Jen Affleck is sharing an intimate look at the moment she welcomed her daughter, Penny. The “Dancing With the Stars” star gave fans a closer look at her birthing experience as she shared her unmedicated birth video.
“Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star mentioned that the video did not make the cut for the season 3 reunion of the Hulu series. She shares it all in hopes that another mom out there feels a little less alone.
The Emotional Story Behind Jen Affleck’s Unmedicated Birth and Pregnancy Struggles
“My birth video didn’t make it into the season 3 reunion, so here it is now,” she wrote. “The day Penny came into my life was truly unforgettable. Going unmedicated was a wild ride, but it perfectly symbolized everything Penny and I have been through.”
GettyJen said Penny became her “greatest healer” during a pregnancy she described as “the hardest thing I’ve ever faced.” She added that the journey reminded her “just how incredible women are, what our bodies endure, and what we’re truly capable of.”
Joining DWTS Eight Weeks Postpartum: ‘A Dream of Mine’
Disney/ABCJust two months after giving birth to her third child, Jen stepped onto the ballroom floor for season 34 of “Dancing With the Stars.”
She was paired with professional dancer Jan Ravnik, who previously performed on Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour.”
Participating in the show, she says, fulfilled a lifelong wish. “It was obviously a dream of mine to be able to dance in front of millions of people… but more than anything, it was a dream of mine to share my story,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
Jen said she wanted to represent mothers facing postpartum and prenatal depression. “Even though it was challenging being on the show, I was able to reach a lot more people because of it and bring awareness to that.”
How Jen and Jan Reacted to Their ‘DWTS’ Elimination
After being voted off on Halloween Night, Jen and Jan spoke to Extra about their emotional exit.
Jen reflected on the performance that closed their run. “I feel grateful… I really worked hard, not only this whole journey, but especially with the dance that we did tonight. I feel like it was our best performance yet. I’m grateful we were able to go home on a good note.”
Jan added, “She left everything onstage. She was just incredible.” He admitted they were “shocked” by the elimination but chose not to take it personally.
Their final dance was set to Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do,” a choice Jen said was deeply meaningful.
“I chose this song because not only do I love Taylor Swift, but I also resonate with her in a lot of ways,” she explained. “I feel like I’ve had a lot of people doubt me… But just like Taylor, I used that negativity to fuel me tonight.”
A Message to Mothers: “You Can Fulfill Your Dreams Too”
For Jen, the biggest impact of being on the show came from showing other mothers what’s possible. “The biggest takeaway is that I was able to do this starting eight weeks postpartum,” she said.
“This is really for all the moms out there. I really just wanted to show that even being eight weeks postpartum and having three babies, you can fulfill your dreams, too.”
She added that the experience made her a better parent. “In return, your kids get the best, happiest version of you.”
Jen’s message is simple: even in the most challenging moments, motherhood can reveal a strength you never knew you had.
