What to expect when you’re expecting in college – Part 3 of 5
by PrettyInPink
See introduction and Part 1 here.
See Part 2 here.
About part 3:
We finish looking into pregnancy options with ThriVe St. Louis, a pregnancy care center near the St. Louis University campus – what it offers and how it helps women.
Then we are introduced to my project! I quickly outline my experience of portraying myself as 8 months pregnant for 2 weeks on campus. Then the SLU community tells us what they thought about my “pregnancy.”
Don’t pay attention to the messy hair in my interview. I had to wear a hat earlier and didn’t even notice my hair being messed up! ;)
More thoughts…
I noticed that even though I was unafraid to conduct my experiment, I still experienced insecurities walking around campus and being “reacted to.” And this was only for 2 weeks! I have immense respect for student mothers for this reason. I am really proud that I was convincing to a lot of people! Most people had a good sense of humor about it and were more than willing to hear my story and be a part of the project, which says a lot about the great people at SLU and my friends both at St. Louis and home in Oklahoma.
Something else I think I should add, now that I have the forum to. I wore my suit around in public pretty often before school started for “practice.” I would wear it If I had to go anywhere after school (to the supermarket, etc). Although people at SLU were often a bit awkward (you will know why in the 4th video), in the supermarket and even in the restaurants on campus, workers and people in public had no problem asking me about my baby, his sex, name, due date, etc. It felt like being in 2 different worlds altogether.
I hope my documentary will help students at SLU and beyond become more aware and informed. I know I threw some people off with my own experiment, but I believe I only provided an element of surprise and was rather accepted by the student body around me and got them thinking more with how they accept and approach pregnant mothers on campus. Only with broad-based acceptance and support can women feel they can open up to the SLU community without fear of gossip or alienation- and the student body should be an integral part of this conversation.
[Images courtesy of PrettyInPink]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I’m really glad you did this. I think it really opened people’s eyes to the realities faced by pregnant college students.
PiP, you were very brave. I’m positive I wouldn’t have had the nerve to do what you did. You heart for pregnant mothers really shows.
Thanks you guys :)
You are a remarkable young woman PIP! Way to go!!
Haha…what an awesome project! Kudos to you for doing that.
I go to a community college so it’s a totally different atmosphere–there are a lot of mothers there. But I know whenever I see a pregnant woman, wherever I am, I am just so attracted to that. Pregnancy is so beautiful to me, no matter how the baby might have been conceived. And I just love it when pregnant mothers put their hands on their bellies…it’s soooo cute! :D
I think this is a great effort and have blogged on it. I hope other college students follow in your footsteps and this leads to a change among colleges where stigma is reduced for and pregnant and parenting college students are given more resources.
Thanks everyone- and thanks Rachael C! Feel free to get it out there any way you want! :)
PIP
Good work!
I am impressed with your tenacity and perseverence.
yor bro ken