Romper

Steph Montgomery

Steph Montgomery writes for Romper's Identity team, covering topics related to parenting, feminism, maternal health, reproductive health, mental health, domestic abuse, sexual assault, divorce, sex and relationships, and (of course) astrology. Steph has also been published in The Cut, The Establishment, ACLU's STAND magazine, Grounded Parents, Live Well Omaha, and a variety of other print and online publications. Steph currently lives in rural Nebraska with her spouse, five kids, and cats. When she's not busy writing, chasing kids around, cleaning up messes, and trying to change the world, Steph enjoys snuggling, making pies, home improvement projects, politics, reading paranormal fiction, yoga, and fitness. She has been actively involved in the reproductive rights and sexual and domestic violence advocacy movements for more than 20 years and is a passionate pro-choice feminist.
7 Ways To Tell Your Pregnancy Is Going Well, According To Experts
If you’re anything like me, pregnancy is 40 weeks (more or less) of excitement, anticipation, and joy, but also stress, anxiety, and constant concern. Like many expecting parents, I loved the ability to listen to my baby's heartbeat, or my doctor's…
By Steph Montgomery
7 Signs You're Actually Dilating *Right Now*
Toward the end of your pregnancy, it's natural to feel a bit anxious and impatient. Especially if, like me, you're so ready to have your baby and leave that whole pregnancy thing behind you. So if you're sitting there, bloated and uncomfortable,…
By Steph Montgomery
14 Moms Share The Grossest Thing Their Kids Have Put In Their Mouth
In case you didn't know, kids are gross. From diaper blowouts and milk vomit, to cradle cap and their affinity for bugs and other small insects, there's no shortage of ways a child will undoubtably turn your stomach. But the real "fun" begins when…
By Steph Montgomery
Here's How Ovulation Can Cause Depression In Some People
Most anyone with ovaries can tell you that ovulation can cause a slew of symptoms, both physical and mental. But does ovulation cause depression? If you are tracking your ovulation in the hopes of getting pregnant, your mental health is just as…
By Steph Montgomery
Here's Why Your Vagina Itches At Night, According To Experts
If you have a vagina, then chances are vaginal itching is no mystery to you. What might be an enigma, however, is the intensity of that itching in the evening. So, if you've ever asked yourself, "Why does my vagina itch at night?" you aren't alone.…
By Steph Montgomery
Here's How The Flu Affects Ovulation & Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant
Ah, fall. That magical time of year when pumpkin spice lattes, boots, oversized sweaters, and the flu reign supreme. The possibility of contracting the flu is disconcerting for anyone, but it can be especially worrisome for people trying to get…
By Steph Montgomery
7 Moms Share Their Epic Multitasking Fails
Recently I enjoyed a rare day away from home, only to return to an unpleasant sight: a crying toddler, an overwhelmed husband, and a messy house. My husband said, "I don't know how you do it. Women must be better at multitasking than men." I wasn't…
By Steph Montgomery
How Much Should A Preemie Baby Eat? An Expert Explains
When you have your baby early you basically throw away any conventional resources about what to expect, because it can be so different. Guidelines for things like how much should a preemie baby eat, what they should eat, and how often they should…
By Steph Montgomery
6 Signs You're Pregnant With An IUD, According To An Expert
Andrea Poppy had been casually dating someone for a few months when she suspected she was pregnant. This came as a surprise, since she was using a Mirena IUD to prevent pregnancy, having heard it was one of the most effective forms of birth control.…
By Steph Montgomery
Here's When You Can Let Your Child Play Unsupervised, According To Experts
It was pretty amazing when my kids started playing by themselves. Seemingly overnight, they went from needing me to touch them at all times, to going to the park by themselves for hours. It was so nice to be able to read a book, cook dinner, and go…
By Steph Montgomery
8 Reasons TTC When You Already Have One Kid Is The Worst
I had always planned to have two kids, spaced three years apart. So, when my daughter was 2, her father and I decided to try to get pregnant. We learned pretty quickly that TTC when you already have one kid is the worst, and trying to have another…
By Steph Montgomery
Here's When Your Belly Will "Pop" With Twins
My mom didn't know she was pregnant with twins until a week before we were born. Now that I'm a mom I find that shocking, because my mom started to show right away and her doctor put her on a diet because she was "gaining too much weight."…
By Steph Montgomery
Here's What 6 Cm Dilation *Actually* Feels Like, According To Moms & Experts
It's been over 10 years since I first gave birth, and I can still remember what it felt like to be 6 centimeters dilated. I can recall begging my midwife to check my cervix, because I was sure, and desperately hoped, it was time to push. It wasn't.…
By Steph Montgomery
7 Signs Your Baby Feels Secure, According To Experts
As a new parent it's easy to feel overwhelmed, whether it be from the love you're feeling, to the exhaustion you're navigating, to the next-level amount of responsibility you're shouldering. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information…
By Steph Montgomery
How "Fed Is Best" Saved These 10 Breastfeeding Moms
As a soon-to-be mom, and after being inundated with the phrase "breast is best" for over nine months, I believed breastfeeding was more than just a way to feed my baby: it was the only way to be a good parent. So, when I couldn’t produce enough…
By Steph Montgomery
10 Moms Share Their Most Embarrassing School Drop-Off & Pick-Up Moments
Before my oldest started kindergarten, I assumed that school drop-off and pick-up was a no-brainer. You just pull up and let your kid out and repeat the same process, in reverse, in the afternoon, right? Wrong. I soon discovered that delivering your…
By Steph Montgomery
Here's How Your Baby Recognizes Your Unique Smell, According To Experts
If you've ever had a newborn, you've probably experienced the amazing (and weird) impact that your smell can have on your baby. My babies were soothed by my scent, so much so that I had to leave a pair of my sweaty and milk-stained pajamas behind…
By Steph Montgomery
Here's What It *Really* Means If Your Belly Is Low During Pregnancy
When I was pregnant, almost everyone I came across seemed hellbent on visually analyzing my baby bump, then letting me know what it said about me and my pregnancy. Some people believe the position of your belly can predict a future baby's sex or…
By Steph Montgomery
Here's What You Should Know About Artificial Insemination
If you want to get pregnant, but need to make it happen in an "unconventional" way, you might find yourself considering artificial insemination. While this procedure is often done in a clinic or hospital setting, if money is tight or you want your…
By Steph Montgomery
15 Moms Share The Low-Key Weird Things They Do After Their Kids Go To Sleep
Not only is parenthood wonderful and challenging, fulfilling and frustrating... it's weird. Because it required a total shift in consciousness, away from my own needs and towards these tiny humans I was 100% responsible for, I've had to get, shall…
By Steph Montgomery