These conversations were not always comfortable.
But parenthood had taught them that avoiding difficult subjects did not make them disappear.
Planning was part of loving their child.
The couple said they wanted to create as much stability as possible.
They understood that nobody could predict the future.
But they could prepare for it.
What the Pregnancy Taught Them
Looking back, the couple said the pregnancy had taught them several things.
The first was that people are often quick to judge situations they do not understand.
The second was that medical reality is more complicated than internet speculation.
The third was that pregnancy should never be treated casually, particularly when there are significant medical risk factors.
And the fourth was that relationships are tested by actions rather than declarations.
The 25-year-old partner could have walked away when the criticism became intense.
Instead, according to the fictional story, he stayed.
The woman could have allowed public criticism to dictate her decisions.