Growing and birthing a baby is a miracle, right? We don’t have to go far to be hit with a steady stream of just how miraculous it all is. But truth be told, it can get a little nauseating, and when you’re pregnant, you’re probably nauseated enough. That’s why hearing about something other than the beauty of it all can be downright refreshing.
Enter actress, comedian and fierce-mama Amy Schumer, who let the world in on, not just the beauty and wonder of her 2019 pregnancy, but the downright painful, debilitating and, yes, barf-worthy parts, too. She routinely shared the ups and downs of pregnancy on her social media platforms, on her Netflix special and anywhere else she got the chance. In typical Schumer form, she stayed every bit as honest as we’ve come to expect, and then some.
Here are 30 things we learned about pregnancy from Schumer (and her “royal” baby boy, Gene Attell Fischer).
You Might Throw Up — a Ton
Throughout Amy Schumer’s pregnancy, she didn’t hide or shy away from her battle with hyperemesis gravidarum (H.G.), a form of severe and often debilitating pregnancy sickness that can last all day and even throughout the entire pregnancy. In fact, she even showed us images and videos of her, mid-puke. And she had to cancel shows starting in February 2019 due to “complications.”
While it might’ve been TMI for some, those who have suffered through H.G. (myself included) sincerely appreciated how she chose to, not only acknowledge it, but continuously share what it feels like to be ill for months on end. Typically, we only hear about standard “morning sickness” that is unpleasant, absolutely, but doesn’t really alter one’s ability to live a normal life. Schumer let us in on the nitty gritty of dealing with H.G., educating the masses about something we don’t often see so up close and personal. And we’re grateful for it.
Being Pregnant Doesn’t Mean You Stop Being You
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In the Netflix special, Schumer joked about how women often feel the need to start acting sweet, kind, gentle, happy at every turn once they’re pregnant. “You don’t stop being you just because you’re pregnant. You don’t stop working … or drinking,” she joked in front of a doubled-over audience.
But while pregnancy might make us a little extra sentimental at times, since becoming a parent is a pretty intense experience, it’s true that it shouldn’t change the root of who we are. We evolve, yes. But remembering who we are and what makes us tick is pretty damn important, in pregnancy and beyond.
Having a Supportive Partner Is Amazing
Evan Agostini / Invision / AP File
Throughout her pregnancy, Schumer gave shout-outs to her new husband, Chris Fischer, for being amazingly supportive during her ups and downs. She talked about him at length in “Growing,” sharing details about their relationship, how beautiful he makes her feel and what a loving partner he is.
He’s also a chef, which is basically a pregnant woman’s dream come true. While a partner isn’t necessary to have a baby, and women can certainly rock it out on their own, Schumer is spot-on that being supported while doing the hard work of growing a baby can do wonders for the pregnant-mama soul.
Sometimes You Have to Power Through
It’s not unlikely that, while there are some perks to being a pregnant celeb, ya know, like top doctors and all, there are also immense challenges. When Schumer appeared on her Netflix special, she talked about how people are always telling her just how strong she was to show up on stage, night after night, regardless of how truly awful she was feeling (or how much she puked right before coming on stage). But Schumer shot back: “I’m contractually obligated to be here, guys,” she said, likely not joking, adding, “I will literally be sued by Live Nation.”
No doubt, if she had the option, she would’ve been posted up. Like all pregnant ladies know, though, sometimes you have to power through no matter how miserable you are.
