The Life of a Teenage Mom

It was in August 2016 when I found out I was pregnant. I was only 16 years old at the time and that was honestly the scariest news of my life. I cried for days wondering how I was going to raise a baby and how my father would react. I didn't end up telling him, my mom did. I was shocked to hear that he wasn't angry. Just a little upset. Dylan had no idea until I called him at work and told him. He was nervous but seemed to be fine with the news. I didn't want to tell anybody because I was scared of what they would say about me having a baby at such a young age. I had my first prenatal and I was so nervous... I went in and we listened to my baby's heartbeat and I almost cried. It was a sign of relief and it made me excited.

As time kept going I experienced a lot of sickness. Morning, afternoon, and night. I was miserable! I had to take pills to help with my nausea. About 20 weeks into my pregnancy I ended up with a lot of sciatic nerve pains and could barely walk. I went from 94lbs to 131 pounds. My belly got absolutely hugeeee. I was due May 21st but I knew I wasn't going to go that long. May 8th around 8:00pm I started having TERRIBLE back pain and it was unbearable! Around 4:00am I couldn't take the pain anymore and had to go into outpatients. I was having contractions and my baby was ready to come! I was so scared and unprepared. I knew I needed something for the pain but I didn't want anything. We went over to labour and delivery and within 1 hour my baby girl was here. The only pain meds I had was the gas and it DID NOT help. I had really bad back labour and I went through something rare. Only 1 out of 10 women can deliver a baby naturally in the position I was in. I was that 1 out of 10. My baby came out backwards but is completely perfect!

She weighed 6lbs 2oz born May 9th 2017 at 11:57 am. I am so blessed to have a beautiful and smart baby. It was very hard the first few months trying to raise a baby being so young. I was always crying whenever she would cry. I would cry if she wouldn't sleep, burp, or anything. I was to the point where I physically and mentally didn't feel like I could do it anymore. I ended up having to go on medication for postpartum depression. I was taking my pills for a while and they helped me a lot. Days were going by and I started to realize that it's not impossible for me to raise a baby. I can do it if I put my mind to it. I pulled up my socks and continued to take care of my baby.

At some points I felt very lost when she wouldn't stop crying but I asked for help and I got it and now I know how to do it on my own. I never thought I'd be able to raise a baby. I didn't really know how to feed a baby or even change a diaper... I didn't know how to tell when she's hungry, gassy, or just tired. I told myself that this beautiful little girl is my daughter and I will do everything in my power to make sure she has everything she needs and to make sure she is protected. Now she's 5 months old and I feel like a pro. I can always tell when she's hungry, gassy, or tired. I can feed her with one arm, I don't cry when she cries or when she wont sleep. I can change her diapers and clothes with no problems. I am proud of my and my boyfriend for raising such a beautiful and smart little baby. Dylan has never held a baby before so this was a huge scare for him. He was so nervous he was going to hurt her just holding her. He couldn't change her what so ever. He couldn't feed her at all. He couldn't change her clothes or bathe her. He could barely even hold her. Now he helps me more than I could even imagine! He's an absolutely amazing father and I couldn't ask for a better family. My baby girl is getting so big and smart now. I am a proud teen mom. I had my baby at a young age which just means I'll be able to love her longer. ❤️❤️