Nervous and excited, I ran to pick up the phone. As I waited on hold for what seemed like eternity, my eyes were glued to my hands. My hands held something that was going to potentially change my life forever. Finally, a girl comes on the line asking for my information. Trembling, I fumbled for the “right words” to say as I explain that I just took a pregnancy test, and it showed faint lines. I remember the girl saying, “Well, was it a plus sign?” I responded by saying, “It is a faint plus sign, but it is so light. I am not really sure if I am pregnant because it looks nothing like the tv.” The receptionist responded in a laughing manner, “If that test shows a plus sign then more than likely you are indeed pregnant, let’s make you an appointment.”
The receptionist suggested making the appointment in a week, just to make sure. That week was going to drag on forever, I knew. What would Blake and I tell our families? We had been planning a wedding for months, so it shouldn’t be a big deal, right? Honestly, we were excited but scared in the same breathe. We had always planned on having children, maybe not then, but we were a little ahead of the game. I knew from that moment that the test showed the “faint plus sign” that instant would be a cherished moment.
Blake had been working the day I found out that I was pregnant. I was supposed to be, but I had woken up that morning with a horrible headache, nausea, and sore boobs. Those three symtoms right there should have given the answer I sought on the test. I dropped Blake off to work and headed to Walmart to purchase a test. I could not wait until I got home, so I headed right over to the bathroom inside Walmart. I know that the necessarily ideal place to test for pregnancy, but I could not wait the fifteen to twenty minute ride home. I remember taking a picture of that test result. Blake sat in a training room all day staring at the picture he said. But, we were excited. I think that moment you discover that you are pregnant as a couple, then a million thoughts go racing through your minds. Will you be a good parent? Are you ready? Is this what you want? Will be child be ok? What will they be when they grow up? Am I prepared for the days ahead? Should we tell our parents? What will they think?
For me, the latter were difficult questions for me. Growing up, my parents held high expectation based on their Christian faith that it was against God’s Will to have premateral sex. How were they going to respond to the news of becoming pregnant before our wedding? Blake and I waited several days before telling anyone about the positive test. We still hadn’t had our appointment, and we just didn’t want to share anything until we had spoken with our families. I remember the evening Blake and I decided to tell his parents. They already had guessed it before we even spit it out! They were happy—they had been ready to become grandparents for a long time now. They congratulated us and the planning began with them. The next day, I called my mom while on my lunch break, and I informed her that I had something I wanted to tell her. And, what do you think her response was? She said, “Steph, I already know—you’re pregnant.” How do parents know these things? She was right. She said she was wanting for me to call and tell her. Two things down. Blake and I told his parents, and I told my family. Whew. It wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be. February 24, 2011 noted to be a day of change. A day when I learned that a new life had already begun forming—a life that would go on to change many lives.
A week had passed. At this point, I had taken several tests. I guess the first positive was not good enough to convince me. Each test became darker and darker when that plus sign showed up. No period had arrived. I think that week was probably one of the longest weeks of my life because I was so excited. I was nervous, but I remember the giddy feeling as Blake and I would lay in bed and think about our growing baby—a child we created. We had been busy planning our wedding and figuring out all the details of where we would live. The big day came for the doctor’s appointment. My mom and Blake went to the doctor appointment with me. As we entered Robinwood Medical Center that day, I was on cloud 9 and filled with anxiousness.
We arrived early for the appointment so I could get checked in and update paper work information. I remember walking down the hall to the tiny triage station where the nurse gave me a cup to catch my urine to perform a pregnancy test. I entered the bathroom, already knowing I was pregnant, but nervous that what if I was wrong. Mommy brain had already kicked in—already worrying! The nurse checks the test, responding, “Definitely pregnant!” My face shined with a smile so big. Blood pressure was normal. Medication updated, check. Weight obtained. Medical history addressed. Now, escorted back into the exam room.
Impatiently waiting for the doctor to come into the exam room, I was unsure how the appointment would proceed. I had never been pregnant before, nervously, my mind raced with questions and thoughts.
The receptionist suggested making the appointment in a week, just to make sure. That week was going to drag on forever, I knew. What would Blake and I tell our families? We had been planning a wedding for months, so it shouldn’t be a big deal, right? Honestly, we were excited but scared in the same breathe. We had always planned on having children, maybe not then, but we were a little ahead of the game. I knew from that moment that the test showed the “faint plus sign” that instant would be a cherished moment.
Blake had been working the day I found out that I was pregnant. I was supposed to be, but I had woken up that morning with a horrible headache, nausea, and sore boobs. Those three symtoms right there should have given the answer I sought on the test. I dropped Blake off to work and headed to Walmart to purchase a test. I could not wait until I got home, so I headed right over to the bathroom inside Walmart. I know that the necessarily ideal place to test for pregnancy, but I could not wait the fifteen to twenty minute ride home. I remember taking a picture of that test result. Blake sat in a training room all day staring at the picture he said. But, we were excited. I think that moment you discover that you are pregnant as a couple, then a million thoughts go racing through your minds. Will you be a good parent? Are you ready? Is this what you want? Will be child be ok? What will they be when they grow up? Am I prepared for the days ahead? Should we tell our parents? What will they think?
For me, the latter were difficult questions for me. Growing up, my parents held high expectation based on their Christian faith that it was against God’s Will to have premateral sex. How were they going to respond to the news of becoming pregnant before our wedding? Blake and I waited several days before telling anyone about the positive test. We still hadn’t had our appointment, and we just didn’t want to share anything until we had spoken with our families. I remember the evening Blake and I decided to tell his parents. They already had guessed it before we even spit it out! They were happy—they had been ready to become grandparents for a long time now. They congratulated us and the planning began with them. The next day, I called my mom while on my lunch break, and I informed her that I had something I wanted to tell her. And, what do you think her response was? She said, “Steph, I already know—you’re pregnant.” How do parents know these things? She was right. She said she was wanting for me to call and tell her. Two things down. Blake and I told his parents, and I told my family. Whew. It wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be. February 24, 2011 noted to be a day of change. A day when I learned that a new life had already begun forming—a life that would go on to change many lives.
A week had passed. At this point, I had taken several tests. I guess the first positive was not good enough to convince me. Each test became darker and darker when that plus sign showed up. No period had arrived. I think that week was probably one of the longest weeks of my life because I was so excited. I was nervous, but I remember the giddy feeling as Blake and I would lay in bed and think about our growing baby—a child we created. We had been busy planning our wedding and figuring out all the details of where we would live. The big day came for the doctor’s appointment. My mom and Blake went to the doctor appointment with me. As we entered Robinwood Medical Center that day, I was on cloud 9 and filled with anxiousness.
We arrived early for the appointment so I could get checked in and update paper work information. I remember walking down the hall to the tiny triage station where the nurse gave me a cup to catch my urine to perform a pregnancy test. I entered the bathroom, already knowing I was pregnant, but nervous that what if I was wrong. Mommy brain had already kicked in—already worrying! The nurse checks the test, responding, “Definitely pregnant!” My face shined with a smile so big. Blood pressure was normal. Medication updated, check. Weight obtained. Medical history addressed. Now, escorted back into the exam room.
Impatiently waiting for the doctor to come into the exam room, I was unsure how the appointment would proceed. I had never been pregnant before, nervously, my mind raced with questions and thoughts.