Mum's post on surrogacy PROVES us women are badass
For some women, pregnancy can happen easily without too much thought, but for others it can be a lot more difficult.
Infertility is the reality for too many women, and many rely on surrogacy and egg donation to be able to have children.
And this is where Mel Holman comes in.
A surrogate of two babies as well an egg donor, thanks to Mel, 18 children have been born using her donated eggs.
She shared her story on blogger Constance Hall's Facebook page recently, and her inspirational words prove that women are badass.
"A few weeks ago I gave birth to a baby boy. This is me holding him," she wrote.
"He was perfect – a screaming newborn mess, lifted off my stomach and put gently into his Mother’s loving arms.
"Those arms were not mine. She’s next to me in this picture.
"I’m a surrogate, and he was the second baby I placed in another mother's arms."
Highlighting the importance of starting a family for some women and the devastation when they struggle, Mel continued:
"Mothers are often expected to do it all and make it look easy. But it's not easy.
"I've learned it’s not always simple to become a mother. 1 in 5 couples have some issues with their fertility."
It was one person who started Mel's journey, after the nurse came across one woman in tears.
"While working as a nurse, one day I came across a woman in tears. She was devastated after yet another round of failed IVF. All I wanted to do was fix it for her," she explained.
"I first donated my eggs to a woman who had been trying to conceive for 13 years."
And it's the strength and resilience of these women as they go through an incredibly trying time that amazes Mel.
"They are fierce and bold and determined to keep trying, even when they are scared and feel let down – over and over. For many, their perseverance paid off.
"Now they're Mums who get a rainbow macaroni necklace on Mother’s Day just like I do. But it wasn't easy.
"Maybe you can't change the world. But you can give the world to someone, and change their life."