Finding out & Telling our Families we're Pregnant after consecutive Losses

SUNDAY MARCH 6TH, Brandon came home from shift and I took out the test. We had been planning this for weeks. We knew that on this specific date we were going to take a Pregnancy test for proof of the baby that I knew in my heart was already real. We talked through the bathroom door as I opened the packaging and peed on the digital test. Making small talk while we waited for the bars to change from one to the word PREGNANT. I covered my eyes and held the test in front of the camera as the bars got closer to the final result. I asked Brandon to look and there it was. The words PREGNANT dark and visible across the screen! I jumped up and down and into his arms saying, “I knew it, I knew it!” I was so happy in that moment. No fear could take away my joy in the moments following the proof of a baby. The next couple of days and steps following were nerveracking for me, but we made it through!

Later that night I began feeling pretty nauseas. My friend was with me and my Hudband was working on the ambulance. He showed up at the house right before end of shift and asked me to come outside. I get to the truck, nauseas and all, only to find flowers and a cute baby shirt waiting for me. I wasn't expecting him to do this, but it was a needed surprise to help distract from the forming nausea in my throat. We are going to have a baby!

You can imagine how skeptical I was about this. After loosing two babies back to back and having to tell our families yet again that we were pregnant was very scary because we didn’t know what to expect. It’s hard to get excited about something that you are so scared of loosing, especially without proof that everything is okay. The day after Brandon and I got our positive Pregnancy test we told my in-laws. I was extremely hesitant because although we had known for weeks, we only had proof for less than 24 hours. My husband was adamant about telling his mom that day because it was her birthday. He wanted to give some good news after having a few months of somber times. I would not have agreed if it wasn’t for my blood work results that my doctor called me with a few hours before the birthday party.

Sunday, Brandon bought everything needed to wrap the present and we had come up with how to do it days prior. We took a fancy pen box (ironically given to him by his parents) and placed the positive digital pregnancy test inside with a note at the top saying,

“Happy birthday Oma, I can’t wait to meet you! October 2022”

We also taped her other present to the inside of the box, a Pandora charm. Brandon purchased a blue birthday bag with pink tissue paper. No one caught on to this little hint though. After arriving to the party I started to freak out a little because family that was not supposed to show up, showed up. I only wanted a select few to know and even them I was hesitant about because we had know proof of viability. I knew I was going to be asked questions that I didn’t have the answers to. I don’t know how far along I am officially or if there is a heartbeat. When presents were announced my friend got up and hid the wrapped gift. I was definitely relieved to not have to share this news with so many people 2 weeks before I planned on telling the rest of the family. After everyone had left Brandon pulled out our gift and handed it to his mom. She opened it and looked up. I could tell the full excitement was held back because we have nothing other than blood levels and positive tests. I don’t want this babies news to be less than the others because it isn’t. Going into a third pregnancy with no healthy pregnancies before it calls for caution. Her face lit up and she cried. Everyone was very happy, but also a hint of nervousness, which honestly may have been from me. Everyone got up to give me a hug and my Mother-in-law and Grammy asked if they could tell me a secret,

“We knew. We knew two weeks ago”

I was a tad confused, but they explained that the way I was holding myself made them question if I was Pregnant. Of course my Father-in-law and Pop pop knew as well because the woman can’t whisper. (according to the men) It was a good night and I do not regret telling them when we did. I am happy we could bring them some news that everyone is excited about. We have all been waiting for this baby for a long time now. We just have to wait for what happens next.

March 19th, Brandon and I had asked my parents and sister out for breakfast at cracker Barrel and there we told them the news. My first appointment with my OB had been just a few days prior and we finally had the answers we were so desperate for. We have viability and for the first time in the history of my pregnancies, I came home with ultrasound photos. That morning I took my letter board and wrote out,

Third Pregnancy FIRST HEARTBEAT

When we arrived at the restaurant my parents were already there so I tried and kind of failed to be sneaky about getting a Cracker Barrel bag to put the sign and ultrasound photos in. I held the bag close and told my questioning family that I would show them what I got once we got to our table. When the time came I handed the bag to my mom and she took out the letter board where it took them a second to look at the correct side. This gave my sister plenty of time to see the correct lettering and her face formed an O. Apparently everyone had a feeling that I was pregnant because my mom and dad said they both had a feeling. They looked at my tiny baby in the black and white photos and were excited that we have a heartbeat. The breakfast was filled with talk of baby things and plans for the future.

Straight from leaving lunch Brandon and I met with my Grandparents where I brought the same cracker Barrel bag and waited for the right moment to hand it over. It took my Grandmother a second to realize what I was trying to tell her. She barely took the sign out of the bag before she too had an O shaped face,

“Oh my goodness. She’s pregnant, she’s pregnant! ”

My Grandfather can barely hear and came in with a delayed, “what?”

I managed to surprise my grandparents! The only thing they question was us stopping by the house to see them after breakfast with my parents, but they didn’t really suspect anything.

Later that day I convinced two of my brothers to come over with the lie of needing their help moving my metal desk, which we do have to move out of the future nursery very soon. They both showed up and I had the letter board and the ultrasound photos sitting on top of the desk that they were tricked into fake moving. I lead them upstairs only to watch one of the boys pick up the letter board and photos and move them across the room. I was dumbfounded, no reaction just moving the only object on top of the desk off so they could move it.

I laughed, “Yawl are so dumb”

The other one looked at me in surprise smiling with a giggle, “what?”

I explained to them what they missed without giving it away and the same one laughing looked at me and says, “Cool your pregnant” in the most monotone voice ever. “look we are guys… your brothers just say hey bitches I got a bun in the oven!” I was so dead!

I do not regret asking my brothers over because I hadn’t seen them in awhile so it was good to be able to have a laugh that resulted in a very fun memory.

The following day I met up with my cousins and spent the early afternoon at the park. Unfortunately this is the only face to face Pregnancy revelation that I did not catch on camera, which I am very disappointed about because honestly I think my cousins reaction was the best out of all of them. We sat at a table and caught up on what has been going on lately and then as we were getting up to head over to the Tennis court I set my plan in motion. My cousins daughter is 5 years old and I taught her how to play the telephone game. I whispered in her hear, “Shayna’s pregnant” As she was heading to her mom to pass it along my cousin was just starring at me in pure shock because she had read my lips while I whispered in her daughters ear.

“Shayna’s pregnant” my little cousin whispered to her mom.

“Your Pregnant?” She repeated.

She was in pure bliss and asked me questions about viability and precautions and all the typical questions you ask when someone in your family is pregnant.

“I am going to be a great Nany!” she screamed. (I call her Nany even though she is my first cousin because when I was younger I could not pronounce her name.)

I accidentally told someone else I was pregnant while at the park spilling the secret to her, I didn’t notice that a friend of a friend was practically standing next to us as I was telling them the news. Thankfully the friend was someone I am extremely close too and already knew about the pregnancy.

The same day, but a few hours later I met my aunt at my parents house to share the news with her. I used the same tactic as before and had my 5 year old cousin whisper to my aunt that I am pregnant. Her reaction was not what we were expecting. She didn’t show any excitement, but with good reason. She didn’t wan to be over joyed about something that we have lost in the past. She showed concern and asked all the same questions as my cousin who is convinced I am having a girl because of the high heartrate. After catching up with her and answering all the questions about my new and as of this point healthy pregnancy I hit the road so I could get ready for the last stop on the pregnancy announcement journey.

The last but definitely not least Pregnancy Announcement goes to one of my close friends from high school. We met up for dinner with another one of our friends and there I asked the friend that already knew about my Pregnancy take a picture of the two of us, even though I was looking ratchet. Little did my friend in the dark know that she wasn’t taking a photo, but recording.

“Say Shayna’s pregnant!” She said as if to say cheese for a photo

Obviously she didn’t understand at first and just stared straight ahead, “Wait what?”

“Shayna’s pregnant.”

“For real?”

“ya”

And here we go with the O face again. We all shared in the excitement and I shared all the information I had as of yet and then we continued to catch up!

After everything that Brandon and I have been through over the past year being able to tell our family and closest friends that we are pregnant again, but this time we have a HEARTBEAT and photo proof has been a dream come true. Everything that we prayed and hoped for our future has taken shape all in God’s timing. I am so excited to continue this journey as we share our amazing news with the world!