You’re not failing — you’re just not a mythical superhero (and that’s okay).

Let’s set the scene: You wake up after 2.5 hours of broken sleep, vaguely remember crying over a dog food commercial, and spill Weet-Bix on your only non-stained shirt. Somewhere in your brain, a tiny voice whispers, “Shouldn’t I be doing this better?”

Let’s shut that voice down real quick.

Because you, my love, are growing a human. Your body is doing Olympic-level acrobatics without asking for applause. You’re showing up, waddling through life, and Googling “can I eat brie?” at 2am. And still — still! — you think you’re not doing enough?

You don’t need to be a superhero. You just need to be a human… growing another human.

The Superwoman Complex Needs a Reality Check

We’ve all met her — or at least the fantasy version of her. She’s glowing, productive, always on top of her emails, meal-prepping organic kale smoothies while doing prenatal yoga and casually running a business. Her baby bump? Immaculate. Her attitude? Serene. Her hair? Suspiciously clean.

But here’s the plot twist: She doesn’t exist.

That whole “do it all” vibe? It's a lie sold by a culture that values hustle over healing and productivity over presence. And it’s especially cruel to pregnant women, who are supposed to be nesting peacefully but end up stressing over stretch marks, nursery aesthetics, and what shade of beige is on-trend for swaddles.

• You don’t have to write a birth plan that reads like a thesis.
• You don’t have to have a Pinterest-worthy baby shower.
• You don’t have to enjoy every minute. (Some minutes suck.)

You just have to be he

re. Present. Honest. Real. Maybe a little bit bloated. Definitely powerful.

Perfection is cancelled. Presence is the new flex.

Second Trimester: The Chill (ish) Zone

Okay, yes. The second trimester is often called the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy. Your energy comes back (sort of), your bump is cute and not yet overwhelming, and food starts to taste like food again. But just because it’s better than the first trimester doesn’t mean it’s easy.

There’s still the backaches, the swollen ankles, the existential spirals at 3am. You might feel great one day, then nap for 6 hours the next. One week you’re Marie Kondo-ing your linen closet, the next you’re crying because your partner bought the wrong brand of crackers.

And you know what? That’s all valid. The second trimester is not a productivity sprint. It’s a reset. A chance to rest, realign, and remember that growing life is the ultimate slow burn.

If you’re pregnant and vertical, you’re already crushing it.

Let’s Talk About the Invisible Work

Growing a baby isn’t just a belly thing. It’s a brain thing. An emotional thing. An entire identity shift that no one sees because you’re still posting bump pics and trying to be chill.

You’re imagining your baby’s future, planning for a new normal, grieving the old one, and trying to keep your houseplants alive. That’s work. That’s labour. That’s emotional heavy lifting that deserves more recognition than society gives it.

So when your brain is mush and your

to-do list is longer than a Kardashian lash extension, cut yourself some slack. You’re doing the most — even when it looks like a lot of laying down.

Invisible work is still work. And you’re putting in overtime, queen.

The Real MVP? Comfort That Works as Hard as You Do

Let’s be honest: being uncomfortable is basically a pregnancy side hustle. That’s why what you wear matters — a lot. Your jeans? Fired. That one hoodie that smells like popcorn and dreams? Promoted to Head of Comfort Affairs.

But if you haven’t tried Emamaco’s maternity leggings or shorts yet, now is the time. We’re talking cloud-soft, bump-loving, no-sag, no-judgement wardrobe staples that make you feel held (without the awkward small talk). Trust — it’s like putting your legs into a support group.

Whether you’re lounging, nesting, crying, or getting sh*t done, Emamaco has your back — and your bump.

Comfy clothes, emotional support, and snacks. The holy trinity of surviving pregnancy.

Five Things You’re Allowed to Let Go Of (Right Now)

• Guilt about your to-do list
  
  .
• Comparison scrolling (she’s not you).
• That unread parenting book giving you the side-eye.
• The need to be “on” all the time.
• The idea that asking for help = weakness. (It’s the opposite.)

You don’t have to be strong all the time. You don’t have to carry it all. You don’t have to prove anything. You just have to keep showing up, in whatever messy, magical way you can.

Your worth isn’t measured in output. It’s measured in presence, love, and snacks shared.

Final Thoughts: You’re Already Enough

The myth of Superwoman is just that — a myth. Real women bleed, stretch, cry, nap, laugh, create life, and forget where they left their car keys. Real women ask for help. Real women prioritise their rest. Real women do the real work — even when no one’s watching.

You’re not failing. You’re doing something miraculous. And if all you do today is grow that baby and eat a cookie? Well played.

So here’s your permission slip to slow down, breathe deep, and ignore anyone who tells you to “do more.”
You’re already doing the most — just by being you.

Xoxo,
The Emamaco Team