your heart before they’re in your womb and then in your arms.

This journey taught me that motherhood doesn’t start with a birth certificate. It begins when you nurture possibility and create a temporary sanctuary for another heart alongside your own.

Your Vote Makes A Difference

If my story speaks to you—if you believe motherhood starts with hope rather than birth—I’d be honored to have your vote for Super Mom.

Your vote validates my journey and brings me closer to a platform where I can reach more women who need support. It affirms that motherhood begins long before birth and sometimes continues even without it.

[Vote Now] to support all mothers—those waiting, those grieving, and those like me who found their way through loss to hope.

Copyright 2025 – Simply Ashley Graham – All Rights Reserved