The soft strains of Lana Del Rey’s Young and Beautiful fill the studio as I guide my students through their final positions. Their faces beam with pride, and I smile back, the briefest sense of normalcy washing over me. Teaching ballet has always been my passion, but now, it offers a fleeting escape from the complexities of my new life. With my morning sickness finally easing, now that I’ve hit the thirteenth week, teaching is enjoyable again.

“Excellent work, everyone. Remember to practice your arabesques for next week,” I say, clapping my hands together as the children file out, their chatter echoing in the room.