I Didn’t Want to Have Kids. My Husband Did. Could Our Marriage Survive?

Helena de Groot discusses her personal journey of grappling with the decision of whether or not to have children, a central theme in her podcast "Creation Myth." She recounts her initial certainty about not wanting kids, influenced by her aunt's inspiring, child-free life, and the societal pressures she faced in her early twenties. Her marriage introduced complexities when her husband expressed a desire for children, leading to internal conflict and an accidental pregnancy. The emotional turmoil culminated in an abortion, which, despite initial relief, strained her marriage and ultimately led to its dissolution. Later, a new relationship prompted her to consider permanent sterilization, triggering deeper questions about her identity and the true reasons behind her choice, ultimately deciding against the surgery and accepting the uncertainty of her decision.