We know that the journey from pregnancy to parenthood is a very personal and unique experience.
That’s why the labor and postpartum professionals we contract, provide unbiased support based on your specific wants and needs. We never push an agenda or make judgements about the path you take. And we never compromise your privacy and share your story; it is yours alone to tell.
However, we do know the value of hearing the stories of others as they make this journey. That is why we asked Brittany and Trey to share their pregnancy journey. Over the course of the next few months, we will feature their story on our blog.
Brittany and Trey are expecting their first baby (they will get to hold in their arms) in July, a rainbow baby.
A rainbow baby is a baby born after losing another baby due to miscarriage or stillbirth. It is often a very scary and tense time filled with so many emotions.
But let’s let them tell you about it.
Rainbows and Unicorns
A pregnancy story:Part 1
By Brittany Hunter and Trey Delaney
On October 22nd, 2020, I decided to take a pregnancy test.
I can’t say for sure why I decided to do this. I didn’t have any of the classic early pregnancy symptoms and hadn’t missed my period. In fact, I wasn’t due to get my period for 9 days. Looking back, I think the only reason I had, to be quite honest, was that I didn’t want to be obsessing about it.
That whole day, from the moment I woke up, I felt like something was strange. I wish I could say that I had this knowing feeling – almost instinctual feeling – that I was pregnant, but honestly, I just thought I was imagining things. Besides, I didn’t really believe that I could be pregnant so soon after a miscarriage.
My boyfriend (we hadn’t gotten engaged yet) and I were still reeling – physically and emotionally – after losing our first baby over the summer. But this feeling was persistent, it gnawed at me, and made me feel like I was being irrational.
Of course, I needed to know immediately, so I drove to the nearest drug store and bought an over-the-counter pregnancy test.
At this point I just needed to find out so I could start checking the reasons why I was feeling so strange off the list
OMG!
I took the test and saw two (faint) lines indicating a positive result.
I was pregnant and not losing it after all!
I immediately texted my friend with a picture of the test, I didn’t even include words in the text…
I didn’t want to influence what she saw.
She wrote back immediately and congratulated me! 😊
Ever the pragmatist, she also suggested I take another in several days, just to be sure; I agreed.
But…being impatient (and pregnant!) I took another one barley an hour later. There were still two lines, they were still just as faint as the last time and
I was still very much pregnant!
I texted my boyfriend (now fiancé!) who was at work, and asked him if he could call me when he had a chance. I told him it was no rush, and that everything was okay.
Trey usually responds reasonably fast to my texts
He’s genuinely attentive and supportive, but as with anyone at work I didn’t expect to hear from him immediately.
Of course, I should’ve taken into account the fact that I had just told him that everything was OK, which is usually an indication that something is slightly not ok.
He called me within 30 seconds!!
Looking back
I wish I had chosen to announce it to him in a more playful/fun way.
But, once again, patience was not playing a part in my actions this day, so I just came right out with it.
I was also trying to be very cautious and not get either of our hopes up just yet, since we had miscarried only 5 months earlier.
We agreed over the phone that it was an amazing thing, but to not get too excited until we took some additional steps and checked with my OB.
In retrospect, the over-the counter-test shouldn’t have even registered the pregnancy at this point in development. I am grateful for those faint lines and that gnawing feeling because in the following days we were able to set up the necessary appointments and confirm the wonderful news.
It’s funny – we all have moments where we think we are losing it a little; whether its stress at work, with family, relationships – there’s a million things that can make us feel a little less than totally put together.
There’s a quote that comes to mind that says:
“Life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns”.
But on this day, for me and my boyfriend, it was!
Our rainbow baby was on the way! 😊
“I am so happy for Brittany and Trey as they celebrate being pregnant with their Rainbow Baby.” ~Donna Delaney, Owner/CEO, Orlando Doulas~
Check back soon for Part 2 of their story.
If you want to be the author of your own story, and receive non-biased support, with no agenda, contact us at Orlando Doulas today.
Orlando Doulas creates and promotes professional relational support for growing families which includes the physical presence, emotional availability, and on-going educational support of the highest quality doulas available. By combining evidence-based information with compassionate and flexible support, Orlando Doulas is committed to elevating the birth and new baby experience. Recognizing and embracing the uniqueness of each family and their birth and new baby is the foundation on which Orlando Doulas was founded.
