Genesis 29: 31-32 When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.  And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

In the midst of our trials, Heavenly Father sends us tender mercies to remind us that He is mindful of us and that we are loved.

 
I am sure that Jacob did not “hate” Leah, but it was clear that he favored Rachel.  Heavenly Father was mindful of “tender eyed” Leah (which I think means she had very poor eyesight – or very sensitive to sunlight - and needed help to go about her day), and gave her the tender mercy of being able to bear sons right away.  

In those ancient days, women that bore healthy sons were honored and revered, and Leah was blessed with four healthy sons pretty quickly.  This must have made her feel somewhat better about her sister being more favored than her.

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I had really terrible pregnancies, deliveries, and recoveries. I felt very close to death many times while I was pregnant. I remember being in so much pain many times that the only thing that got me through it was to sing my favorite hymn - I Need Thee Every Hour. When I would sing this hymn, I would feel the Spirit comfort me, and the pain would lessen.  

My afflictions drew me closer to my God.  He literally saved me from death through His priesthood and His tender mercy. I can compare myself to Leah, in that, even though I was suffering physically and mentally, I felt loved and cared for.  

I felt a loving Heavenly Father's care for me through His tender mercies.