In the latest episode of the Luli Health Podcast, we’re honored to sit down with doula Marlee Dunwoody for a deeply moving conversation about the complex reality of unplanned pregnancy. Marlee shares her personal story, reflecting on what it meant to navigate an unexpected pregnancy—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
As both a mother and a doula, Marlee brings a uniquely grounded perspective. She speaks not only from lived experience, but also from walking alongside others in some of their most vulnerable moments. Together, we explore the fear, surrender, resilience, and unexpected beauty that can emerge when life shifts directions.
If you’re currently navigating an unplanned pregnancy, supporting someone who is, or simply want to broaden your understanding—this episode offers grace, truth, and deep encouragement. It's a conversation about letting go of shame, embracing choice, and finding strength in the story you didn’t expect to write.
The Mental Battle Is Real
Unplanned pregnancy often sets off a deep internal battle — not just logistical, but emotional and spiritual too. You might feel frozen between fear and instinct, logic and love.
Questions swirl:
-
How will I tell my family or partner?
-
Will I lose everything I’ve worked for?
-
Can I really raise a child?
-
What if I’m not enough?
These aren’t easy questions, and you don’t have to answer them all at once. In fact, you shouldn’t try to.
That’s where the 3T Rule comes in.
The 3T Rule: Give Yourself Space
When you feel like you can’t face the next step, Marlee talks about the 3T Rule:
Today
Tomorrow
This week
If you can’t handle it today, tomorrow, or even this week — put it aside.
Write it down. Come back to it later.
The Joy No One Told You About
It’s easy to focus on the fear and chaos of the unknown. What we don’t talk about enough is what comes after the fear.
The moment you first hear a heartbeat.
The way your body transforms to make room for life.
The feeling of tiny fingers wrapped around yours.
The way motherhood makes you stronger, softer, and more resilient than you ever imagined.
Motherhood — even when it begins unplanned — can become a sacred gift. One that changes your heart, your future, and your understanding of what it means to love deeply.
You don’t have to have all the answers right now. You just need one next step.
-
Reach out to someone you trust.
-
Find a life-affirming support group or pregnancy resource center.
-
Write down your fears, your hopes, your “what ifs.”
-
Let yourself rest in the unknown without rushing toward the end of the story.
The truth is: this can be a beautiful chapter, even if it wasn’t the one you expected to write.
You are not a mistake.
This child is not a mistake.
And with love, support, and time — this unexpected journey can become one of your life’s most meaningful stories.
If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, we’re here for you. You are seen, you are valued, and you are never alone.
Comments: