I met a girl named Raven. She's 17 and just found out she's pregnant. I
asked her if she wouldn't mind keeping us updated on her story. This is her life and what she experiences through out her pregnancy. So keep checking back to see how things are for her._
Raven's Story!
~When I Found Out~
-July 12th, 2011-
My name is Raven. I'm seventeen, and about to start my senior year of high school. I've been with my boyfriend, Jonah, since I was fifteen and he was seventeen. I may not look it, but I'm a super girly girl. I was captain of the JV cheer squad my sophomore year, and was about to captain the varsity squad this fall. Jonah's going to be a sophomore in college this fall. He's really into music, and I don't think he's outgrown his emo phase yet :) It's OK, though, because I love him just the way he is.
Jonah and I have been sleeping together since my sixteenth birthday. He's never pressured me-we decided to do it when we were both ready. I was on the Pill, but I'm pretty forgetful and would sometimes forget my dose and double up. We always used condoms.
Back in April, I went to visit Jonah at school after not seeing him for a few months. It was amazing. We instantly fell into bed, but in our frenzy, the condom broke and we didn't realize it had until it was over. We didn't think anything of it because I was on the Pill.
I noticed absolutely nothing until last week. My boobs were ENORMOUS, super tender, and sore. I also felt queasy at the randomest times-when Jonah would be making dinner, when I'd walk past Cinnabon in the mall, thinking about pancakes. My period's also been really irregular since I started getting it, but the fact that I hadn't had a period since the week before I saw Jonah at school made me nervous. I first joined Seventeen, and then I went out and bought at least six pregnancy tests. Each test came out positive. I cried, and then called Jonah. He cried with me, but told me that he's always known we're meant to be together, we're just starting our lives together a little earlier than we anticipated. :)
We haven't told our parents yet, but I know we're keeping our baby. I have a doctor's appointment Thursday. We'll see how everything is then. I'm terrified.
~Raven!
My name is Raven. I'm seventeen, and about to start my senior year of high school. I've been with my boyfriend, Jonah, since I was fifteen and he was seventeen. I may not look it, but I'm a super girly girl. I was captain of the JV cheer squad my sophomore year, and was about to captain the varsity squad this fall. Jonah's going to be a sophomore in college this fall. He's really into music, and I don't think he's outgrown his emo phase yet :) It's OK, though, because I love him just the way he is.
Jonah and I have been sleeping together since my sixteenth birthday. He's never pressured me-we decided to do it when we were both ready. I was on the Pill, but I'm pretty forgetful and would sometimes forget my dose and double up. We always used condoms.
Back in April, I went to visit Jonah at school after not seeing him for a few months. It was amazing. We instantly fell into bed, but in our frenzy, the condom broke and we didn't realize it had until it was over. We didn't think anything of it because I was on the Pill.
I noticed absolutely nothing until last week. My boobs were ENORMOUS, super tender, and sore. I also felt queasy at the randomest times-when Jonah would be making dinner, when I'd walk past Cinnabon in the mall, thinking about pancakes. My period's also been really irregular since I started getting it, but the fact that I hadn't had a period since the week before I saw Jonah at school made me nervous. I first joined Seventeen, and then I went out and bought at least six pregnancy tests. Each test came out positive. I cried, and then called Jonah. He cried with me, but told me that he's always known we're meant to be together, we're just starting our lives together a little earlier than we anticipated. :)
We haven't told our parents yet, but I know we're keeping our baby. I have a doctor's appointment Thursday. We'll see how everything is then. I'm terrified.
~Raven!
~Telling The Parent/First Doctors App.~
-July 15th, 2011-
We told our parents on Wednesday. We told both sets of parents together. They were all sitting on my parents' sofa, and Jonah and I walked in, stood in front of them. We just came out and told them that I was pregnant, and that we had a doctor's appointment the next day. It was so hard-my mom cried. His mom cried. I cried. The dads started yelling at Jonah.
Eventually, we were all able to sit down and talk about it calmly. His dad wants us to consider adoption. His mom wants us to get married. My parents think that we need to have the baby, and then decide. My mom though, knows that there is no way I'm giving up my child, and she promised me that she'd help us out in whatever ways she could. She even came with us to the ultrasound appointment the next day.
It's official-I'm 12 weeks pregnant. I'm due January 13th. We don't know the sex yet, the baby wasn't cooperating. We do know, however, that the baby is a thumb sucker, and that there is only one baby in there.
It feels so real now.
~Raven!
We told our parents on Wednesday. We told both sets of parents together. They were all sitting on my parents' sofa, and Jonah and I walked in, stood in front of them. We just came out and told them that I was pregnant, and that we had a doctor's appointment the next day. It was so hard-my mom cried. His mom cried. I cried. The dads started yelling at Jonah.
Eventually, we were all able to sit down and talk about it calmly. His dad wants us to consider adoption. His mom wants us to get married. My parents think that we need to have the baby, and then decide. My mom though, knows that there is no way I'm giving up my child, and she promised me that she'd help us out in whatever ways she could. She even came with us to the ultrasound appointment the next day.
It's official-I'm 12 weeks pregnant. I'm due January 13th. We don't know the sex yet, the baby wasn't cooperating. We do know, however, that the baby is a thumb sucker, and that there is only one baby in there.
It feels so real now.
~Raven!
~Telling My Sister~
-July 25th,2011-
For the most part, I am an only child. I live with my parents. My dad is my mom's first husband, but my mom was 15 when she got pregnant by her first boyfriend. That baby is my half sister, Anna Marie. My mom was a teen parent, gaining support from her family when her boyfriend refused to have anything to do with her. (I know, this sounds really irrelevant, but it's going to make sense). She finished high school, went to college, met my dad, and they got married. When she was 25, I was born. Anna Marie has always been like another parent-she's ten years older than me. My mom worked a lot, my dad travels for work, so it was always Anna Marie and I against the world, kind of. When I had nightmares or woke up because of thunderstorms, I'd crawl into bed with her. She took me to get my ears pierced, I visited her at college when I was only 8. She got married when I was 12, to a great guy named Robert. I was her maid of honor, even though I couldn't go to the bachelorette party or plan the bridal shower. Anna Marie and Robert want kids-they are both teachers, he teaches fourth grade and she teaches first grade. However, they've had problems getting pregnant. Anna Marie can't have kids-her Fallopian tubes only produce one egg every few months, and they're not viable. And Robert has a really low sperm count-if they get pregnant, it's a miracle.
Anna Marie is my biggest confidante. We tell each other everything. I told her that I was pregnant last Friday. She has not spoken to me since, except to tell me that she is embarrassed to know me, and embarrassed for me. She suggested that she does not want to see me until after the baby is born, and she does not want Jonah or I to contact her. It's breaking my heart. I already love my baby so incredibly much, but I feel like I'm losing everything. And I just don't understand it. On a lighter note, Jonah's now working as a pizza delivery boy, and I just got a job at Claire's Boutique so we can start saving up for our own place, our own lives, and our baby :)
~Raven!
For the most part, I am an only child. I live with my parents. My dad is my mom's first husband, but my mom was 15 when she got pregnant by her first boyfriend. That baby is my half sister, Anna Marie. My mom was a teen parent, gaining support from her family when her boyfriend refused to have anything to do with her. (I know, this sounds really irrelevant, but it's going to make sense). She finished high school, went to college, met my dad, and they got married. When she was 25, I was born. Anna Marie has always been like another parent-she's ten years older than me. My mom worked a lot, my dad travels for work, so it was always Anna Marie and I against the world, kind of. When I had nightmares or woke up because of thunderstorms, I'd crawl into bed with her. She took me to get my ears pierced, I visited her at college when I was only 8. She got married when I was 12, to a great guy named Robert. I was her maid of honor, even though I couldn't go to the bachelorette party or plan the bridal shower. Anna Marie and Robert want kids-they are both teachers, he teaches fourth grade and she teaches first grade. However, they've had problems getting pregnant. Anna Marie can't have kids-her Fallopian tubes only produce one egg every few months, and they're not viable. And Robert has a really low sperm count-if they get pregnant, it's a miracle.
Anna Marie is my biggest confidante. We tell each other everything. I told her that I was pregnant last Friday. She has not spoken to me since, except to tell me that she is embarrassed to know me, and embarrassed for me. She suggested that she does not want to see me until after the baby is born, and she does not want Jonah or I to contact her. It's breaking my heart. I already love my baby so incredibly much, but I feel like I'm losing everything. And I just don't understand it. On a lighter note, Jonah's now working as a pizza delivery boy, and I just got a job at Claire's Boutique so we can start saving up for our own place, our own lives, and our baby :)
~Raven!
~Scary Moment Turned To a Happy One :) ~
Oh my God. On Friday night, Jonah and I went out for dinner and a movie. During dinner, I had to pee REALLY bad. So I went to the bathroom, and there was blood. Not a ton, but definitely more than spotting. I started to panic, the woman in the stall next to me offered to get whoever I was with. I told her my boyfriend's name was Jonah, and he would be sitting at the table by the window on the right. The next thing I know, he comes bursting into the bathroom screaming for me. Needless to say, we did not go see Harry Potter and went to the emergency room instead. The drive was twenty minutes, and not one of us said a word. We didn't even have the radio on. I can't even begin to describe the fear and panic going through my mind. I felt so sick, like I had already let my child down.
Once we were in there, they put me up on the bed and started a sonogram. When we heard the heartbeat, I was so incredibly relieved, I started to cry. They told me it was just spotting, and that since we had heard the heartbeat, baby would be just fine. But here comes the best part-baby was in a good position for us to see the sex! And it's a girl! :) we're still super unsure of her name, but it's a girl :) :) :)
I'm fighting super hard for Alyra Grey, but Jonah loves the name Aurora Skye. We'll see who wins this one.
~Raven!
~We've Named Her!~
-Septemeber 17th,2011-
It's been a really long time, and I'm so incredibly sorry. It's been really busy, obviously :) I'm about 23 weeks pregnant, and its been exceptionally crazy.
I stopped being able to wear regular clothes around 18 weeks. It was incredibly hard for me having to make the switch from regular clothes to maternity clothes, especially with school coming up at the time. I got to Catholic school-we have a uniform and I had to get bigger sizes in our kilt and shirt. I'm so used to being cheerleader-tiny and perfect that I was devastated. However, although I was miserable about my body, I finally felt baby girl kick :) That was the weirdest sensation ever, I literally had no idea what was going on until Shannon confirmed it for me (Thanks Shannon :D)
Jonah is at school now, and that's really hard for me, especially since I am definitely not having the best time at school myself. I told my friends about the baby about a month ago, and they were all really supportive. But now that we're back at school, they don't really invite me places. We hang out at school, and occasionally I hang out with my best friend Erica, but it feels like no one wants to hang out with the pregnant girl. It's really hard. School just doesn't feel like a welcome environment anymore. I had to meet with the counselor and the school's priest, which was just awkward and embarrassing. I don't fit behind the desks in my classes, so I'm stuck at a table in the back.
My sister, ever since my pregnancy has become more obvious, has been distant, but right now, I really can't be bothered. I feel like things will work out between us in time, and right now, I'm trying to focus on making a stable home and family for my unborn daughter.
On a better, more positive note-we decided on a name :). Emma Espere-Espere means "hope" in French. And she responds to the sound of my voice. I talk to her, and she kicks in response. I am completely enamored with her, and I literally cannot wait to meet her. Roughly 17 weeks to go!
-Raven!
It's been a really long time, and I'm so incredibly sorry. It's been really busy, obviously :) I'm about 23 weeks pregnant, and its been exceptionally crazy.
I stopped being able to wear regular clothes around 18 weeks. It was incredibly hard for me having to make the switch from regular clothes to maternity clothes, especially with school coming up at the time. I got to Catholic school-we have a uniform and I had to get bigger sizes in our kilt and shirt. I'm so used to being cheerleader-tiny and perfect that I was devastated. However, although I was miserable about my body, I finally felt baby girl kick :) That was the weirdest sensation ever, I literally had no idea what was going on until Shannon confirmed it for me (Thanks Shannon :D)
Jonah is at school now, and that's really hard for me, especially since I am definitely not having the best time at school myself. I told my friends about the baby about a month ago, and they were all really supportive. But now that we're back at school, they don't really invite me places. We hang out at school, and occasionally I hang out with my best friend Erica, but it feels like no one wants to hang out with the pregnant girl. It's really hard. School just doesn't feel like a welcome environment anymore. I had to meet with the counselor and the school's priest, which was just awkward and embarrassing. I don't fit behind the desks in my classes, so I'm stuck at a table in the back.
My sister, ever since my pregnancy has become more obvious, has been distant, but right now, I really can't be bothered. I feel like things will work out between us in time, and right now, I'm trying to focus on making a stable home and family for my unborn daughter.
On a better, more positive note-we decided on a name :). Emma Espere-Espere means "hope" in French. And she responds to the sound of my voice. I talk to her, and she kicks in response. I am completely enamored with her, and I literally cannot wait to meet her. Roughly 17 weeks to go!
-Raven!
~She's Here!~
-January 16th,2012-
Hey Everyone! It's Shannon. I just wanted to update her story. Raven has been very busy. Her baby girl Emma Espere was born January 9th, at 12:07am. Weighing 6pounds 14ounces and 18 inches long. Raven made it through her natural birth just like she wanted. So congrats to her!!!
~Shannon
Hey Everyone! It's Shannon. I just wanted to update her story. Raven has been very busy. Her baby girl Emma Espere was born January 9th, at 12:07am. Weighing 6pounds 14ounces and 18 inches long. Raven made it through her natural birth just like she wanted. So congrats to her!!!
~Shannon
~Big News~
-November 22nd, 2012-
Hi everyone! I know it's been practically a year since I've personally written in, but it has been completely crazy. Jonah and I are now engaged, and planning our official church wedding as soon as I lose the baby weight from baby number two-that's right, I found out I was pregnant when Emma was a few months old. I was told that breastfeeding prevents pregnancy, and I hadn't been cleared by my OBGYN to go back on the pill. Gradually, I stopped producing breast milk, and when I went to the doctor, they had me take a pregnancy test-which came back positive. This time, I was terrified and completely unsure of what to do-I love being a mom, but at the time I had a four month old who I was just starting to learn important parenting skills with. I didn't even know how to tell my fiancé that I was pregnant again-we had just moved into a small apartment and while our parents do help us out a lot, we still are trying to become financially independent from them and support our own little family. Jonah had also started working full time, at a job which he has since left for a different one that pays more-he works in a chiropractor's office, answering phones and filing now. But anyways, add that to the fact that I can only work part time because of Emma and I'm still taking online classes-money is definitely tight.
Basically, I tried to be cute in telling him. I cooked dinner consisting of all of the main foods I craved when I was pregnant with Emma-macaroni and cheese, watermelon (which I normally hate), rocky road ice cream, and a bunch of other stuff. He came home that night, saw the table, and just looked at me before asking "Are you serious?" I nodded before crying, and he pulled me into his arms and told me that we were going to have this baby, no
matter what, it was a physical manifestation of the way we felt about each other and it would be wrong to give that up.
So started the biggest challenge of our lives-it is very difficult to be pregnant and have a very young child. Emma learned how to crawl, said her first words, and she's now toddling around. It was a long hot summer too-Jonah was working full time, I was working part time. Let me tell you-it is so hard to have a job while pregnant, especially one that requires you to be on your feet. And I definitely started showing sooner with a second baby. We found out that the baby is a boy, and that my due date was in mid-December. We decided on the name Aiden Jaxx. We think Emma is excited to have a baby in the house; she points to my belly and says "Baby," or "Aaaaay." I don't think she fully understands-she's not even one yet. But we're so excited for our new arrival. :)
I'll keep you guys all posted, but keep December 16th in your prayers!
It's good to be back! Feel free to email me if you have any questions :)
-Raven!
Hi everyone! I know it's been practically a year since I've personally written in, but it has been completely crazy. Jonah and I are now engaged, and planning our official church wedding as soon as I lose the baby weight from baby number two-that's right, I found out I was pregnant when Emma was a few months old. I was told that breastfeeding prevents pregnancy, and I hadn't been cleared by my OBGYN to go back on the pill. Gradually, I stopped producing breast milk, and when I went to the doctor, they had me take a pregnancy test-which came back positive. This time, I was terrified and completely unsure of what to do-I love being a mom, but at the time I had a four month old who I was just starting to learn important parenting skills with. I didn't even know how to tell my fiancé that I was pregnant again-we had just moved into a small apartment and while our parents do help us out a lot, we still are trying to become financially independent from them and support our own little family. Jonah had also started working full time, at a job which he has since left for a different one that pays more-he works in a chiropractor's office, answering phones and filing now. But anyways, add that to the fact that I can only work part time because of Emma and I'm still taking online classes-money is definitely tight.
Basically, I tried to be cute in telling him. I cooked dinner consisting of all of the main foods I craved when I was pregnant with Emma-macaroni and cheese, watermelon (which I normally hate), rocky road ice cream, and a bunch of other stuff. He came home that night, saw the table, and just looked at me before asking "Are you serious?" I nodded before crying, and he pulled me into his arms and told me that we were going to have this baby, no
matter what, it was a physical manifestation of the way we felt about each other and it would be wrong to give that up.
So started the biggest challenge of our lives-it is very difficult to be pregnant and have a very young child. Emma learned how to crawl, said her first words, and she's now toddling around. It was a long hot summer too-Jonah was working full time, I was working part time. Let me tell you-it is so hard to have a job while pregnant, especially one that requires you to be on your feet. And I definitely started showing sooner with a second baby. We found out that the baby is a boy, and that my due date was in mid-December. We decided on the name Aiden Jaxx. We think Emma is excited to have a baby in the house; she points to my belly and says "Baby," or "Aaaaay." I don't think she fully understands-she's not even one yet. But we're so excited for our new arrival. :)
I'll keep you guys all posted, but keep December 16th in your prayers!
It's good to be back! Feel free to email me if you have any questions :)
-Raven!