I Walked a 5k at 8 Months Pregnant. Twice. Hereโs Why.
Most people don’t plan to walk a 5k at eight months pregnant once, let alone twice.
So when I say I’m doing the Hope Is Here 5k with the Postpartum Resource Center of New York at eight months pregnant again, it tends to raise some eyebrows.
Here’s the real reason I’m doing it.
The first time
The first time I walked this 5k, I was eight months pregnant with my son.
I was excited and nervous. I had no idea what postpartum was really going to be like. I just knew that maternal mental health mattered, and I wanted to stand with moms who were already in the thick of it.
Even then, before I fully understood my own postpartum journey, I felt pulled toward the moms who were struggling in silence.
Coming back again
Fast forward to now. My son is older, and this year he’ll be walking or running the 5k with his own race bib, right beside me.
I’ll be eight months pregnant again, carrying another baby, another birth, another postpartum season full of unknowns.
From the outside, it might look like a cute “full circle” moment. But for me, it’s much more than that.
It’s a living picture of what I believe:
- That our kids should grow up seeing us care about moms and mental health
- That they should see us talk honestly about hard things, not hide them
- That they should see us show up for families who are struggling, not just with words but with our feet, our time, and our money
What this has to do with “No Mom Walks Alone”
This is at the heart of my campaign, Hope Is Here: No Mom Walks Alone.
When we walk this 5k, we’re not just going around a course. We’re sending a message to every parent who feels invisible in their pain:
- We see you.
- We believe you.
- We’re willing to walk alongside you.
I’m not walking this 5k at eight months pregnant to be impressive.
I’m walking it to be visible.
To say with my actions what I deeply believe: no mom should have to carry postpartum struggles in isolation.
If you’ve ever felt alone in your mental health after having a baby, know this:
There are people who care.
There are organizations ready to help.
And there are communities, like the one we’re building through Hope Is Here, that want to walk this road with you.
If you’re looking for ways to support maternal mental health, you can join or donate to Team Mama Outspoken for the Hope Is Here 5k here: https://www.mamaoutspoken.com/teammamaoutspoken
If you want more real conversations around postpartum and maternal mental health, you can listen to the Mama Outspoken Podcast here.
You are invited to find community with us, check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. To learn more or grab your copy of the book, head here.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. One of our favorite resources is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York - you deserve support that sees you.
