I remember when Brooke first found out she was pregnant! I think she messaged me close to reading the pregnancy test that was positive - she was so excited! Unfortunately a short time later she announced that she was no longer that baby, that there was a miscarriage. My heart broke for her; I knew how happy she was and remembered all the things we talked about when she first found out. I am glad to announce that she is pregnant with another babe, and is doing GREAT! Today Brooke shares how she felt after miscarrying, and how her life is changed again by this pregnancy!
1. Tell us a little about yourself!
25 years old, living in Williamsburg, working as much as possible to save up for baby expenses and when not at work im at home relaxing with my bf of 6 years and our pug. I recently taught myself how to crochet through YouTube videos so now I'm making a baby blanket collection!
2. Can you describe some of the feelings you felt after knowing you miscarried? How did you and your significant other process your loss? How did it impact your relationship?
It's hard to explain, I felt sad and angry then went through the what ifs then sad and why did this have to happen to us but I finally realized there was nothing I could of done differently and decided life wasn't going to get me down and we went back to trying immediately after healing from the surgery and luckily conceived within a month and now are expecting a healthy baby boy. We just talked to each other and he was my support there for me through the healing process and we decided we want a child more than anything so we would try until we got one and we were blessed instantly!
3. What was your initial reaction to discovering you were pregnant again? How did your family react?
Well, I was shocked to be honest... It was so fast and we were trying, but not as much as I wanted to because I had just healed from the d&c. That caused a few problems and few hospital trips, so for the first three weeks after surgery we waited for me to heal. So when I thought I was like 40 days late it turned out I was only 3 weeks pregnant because my cycle was crazy from everything my body went through. I had gotten a hcg blood draw that registered as a 2 (anything under 5 counted as not pregnant). Then exactly a week later I took two positive hpts the first day in the afternoon and I was in disbelief and shock with the first one (dollar tree test), so I went to buy a two pack of epts at cvs and it was also positive! I took the second test the next morning and then confirmed by hcg blood draw and discovered I had an ovarian cyst at the time too causing cramping that afternoon. Luckily it hasn't been an issue at all.
We were so happy when we knew for sure, but scared too because I had lots of tests done. I had researched progesterone levels being the possible cause of previous loss, so I demanded that we get that checked and found out it was low so I had to take progesterone the entire first trimester and was anxious over every little twinge until I was in the safe zone. The day I went to the hospital for the confirmed hcg level of 88, they found the cyst on my left ovary that scared me to death. The doctors were saying they didn't see anything intrauterine and that it was a possible ectopic pregnancy or that it could be just a cyst. I took a cd of the ultrasound pics to my doc and they checked hcg levls for the next two weeks, and once my hcg reached over 1200 they finally gave me an ultrasound at 6 weeks 1 day, and another at 7 weeks 1 day to see development. Another was taken at 10 weeks 1 day for viability confirmation, and then said I was safe to stop progesterone by 12 weeks. For the first few weeks of my second trimester I was uneasy being off progesterone since that was sustaining my pregnancy the entire first trimester and they didn't draw a progesterone level check coming off it. Luckily everything is great! I got an elective ultrasound at 16 weeks in Hampton at fun fetal and we found out we were having a boy!
We just had another ultrasound at the doctor's office yesterday at 20 weeks 1 day and I measured two days ahead at 20 weeks 3 days! I have been feeling kicks for weeks, fluttering started around 13-14 weeks, light kicks by 15-16 weeks, and definite kicks and rolls by 17-18. Now at 20 I can sit my tablet or phone against my belly and he kicks it! We waited to tell our family we were pregnant again until around 7 weeks and didn't tell friends till around 7-8 weeks. Facebook had no clue till I was 13 weeks, and I almost didn't announce anything till the 16 weeks ultrasound but we were told he was healthy at 6,7,&10 so we were okay posting. In fact, we saw flutters at the 6 week 1 day ultrasound where he looked nothing like a baby yet, and by 7 he looked like a little gummy bear with a definite flutter of the heart. By 10 weeks he had a baby shape! By 16 he had facial features and not much fat; by 20 he looked like daddy! Crazy how fast time is flying by!
As for how people reacted, I heard a few say, "man that was fast." Or , "you didn't waste any time" or "I wouldn't count your chickens before they hatch." Needless to say none of those words mattered to us because we cut off people who proved to not be there for us and we focused on us and this baby.
4. As you eagerly await the arrival of your little one, what is one piece of advice or lesson you plan on instilling in them?
I plan on instilling in our little boy respect and manners. It drives me nuts to see parents having children talking back to them! He will also learn to eat his veggies and fruits like mommy since daddy isn't a veggie eater or fruit eater... We want him to be a well behaved kid that people love being around.
5. Do you anticipate having more children? Why or why not?
Yes! Definitely! I have always wanted to have a boy and a girl and we've got our boy so now we need a girl! But in all seriousness, if we had two boys I am not sure I would want to try for a third, I think two is plenty. Kids are not cheap! Plus, if they take after me with teeth or eyes they will need braces and contacts or glasses...hoping they take after daddy with that aspect of health. Should be interesting with meal times though, I've never been a big meat eater, I love veggies and fruits.... Daddy doesn't.. He is a meat eater who loves pizza and snack cakes. I will never tell them they can't eat meat but I'm also not going to force them to eat anything they don't like. I always refused Brussel sprouts and spinach anyways!. We both agreed on two kids though and we have a boy and girl name picked out so if we ended up with two boys we would have to find a second name. Oh by the way, everyone is in for a tongue twister with us: Brooke, Brian, Brayden, and our dog Bailey! Say that four times fast and try not being tongue tied!
Thank you Brooke for taking time to answer our questions today! Congratulations again on your baby boy - best wishes for a smooth delivery!
25 years old, living in Williamsburg, working as much as possible to save up for baby expenses and when not at work im at home relaxing with my bf of 6 years and our pug. I recently taught myself how to crochet through YouTube videos so now I'm making a baby blanket collection!
2. Can you describe some of the feelings you felt after knowing you miscarried? How did you and your significant other process your loss? How did it impact your relationship?
It's hard to explain, I felt sad and angry then went through the what ifs then sad and why did this have to happen to us but I finally realized there was nothing I could of done differently and decided life wasn't going to get me down and we went back to trying immediately after healing from the surgery and luckily conceived within a month and now are expecting a healthy baby boy. We just talked to each other and he was my support there for me through the healing process and we decided we want a child more than anything so we would try until we got one and we were blessed instantly!
3. What was your initial reaction to discovering you were pregnant again? How did your family react?
Well, I was shocked to be honest... It was so fast and we were trying, but not as much as I wanted to because I had just healed from the d&c. That caused a few problems and few hospital trips, so for the first three weeks after surgery we waited for me to heal. So when I thought I was like 40 days late it turned out I was only 3 weeks pregnant because my cycle was crazy from everything my body went through. I had gotten a hcg blood draw that registered as a 2 (anything under 5 counted as not pregnant). Then exactly a week later I took two positive hpts the first day in the afternoon and I was in disbelief and shock with the first one (dollar tree test), so I went to buy a two pack of epts at cvs and it was also positive! I took the second test the next morning and then confirmed by hcg blood draw and discovered I had an ovarian cyst at the time too causing cramping that afternoon. Luckily it hasn't been an issue at all.
We were so happy when we knew for sure, but scared too because I had lots of tests done. I had researched progesterone levels being the possible cause of previous loss, so I demanded that we get that checked and found out it was low so I had to take progesterone the entire first trimester and was anxious over every little twinge until I was in the safe zone. The day I went to the hospital for the confirmed hcg level of 88, they found the cyst on my left ovary that scared me to death. The doctors were saying they didn't see anything intrauterine and that it was a possible ectopic pregnancy or that it could be just a cyst. I took a cd of the ultrasound pics to my doc and they checked hcg levls for the next two weeks, and once my hcg reached over 1200 they finally gave me an ultrasound at 6 weeks 1 day, and another at 7 weeks 1 day to see development. Another was taken at 10 weeks 1 day for viability confirmation, and then said I was safe to stop progesterone by 12 weeks. For the first few weeks of my second trimester I was uneasy being off progesterone since that was sustaining my pregnancy the entire first trimester and they didn't draw a progesterone level check coming off it. Luckily everything is great! I got an elective ultrasound at 16 weeks in Hampton at fun fetal and we found out we were having a boy!
We just had another ultrasound at the doctor's office yesterday at 20 weeks 1 day and I measured two days ahead at 20 weeks 3 days! I have been feeling kicks for weeks, fluttering started around 13-14 weeks, light kicks by 15-16 weeks, and definite kicks and rolls by 17-18. Now at 20 I can sit my tablet or phone against my belly and he kicks it! We waited to tell our family we were pregnant again until around 7 weeks and didn't tell friends till around 7-8 weeks. Facebook had no clue till I was 13 weeks, and I almost didn't announce anything till the 16 weeks ultrasound but we were told he was healthy at 6,7,&10 so we were okay posting. In fact, we saw flutters at the 6 week 1 day ultrasound where he looked nothing like a baby yet, and by 7 he looked like a little gummy bear with a definite flutter of the heart. By 10 weeks he had a baby shape! By 16 he had facial features and not much fat; by 20 he looked like daddy! Crazy how fast time is flying by!
As for how people reacted, I heard a few say, "man that was fast." Or , "you didn't waste any time" or "I wouldn't count your chickens before they hatch." Needless to say none of those words mattered to us because we cut off people who proved to not be there for us and we focused on us and this baby.
4. As you eagerly await the arrival of your little one, what is one piece of advice or lesson you plan on instilling in them?
I plan on instilling in our little boy respect and manners. It drives me nuts to see parents having children talking back to them! He will also learn to eat his veggies and fruits like mommy since daddy isn't a veggie eater or fruit eater... We want him to be a well behaved kid that people love being around.
5. Do you anticipate having more children? Why or why not?
Yes! Definitely! I have always wanted to have a boy and a girl and we've got our boy so now we need a girl! But in all seriousness, if we had two boys I am not sure I would want to try for a third, I think two is plenty. Kids are not cheap! Plus, if they take after me with teeth or eyes they will need braces and contacts or glasses...hoping they take after daddy with that aspect of health. Should be interesting with meal times though, I've never been a big meat eater, I love veggies and fruits.... Daddy doesn't.. He is a meat eater who loves pizza and snack cakes. I will never tell them they can't eat meat but I'm also not going to force them to eat anything they don't like. I always refused Brussel sprouts and spinach anyways!. We both agreed on two kids though and we have a boy and girl name picked out so if we ended up with two boys we would have to find a second name. Oh by the way, everyone is in for a tongue twister with us: Brooke, Brian, Brayden, and our dog Bailey! Say that four times fast and try not being tongue tied!
Thank you Brooke for taking time to answer our questions today! Congratulations again on your baby boy - best wishes for a smooth delivery!