I didn’t realize how much I misunderstood teen moms until I read Leila Mottley’s The Girls Who Grew Big. If you’ve ever felt like society lumps young mothers into unfair stereotypes, this novel is a game-changer. It follows three young women from a small Florida town navigating pregnancy and motherhood, written by a young novelist who also works as a doula — giving her story an authentic, compassionate edge.

Reading about the complexities of these young women’s experiences made me pause and think: How far have we really come in understanding motherhood, especially when it comes to fertility and conception?

Breaking Down Misconceptions — One Story at a Time

Teen moms are often painted with broad, judgmental strokes — seen as unprepared or irresponsible. But Mottley’s storytelling peels back those layers to reveal hope, resilience, and strength. It’s a reminder that pregnancy and parenting journeys are deeply personal and unique, no matter your age.

And here’s where it gets really interesting: while Mottley’s narrative centers on young women in a traditional pregnancy context, it also highlights a crucial truth that resonates with all people trying to conceive today — that the journey isn’t always straightforward, and support should be accessible and stigma-free.

Fertility Journeys Today: Beyond the Clinic Walls

Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape of fertility options has shifted dramatically. Many people are exploring alternatives to clinical visits, including at-home insemination kits. These kits empower individuals and couples to take control of their conception journey in the privacy and comfort of their own homes.

MakeAMom, for example, provides reusable, cost-effective insemination kits like the CryoBaby, Impregnator, and BabyMaker — each designed to address different needs such as low sperm motility or sensitivities like vaginismus. Their approach aligns with the ethos behind Mottley’s work: understanding unique fertility challenges and supporting people in creating families on their own terms.

What struck me is that both the young moms in The Girls Who Grew Big and users of innovative at-home fertility tools are navigating less-traveled paths toward parenthood, often facing societal misconceptions but pushing through with hope and determination.

Why Does This Matter to You?

If you or someone you know is exploring conception — whether you’re young, part of the LGBTQ+ community, or facing fertility challenges — stories like Mottley’s novel and advancements like MakeAMom’s kits remind us that:

• Motherhood doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all story.
• Support and resources should be accessible to all, in all forms.
• Technology and empathy can dismantle stigma and open new doors.

A Little More About the Novel

As NPR highlighted in their review “A young novelist takes on misconceptions about teen moms in 'The Girls Who Grew Big'”, Mottley brings a deeply human perspective to a topic that’s often oversimplified. Reading her work felt like sitting down with a close friend who knows the struggles and joys of motherhood intimately.

How At-Home Insemination Fits Into Modern Parenthood

With stigma still attached to non-traditional conception methods, at-home kits offer a discreet, empowering alternative. Take MakeAMom’s products — they ship plainly packaged with no identifying information, ensuring privacy in sensitive journeys. Plus, their average success rate of 67% is nothing short of encouraging.

What if you could combine the empathy and understanding Mottley champions with the practical, flexible tools that companies like MakeAMom provide? It becomes clear that the future of fertility is about choice, dignity, and innovation.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Whether you’re a young mom, someone planning your first insemination, or simply interested in how motherhood stories are evolving, The Girls Who Grew Big offers a fresh lens on strength and vulnerability.

And the world of fertility technology is catching up, offering realistic, user-friendly ways to conceive that respect diverse needs and experiences.

If you want to explore some of these options or learn more, check out MakeAMom’s at-home insemination kits — a thoughtful resource for anyone navigating their unique journey.

So tell me, what’s your story? Have you encountered surprising challenges or found unexpected hope in your path to parenthood? Share your thoughts below — let’s keep the conversation going and continue breaking down old stereotypes together.