How We Found Out We Were Going to be Parents

One time. That’s all it took was one time. That’s why they always say to use protection, right? It’s what they talk about in health class and in movies. One time is all it takes.

Doug and I have talked about kids many, many times throughout the nine years we’ve been together. We talked about wanting to be married for a couple years first and enjoying being husband and wife before we became mom and dad.

It wasn’t really until about two years ago, when we got married, that the thought of having a baby didn’t terrify me to the point of running. It started by talking about when we’d talk about trying (hey, baby steps). This past year, we talked about the prospect of trying this fall. We had talked about paying off our student loans and being in better shape when the time came. It was becoming less scary in the sense of pushing a baby out of my vagina and caring for another human and more scary in the sense of oh crap we’re almost there.

Due to health reasons beyond my control, I haven’t been on birth control in five years (a blood clot will do that to you). I tried an IUD and it wasn’t for me. But with the help of the Flo App I’ve been tracking my period, sexual activity, and ovulation for the last three years. Knowing when I was ovulating helped me to know when not to have sex or use protection, just to be safe.

One night in early October, Doug and I had gone out, had a few drinks, and wanted to do the deed. I told him I was ovulating and we talked. Were we ready to have a kid? Could we afford it? Should we wait? While the idea was still scary, we agreed that if it happened it happened. The odds were pretty low from stories we’ve heard of how long it’s taken other couples to conceive, and if one time was all it took, the universe would be telling us it was time and we were ready.

Some things you read will tell you that you just “know” when it happens. I had this feeling and the thought of being pregnant scared me. There’s no way it could happen after one time, and the thought of not being able to control that scared me.

I went on with life the next couple of weeks thinking I was fine. It was time for my period to come around and I had all of the symptoms. Bloating, hunger, and sore boobs. Cool, my period was coming. Until it didn’t.

Since I’m not on any form of birth control, my cycle can range anywhere from 28-32, so I wasn’t concerned. But on day 32, I just had a feeling it wasn’t coming. I told Doug that I was late and I was anxious, so I went to the store to get a pregnancy test.

I’ve taken pregnancy tests before (when I definitely didn’t have any reason to worry), so I knew how they worked. Pee on the stick, wait three minutes, and let your fate be decided. So I when I got home and went to the bathroom, I thought I had at least a few minutes. Wrong.

About 15 seconds after I peed on the stick, the positive line showed up. There was no denying it now. I was pregnant.

I opened the door, where Doug was waiting outside, and I said, “Well, that was quick. We’re having a baby.” Both of us were in shock.

One time. That’s all it took was one time. We’re not religious people, but someone out there has bigger plans for us. We hugged and teared up as we talked about how our lives were going to change.

The nerves and anxiety had me shaking. The only way I know how to deal with that is to run, and so we did. We went on a nice slow jog as we contemplated how our world was about to turn upside down.

Upon our return, I almost immediately started googling what I needed to know. I had a feeling that Google was going to be my best friend over the next 9 months. And since It was a Saturday, I couldn’t call the doctor just yet.

The next day, it felt like a dream. But it wasn’t, I was still pregnant. The shock started to wear off and the excited started to creep in. While we knew how much our lives were going to change, we were ready. Everyone always says there’s never a good time to become a parent, so you might as well try. So we did and here we are.

We’re both excited and scared to meet our little one the beginning of July. It’s going to be a long journey, but I somehow feel like it’ll go by in the blink of an eye.

If we waited until the time was right, the time may have never come. If I didn’t believe in fate before, I do now. Baby Doolen is coming whether we’re ready or not, and we can’t wait for this next adventure together.

How did you find out you were expecting? Let me know in the comments below!