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Teen Pregnancy

My Experience as a Pregnant Teenager

By Rebecca HailesPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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40 weeks pregnant 

In April of 2017 I found out I was 4 weeks pregnant. At 17 years old I was terrified. After weeks of my friends telling my to do a pregnancy test because my period was late I finally I gave in and bought one. When I found out I was shocked and scared; I didn’t think I was ready to be a mum (especially because I was sitting in the school toilets crying). The rest of the day I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I thought becoming a parent would be difficult but the thing I didn’t realise would be so hard was other people.

After my bump grew to the point I couldn’t hide it I began to dread going out. Everyone looked at me with judgement; although at this point I was 18, I still looked young, so onlookers probably assumed I was a pregnant 15-year-old roaming the streets. The judgement was horrible because I was determined to not become ‘just another single teen mum’. I was trying my hardest while pregnant to prepare for parenthood. By the time I was 30 weeks pregnant I was entirely prepared for my baby; I’d saved up money and bought everything he would need like a crib, clothes, toys (and even nappies). I felt good knowing that although my son might not always have the latest and most expensive things, he’s never go without, and I’d make up for my lack of money by loving him unconditionally. This feeling, however, only lasted up until I stepped out the door.

My son was due January 3, 2018, so while Christmas shopping I was heavily pregnant, and the stares were unbearable. Every time I caught someone’s disgusted look, I felt like a failure, I felt like my son would hate me and that I wasn’t ready; truthfully, I don’t think anyone is ready for parenthood, but at night I would cry to myself worrying about how I would cope. I found myself often wondering if I should have given my son up for adoption or aborted him. I became a prisoner to the judgement constantly trying to please others while sacrificing my own happiness.

Even though my pregnancy was terrible with severe morning sickness, iron deficiency, scare after scare of Down’s syndrome and cystic fibrosis, the second my son was in my arms and I knew he was entirely healthy it became all worth it. Sometimes I find myself awake at night starting into his Moses basket at his gorgeous face and tiny hands, watching the rise and fall of his chest wondering how on earth I could have made something so perfect. He gave purpose to my life; rather than going through life day by day, I’m now living my life every day.

Moral of the story: don’t worry about other people, just worry about yourself. If you give into judgement you might just miss out on the best to happen in your life (even if that thing is occasionally sick on you!).

My son at 1 week old

pregnancy
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About the Creator

Rebecca Hailes

Single mum just trying to get through life

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