The dark side of pregnancy isn't talked about enough

After giving birth to my son, I suffered from pancreatitis and cholecystitis it was severe and life threatening. Gallstones caused it, and the ordeal resulted in me being admitted to hospital for a week and later having my gallbladder removed. Thankfully, I’m here to tell the tale.

- IJE TEUNISSEN-OLIGBOH

But you probably hadn't heard about the correlation between gallstones and pregnancy until now. I didn't know, and nor did those around me, that my near-fatal condition could be caused by being pregnant. And that's no wonder, because no one is talking about it.

It seems unbelievable that, although everyone on this planet came from a pregnancy, there is such a great taboo surrounding the topic. Women are often expected to shoulder the job alone, without big networks of support, confiding only with one or two people. Because there's a lie that's festered for years in our society, and it's harmful: that pregnancy is all roses, love hearts and smiles. "You're glowing," they say.