Kourtney Kardashian was 30 years old when she gave birth to her first child, a son named Mason Dash Disick, on December 14, 2009. Her journey into motherhood played out on her family‘s hit reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Read on for a deep dive into Kourtney‘s life leading up to having Mason, her pregnancy and birth experience, adjusting to life as a mom, and the special connection she shares with her firstborn.
Kourtney‘s Early Life and Career
Before taking on mom duties, Kourtney had already established herself as a successful businesswoman and TV personality. Let‘s look back at how she got her start.
Kourtney was born on April 18, 1979 in Los Angeles, California. After graduating high school in 1997, she moved to Dallas to attend Southern Methodist University for two years. She then transferred to the University of Arizona and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor‘s degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Spanish.
Early on, Kourtney had an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2004, she opened a children‘s clothing store called Smooch in Los Angeles with her younger sister Khloé Kardashian. This foray into kids‘ fashion and retail was good preparation for her future role as a mom.
Kourtney first hit the spotlight in 2005, when she began appearing on her family friend Nicole Richie‘s reality show Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive. This led to her family filming a 2007 pilot entitled Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which E! picked up as a series.
The show was an instant hit, catapulting the whole family to fame. Audiences felt like they knew the sisters as they got a glimpse into their relationships, careers, and personal lives. During the early seasons, Kourtney‘s on-again, off-again romance with Scott Disick was a central focus.
Finding Out She Was Expecting at 30
In 2009 during season 4 of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, a 30 year old Kourtney discovered she was pregnant.
Kourtney first had suspicions she might be expecting in early 2009. She took a pregnancy test with her friend Jonathan Cheban which came back positive. She later took four more pregnancy tests that were also all positive.
Kourtney reflected that the timing felt right, telling People Magazine:
“When I became pregnant, I knew that it was just something I needed to do. I was 30 years old, I’d always wanted to be a young mom.”
She broke the news to Scott through a thoughtful gift, as shown on KUWTK. She gave him a shirt that said "Baby Daddy" with a positive pregnancy test attached. Scott was in shock but also ecstatic.
According to US Weekly, Kourtney later said:
"Scott and I were nervous and excited. We had no idea what to expect."
Overall, deciding to start a family just felt natural for 30 year old Kourtney.
Details of Kourtney‘s First Pregnancy with Mason
Kourtney had a relatively smooth pregnancy with Mason. But it still came with its fair share of challenges and memorable moments that she openly shared.
Kourtney craved healthy foods like avocado and carrots during her pregnancy. But her biggest craving was frozen yogurt from Pinkberry!
Intense morning sickness plagued Kourtney early on. She was constantly nauseous and found food aromas triggering.
Kourtney elected not to find out the sex of the baby before the delivery. She and Scott wanted to be surprised.
To document her pregnancy, she let cameras follow her receiving ultrasounds and attending doctor visits.
Kourtney admitted feeling self conscious and unattractive with her changing pregnant body at first. But she came to embrace her curves.
Swimming and prenatal yoga helped Kourtney stay active during pregnancy without too much discomfort.
Kourtney opted for a natural, medication-free birth plan with minimal medical intervention. She took classes to prepare for an unmedicated labor.
At her baby shower, Kourtney received many luxurious gifts including a Versace baby carriage and Gucci baby backpack.
Overall, Kourtney appreciated her body‘s journey through pregnancy and felt humbled preparing to become a mother.
Mason Dash Disick‘s Birth on December 14, 2009
On December 14, 2009 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Kourtney gave birth via c-section to her first child, Mason Dash Disick. Mason weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz and measured 19.6 inches long.
Kourtney has since explained that Mason arrived by c-section because he was breech. She went into labor naturally but when Mason didn‘t descend, her doctor recommended a c-section for safety.
Kourtney described meeting Mason for the first time, telling People Magazine:
“The moment Mason was born, I knew my life would never be the same. I knew I wanted to be a mommy forever."
Bringing a new baby home for the first time was both exhilarating and terrifying. Kourtney had a huge new responsibility caring for this tiny human.
Comparing Kourtney‘s Experience to the Average First Time Mom
How did Kourtney‘s first journey through pregnancy and motherhood compare to most women? Let‘s look at some statistics.
The average age for a first time mother in the United States is:
- 26 years old for women with a high school degree
- 28 years old for women with some college
- 30 years old for women with a 4-year college degree
So at 30 years old, Kourtney was right on track with other college educated women having their first child.
Other data on U.S. first time mothers:
- Average gestational age is 39 weeks
- 32% give birth via c-section
- 68% attend prenatal classes
- 89% gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy
Kourtney‘s full-term pregnancy, baby prep classes, and 25 pound weight gain put her right in line with typical experiences. However, her c-section delivery was below the 32% average.
One major difference was Kourtney‘s access to excellent prenatal care with top doctors. She also had financial resources most women don‘t have, allowing her to prepare a decadent baby nursery and enjoy luxuries like spa days.
But despite her privilege, in many ways Kourtney‘s first pregnancy and new mom challenges mirrored those of other women.
Adjusting to Motherhood and Co-Parenting with Scott
Like many new moms, Kourtney found the early weeks of motherhood exhausting but incredible.
In her birth announcement, she shared:
“Having Mason has changed our lives in ways we dreamed and ways we couldn’t even imagine.”
Based on what she went through those first few months, Kourtney offered advice to new moms:
- Don‘t hesitate to ask for help – have family and friends pitch in with meals, errands, etc.
- Sleep whenever possible – nap when the baby naps!
- Accept that the house will be messy and dishes will pile up.
- Prioritize connecting with the baby over getting things done.
- Take time to shower, get fresh air, and care for yourself too.
Co-parenting Mason with on-again, off-again partner Scott Disick also had ups and downs. Scott was reluctant to take on full fatherly responsibilities at first.
But after going to rehab and getting sober, Scott committed to his role as Mason‘s dad. Kourtney now praises Scott‘s parenting, saying:
“He’s been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better dad for my kids.”
Expanding the Family Over the Years
On July 8, 2012 when Kourtney was 32 years old, she gave birth to daughter Penelope Scotland Disick. And on December 14, 2014 at age 35, she had her third child, son Reign Aston Disick.
Kourtney cherished being a family of five, telling Redbook:
“Seeing my kids interact and grow up together is amazing. I have learned so much about myself from motherhood.”
She kept life grounded for the kids with family movie nights, outdoor activities, and teaching them manners. But they also enjoyed dream vacations to places like Finland and Bali.
Today at age 43, Kourtney continues to embrace motherhood. She is currently expecting her fourth child – her first baby with new husband Travis Barker.
Kourtney‘s Special Connection with Her First Born Mason
Mason will always hold the special distinction of being the child that made Kourtney a mother. Kourtney credits Mason with changing her priorities and shaped her into the woman she is today.
She has called Mason “the best thing that ever happened to her.” His birth taught her what true love is and how magical life is.
Mason instantly became Kourtney‘s little sidekick. She enjoys their regular mom-son days out – going to museums, restaurants, the movies, or vacations together.
Now age 13, Mason has grown into a considerate, funny, outgoing kid who‘s "the sweetest boy in the world" according to Kourtney.
Kourtney feels comfortable talking to Mason about puberty, peer pressure, and anything else he wants to discuss. She values their open communication and strong bond.
For his 10th birthday, Kourtney penned on Instagram:
“You have taught me so much and I am beyond blessed to have you as my son. I could not have dreamed up a better child.”
The love between Kourtney and her first baby Mason is palpable. She feels so proud watching him grow into a young man.
In Conclusion
When Kourtney Kardashian gave birth to Mason Dash Disick on December 14, 2009, she embarked on her life-changing journey of motherhood. At age 30, she experienced pregnancy, birth, and all the highs and lows of parenting firsthand.
While Kourtney’s fame and wealth afforded her privileges, in many ways her pregnancy and new mom struggles reflected those of average women. She found the transition to motherhood equally thrilling and terrifying.
Co-parenting with on-again, off-again partner Scott Disick had its ups and down over the years. But they‘ve worked hard to successfully raise three kids together.
Of all her children, Kourtney shares the closest bond with her firstborn Mason. His arrival taught her unconditional love and shaped her priorities. She feels grateful for the amazing young man he has become.
