I don’t know the story of my birth. They myth is that my mom wanted a large family – I don’t think my dad did – and my mom miscarried, a few times.
I never wanted kids. And somehow, not because I was particularly careful, I avoided ever being pregnant. It was a relief to realize at 40 I was entering a somewhat early menopause. I had been waiting for biology to override my choice not to be a parent. I thought my body would betray me. At 46 the medical assistant congratulated me when I was 10 months without bleeding. I wasn’t the only one who considered it a victory.