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The four words I'll never get used to. For now, at least.
My husband, Nicolyn, and I always knew we only wanted two children. And after our firstborn, Nikolai, turned four years old, we felt it was time for another bundle of joy.
I mean, it's the perfect age for him to get a little brother or sister, right? But now he's getting THREE!
Also see: Pregnancy Week by Week
Let me backtrack a little…
We've just arrived home from Kimberley after spending the Easter weekend with my sister and her family. The following Saturday, Nicolyn and Nikolai decided to go to my in-laws for the day. But I opted for some me-time and binge-watched series, moving only to top up my snacks.
At the time, I had been feeling weird but thought it was because I was meant to get my period the following week. Nonetheless, I decided to buy a pregnancy test. Just to be sure. Two stripes! YES! I'm pregnant!!!
Time stood still as I waited for the boys to return home so that I could share the news.
Nikolai was up first. When he came to greet me, I gave him a note to give to his dad: "Pappa, I'm getting a little brother or sister".
When Nicolyn read the note, he gave the most beautiful smile, followed by: "Is it true?!"
I said, yes. For a moment, I wasn't sure what his reaction would be, because it felt like only a few minutes went by after we decided to expand the family.
Only after a while, he reminded me that he's been thinking of buying a smaller car. (Guess we have to put that idea on hold, haha!).
'I needed to be triple sure'
Just to make double sure, I took another pregnancy test the next day. Two stripes again. I needed to be triple sure, though, so I had a pregnancy blood test done.
The test results confirmed my pregnancy and estimated that I was about five weeks along. The news only really sunk in after the blood test was done.
I'm officially pregnant with another baby.
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Two weeks later, I woke up and noticed light bleeding. My heart sank, and I was overcome with anxiety.
I remember waking Nicolyn up and seeing the shock on his face. True to form, he tried to calm me, but I was convinced I was having a miscarriage.
A million thoughts raced through my mind. 'Why me?', 'We were just starting to get excited', 'We didn't even share the news with anyone yet'.
After a good cry, I left for work. The bleeding had stopped by now. I don't think I was thinking straight at the time, because my emotions got the better of me, and I just burst into tears at work.
'It was one of two things: a miscarriage or one that's still going to happen'
I decided to go to the emergency room because there was no way that I could focus or be productive as if nothing was wrong.
Waiting for the doctor to call me in felt like a lifetime. After he examined me, he sent me for a scan.
It was one of two things: a miscarriage or one that's still going to happen. And should it happen, there's nothing they could do for me.
Off to the radiologist for my scan, this was to check if there was still a heartbeat. The silence in the room was deafening, and I waited nervously for her to utter the first words.
Eventually, she said that everything looks fine to her. She could see the baby's heartbeat, but there was more. There were two heartbeats!
At this point, I was in no mood for jokes and just in disbelief. But it was so visible. There were definitely two heartbeats.
Upon further inspection, she saw a third sack, but she couldn't see a heartbeat.
'Three heartbeats!'
By now, I really felt like I was the only member at a Trevor Noah show, and every joke was directed at me. Because how is this even possible?!
Another doctor confirmed that there are definitely three heartbeats!
At this stage, I experienced an overload of emotions. I didn't know if I felt joy, shock or worry.
The doctor then informed me that the reason for the bleeding could possibly have been brought on by gestation. Within seconds, all the doctors came to congratulate me. I just sat on the bed, overwhelmed, surprised, and frankly, numb.
Nicolyn was at a meeting, so I had to let him know first. I wasn't sure how I was going to say it, but I just spat it out. And his reaction was priceless…
Until next time…
Chantelle Whittles,
A-Bundlely Blessed
Follow Chantelle's journey from 1 to 4 on Parent24.
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