Serena Williams wowed in a gorgeous black and white gown encrusted with hundreds of pearls at the MET Ball. Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, accompanied her on the red carpet.
The tennis legend surprised everyone when she confirmed her second pregnancy during an interview with Vogue’s La La Anthony. Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., the couple’s eldest child, will soon have a sibling to share her travels with.
Williams isn’t afraid to reveal intimate details about her first birth experience. She already described how, after giving birth to Olympia in 2022, she saved her own life.
The athlete recently revealed in a personal piece from Amy Schumer and Christy Turlington Burns’ collection “Arrival Stories: Women Sharing Their Experiences of Becoming Mothers” that the key to her survival was standing up for herself. It was a terrifying experience for Williams, one she hopes does not happen to other women.
She is an outspoken supporter of maternal healthcare and has used her position to raise awareness. Williams is excited to expand her family and continue her crusade for better maternal healthcare with her second pregnancy.
Williams mused about how her body had been entirely devoted to tennis for so long. Her body had undergone numerous injuries, and she had grown all too familiar with it. Her body’s priorities shifted considerably once she became pregnant.
Her body was now entirely dedicated to developing and growing her unborn baby rather than tennis. The unexpected pregnancy happened just two days before the 2017 Australian Open.
Her goals in life have evolved since she gave birth to her kid. While she is still one of the world’s most decorated and successful tennis players, winning and achieving more titles is no longer her top priority.
Instead, she is grateful for her healthy baby girl and values the sport for the life lessons it provides. For her, there is more value in the game than merely winning. She believes there are vital lessons to be taught, which she intends to focus on for now.
The piece’s author demonstrates remarkable resilience, having learned to recover from setbacks and being willing to stand up for justice even when it is unpopular.
This was demonstrated when she fought to have her child tested, needing to raise her voice and make a commotion for her child to receive the attention he deserved.
The author also talked about how she struggled to connect with her kid during pregnancy, despite being protective of her and excited to meet her.
While she enjoyed the experience of carrying her child, she did not have the typical magical moment of falling in love with her baby right away.
She hoped to develop a stronger bond with her child during her pregnancy, but this did not happen. Hearing from other mothers who had gone through the same thing made her feel less alone, but her need for a deeper connection remained.
Serena Williams revealed insights about her challenging birth experience in a recent piece. She described her hope for a calm and affirming environment but ended up in a chaotic and congested delivery room.
In addition to the multiple meetings that were going on around her, Williams stated that she was in desperate need of precise and aggressive supervision.
Williams eventually decided to have a C-section and expressed gratitude for her doctor’s advice and skills.
Although control and power are essential components of athletics, she noted that it is sometimes necessary to relinquish control and trust in the expertise of others.
Williams’ incident exemplifies the harsh reality many Black women in the United States suffer. Black women are approximately three times more likely than white women to die after childbirth, and many of these deaths may be avoided.
Williams emphasized the importance of being heard and receiving high-quality care during the birthing process.
Williams’ tale serves as a reminder of how much work remains to ensure that all women, regardless of color or status, have access to safe and compassionate delivery care.
Williams’ story has raised awareness of this vital issue and inspired action within the medical community.
Williams said in a recount of her health worry that none of the nurses around her seemed to be taking her concerns seriously. Williams got a CAT scan of her lungs only after several procedures and conversations with her doctor.
She expressed gratitude to her doctor after the scan revealed a blood clot in her lungs. The physicians acted quickly, placing a filter into her veins to remove the clot before it could damage her heart. Williams fought hard during the process and eventually triumphed over the medical scare.
