Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Finding Out and Announcing Pregnancy

No - I'm not pregnant again. Don't worry!
I started my blog when C was 4 months old so I'm just looking back on times before that.

I didn't announce my pregnancy in the usual way. I was 19 when C was conceived and I turned 20 a few weeks later. I think my parents still saw me as a child and the thought of telling them terrified me. It took me 6 weeks to even realise!

I had a lump in my armpit. The usual thoughts overwhelmed me, you know, the C word. I ignored it. I was so ill with the worst stomach cramps, lying in bed for about a week barely eating or drinking anything. My 20th birthday rolled around. I had planned to go out for a few drinks with my two friends. I really didn't want to go but my dad convinced me saying that I'd enjoy myself once I got out. And I did. I only had 2 cocktails and a shot of Sambuca.

2 weeks later, I finally visited the doctor. He checked my armpit and said "I'm really having trouble finding anything". I was mortified. I could see the lump and he was telling me that there was nothing there!? Then he said the words that came down on me like a tonne of bricks - "Is there a chance you could be pregnant?" I stumbled over my words "I don't know". He then told me that if my period hadn't come in the next few weeks then to go back and see him. 

I walked out to Chris in the waiting room and told him what had happened. We went to the chemist and bought a test and did it when we got in. Yep - two lines. I hugged Chris and the two of us just cried. We had talked about having a baby before but it was just a huge shock. 



We muddled on, went to our booking in appointment and for the 12 week scan without anyone knowing. We lived with Chris's brother so he had to tell him as soon as possible. I didn't want to have to hide it around the house so he did and I met up with my best friend, Jessica. I had to tell her first. Like any best friend would be, she was so happy and excited and even bought me a baby name book. She also was quite serious with me and said that I had to tell my parents. I knew I did.

Except I didn't. Now that Chris's brother knew, it was a little secret that never left the house. I had put on quite a bit of weight since moving in with Chris so no one really caught on. One day, we went shopping and I kept pushing Chris to tell his mum. Like any bloke, he told me to stop nagging and that he'd do it. I went to try some clothes on and when I came out of the changing room he was on the phone. To his mum. I couldn't believe it. I heard him say "No, I'm not winding you up." He had told her over the phone! He hung up and then I got the truth. He had TEXT her saying "Ma, Rebecca's pregnant. We'll call round on our way home from town" OMG. So that was that. It was my turn.

The following week, I was at my parents on my laptop. My dad looked at me and said "look at that stomach Rebecca, you'd think you were pregnant" More OMGs. I kept my mouth shut. I was looking for the right moment for the past 2 days but I couldn't do it. Before I left I called him in, handed him the scan picture and said "I'm sorry". He took his glasses off and leaned against the wall, "Just let me get my head around this" I cried and hugged him. But I knew it was okay when he said "do you know what it is?" When I told him it was a boy, his eyes lit up. There hadn't been a boy born in our family for over 20 years.

I started by telling a few of my friends and word got around. I had to make it Facebook official, right? I'm not one to make a big song and dance about it. I don't like being the centre of attention. 

On August 8th, 2012 I posted: 


"In agony. Paracetamol and sleep are my two best friends :("

A friends mum replied: 


"Hey Becca, you should probably get your doc or midwife to check you over

and I responded with 


"I phoned the maternity dept last night. It's a pain in the right side of my lower back. I explained everything cuz I thought it was a kidney problem but seeing as I'm still able to pass water, have had no bleeds, womb isn't tightening and baby's still kicking away that it's sounds like a muscular pain. She told me to take 2 paracetamol and relax & if it didn't ease up to phone back & they'd see me at the hospital so I did and the pain completely disappeared (so I guess it is muscular). The tablets are helpin but only for a couple of hours then I've to wait until I can take another dosage. Don't wanna be overdosing! Xxx"

Then the congratulations messages started flooding in. 6 weeks and 2 days later, my baby was here. It must have seemed like the shortest pregnancy ever. I'm getting a bit teary reliving all this! And well done if you've read this far!

I never got to share my bump photos so here goes:
 
9 weeks + 3 days

 
20 weeks

 
25 weeks + 4 days

31 weeks (1 week before birth)



How did you announce your pregnancy? I'd love to hear :)

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6 comments on "Finding Out and Announcing Pregnancy"
  1. What a beautiful and emotional post! Loved reading this.

    Gosh, how'd I announce my first pregnancy? Shamefully over the phone, to my DAD! He was shocked, but came round to the idea. As for the other times they never got easier, god you'd think I was a child! lol! Always nervous telling the parents! x

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  2. I'm surprised you read all that, Deborah! It was a very long-winded post. I think if I were to have another baby I'd still be just as scared to tell my dad! x

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  3. Awwww such a lovely post!!! It can be hard when you feel young still, my sister was the same with her first - she was so worried to tell my parents, even though she was 22!! She made me do it or her in the end while she hid in her bedroom lol.

    I LOVE your bump pics, so cute!!!

    And yay for being the boy producer! I was the same, first boy in 30 years! lol.

    I must admit, even though I was 30 I still felt like a naughty little girl telling my parents! I phoned my mum and said something like "I've got something to tell you...." and she said "OMG you're not?!" ...and that was that! lol

    Hayley
    Sparkles &Stretchmarks
    xxx

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  4. Aw bless her. I really think that I'll be just as scared if/when I do it again!
    My family were so happy that there was finally another boy - I'm sure yours were the same, Hayley!

    I think it will always be like regardless of age because it's something that you've never done before (telling them you're pregnant for the first time) so you don't know how they'll react! xxx

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  5. Brilliant post. I was captivated reading your story It sounds like you have a very supportive family around you too. #PoCoLo

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  6. Lovely read, it sounds like you had a bit of a rough time, we told our families in person but just put a scan picture up on facebook both times to tell most of our friends :)popping over from pocolo

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