A single woman did not let her pregnancy get in the way of her love life and managed to find love after daring to use dating apps while pregnant.
After the father to-be split from her 19 weeks into her pregnancy, heartbroken Megan Dowling bounced back from the breakup, getting back on the dating scene.
The hairstylist found a new love who supported her through the latter stages of the pregnancy and was ready to be the baby’s stepdad.
Megan, from Atlanta, Georgia, USA, said: “I know dating while pregnant is unconventional, but you deserve love just as much as the next person.
“Your baby deserves a mama who is full of happiness and joy.
“Of course, be safe and make sure you’re still guarding your heart and protecting your peace – but just because you’re pregnant, it does not mean you’re undeserving.”
Megan met her ex-partner after her friend invited her to go to his birthday dinner and the pair hit it off.
Just nine months into their relationship, and whilst the hairstylist was 19 weeks pregnant, she said he suddenly decided that he wasn’t ready for children.
After being inspired by her support network and an old TV show, Megan got back on the dating scene where she managed to meet someone on Hinge who she was happy to bring into her unborn daughter’s life.
At the time of meeting her new partner, she was seven months pregnant and said he was extremely supportive since they got together.
The couple took it day by day after the arrival of baby Meadow.
While Megan’s new partner was not present for her daughter’s birth, the pair reconnected the following day.
She explained: “Around nine months into our relationship, I was 19 weeks pregnant when my ex decided he wasn’t ready to be a dad.
“I was extremely heartbroken, at first, but thankfully, I have such a great support system who lifted me up and I was able to move past it quickly.
“I’ve always been one to not stress over things I can’t control – I still reach out to my ex and update him on my pregnancy.
“It was less about being sad about our relationship and more about being sad I was bringing a baby into a broken home.”
Megan added: “I started receiving so many compliments from guys on Instagram and was shocked.
“Then I came across an old TV series, Pregnant and Dating.
“I tried to find more on TikTok and blogs about other women, but there’s not much out there.
“Since then, I’ve discovered that a lot of pregnant women do date but they’re just embarrassed to talk about it.
“I know I could’ve used someone else’s stories to help me in the beginning so I hope I do the same.”
Megan’s dating profile looked just like any other with updated photos of herself, but just selfies.
The only difference is that she listed that she had children when she was in fact very pregnant.
The mum added: “I never imagined I would actually be able to find such a genuine person in my situation.
“He’s helped me so much and has made me feel loved.
“My mum loves him just as much as me, and I can’t wait to see what our future holds.
“I don’t want to force him into taking care of someone else’s child, but he also knows that comes with dating me.
“We’re just going to see how things play out and take it day by day.”
She said: “He definitely has some nerves, but I think all in all he just wants to show me the love that I deserve.
“He never lets me open a door, he cooks multiple nights a week, checks on me when he can see I’m uncomfortable and is currently bringing me breakfast to the hospital since it’s running late!
“He’s the kindest soul and I totally lucked out finding him.
“He’s helped me with so much around my house and nursery. He’s always keeping me active and happy.
“Most importantly, he has kids of his own so he understands how difficult pregnancy can be.
“He just wishes I would’ve had a better beginning, but the ending has been perfect.”