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Opinion: How do we view the American womb and female body?

A man wears a sign on his back that reads "Unborn Lives Matter" as he and other anti-abortion protesters wearing doctors uniforms demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Washington, as the court hears arguments in a case from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, well before viability. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) A man wears a sign on his back that reads "Unborn Lives Matter" as he and other anti-abortion protesters wearing doctors uniforms demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Washington, as the court hears arguments in a case from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, well before viability. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

By David Cook December 11, 2021 4 min read

When my wife was pregnant with our two children I felt many things: elation, trepidation, awe.

And a slight bit of envy.

Alongside the joy and wonder of witnessing her birth our son then daughter, I was subtly jealous.

She carried our children inside her. Birthed them, nurtured them. They were a part of her. Literally.

Such intimate connection with them was immeasurable compared to mine. I did all I could – changing diapers, cuddling and coo-cooing – but still remained distant, watching from the sidelines as the JV parent.