Pregnant at 15

by Victoria

I was one of those girls who thought something like this will never happen to me, I thought I knew everything, and boy, was I in for a big surprise. In September 2001, during my first week of grade 11, and 15 years old I found out I was pregnant. I was scared and wished I had waited, I was convinced that the last thing in the world I wanted was a baby. I told my boyfriend, and he told his family. They thought I did it on purpose and was trying to trap him and wanted me to have an abortion. We all went together to tell my dad and surprisingly he wasn’t even close to as mad as I thought he would be. We talked, and basically decided it was up to me if I kept the baby or not, but I was to get a job, and finish high school.

I turned sixteen when I was 4 months along, and I was already getting huge. I couldn’t believe what was happening to my body and I hated it. Everything changed during the first week of December when I went in for my first ultrasound. I saw him and they showed me his heart and everything, and his little arms and legs were moving, and I fell in love. I knew right then that this was my baby and I was going to do whatever it took to raise this child.

I was due to have him May 5th 2002, and i went in labour April 22nd. I was convinced that morning that I was going to have him, so after my doctor’s appointment up in the city my sister, my boyfriend and I headed to the mall to walk around a bit. We walked for 2 hours before anything happened, and another 2 after that before heading to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital just after 7 pm and they took me in and checked me and I was 4 cm dilated. Things were going pretty smoothly, but I didn't want to risk everything slowing down so I walked around in the hospital for another 2 hours. By this point everyone had been called and was on their way, but the hospital was in another town, so it took quite awhile to get there.

At 9 pm they checked me again and contractions were getting stronger but I was still only 4 cm dilated. It was like nothing wanted to happen. I was too uncomfortable to walk around anymore...6 hours is an awful long time, so I just stayed in my room and tried to sleep. Right around 11 pm the doctor came in and I was 6 cm and 90% effaced, so they broke my water, and I couldn't handle the pain. Both my family and my boyfriend’s family were there by this point, and they could hear me screaming from the waiting room. I wanted my mom and dad, and I wanted them right then. As soon as my dad saw me he told me I needed something for pain. I wanted to be strong, but he convinced me to get the epidural around 12:45am, and I am so happy he did.

I was given the pain relief and all was checked again and I was 7 cm dilated and fully effaced, but the nurse said it would still be awhile. Well maybe 10 minutes later I was yelling to the doctor because I was ready to push. The epidural hadn’t had enough time to kick in yet, so I was still feeling most of what was happening. I started pushing at 1 am and he was born at 1:15 am, April 23rd 2002. 7 lbs 12 1/4 oz.

My son is now 4 1/2 years old, and his father and I are still together, and are currently trying for a second child...a baby sister or brother for our son. He is so smart and looks just like his father, and acts just like me...most of the time. He is definitely his own person, and I can’t imagine what my life would be like without him in it.

For all you teenage parents out there, it is definitely just as scary and hard as you think it is. No one is going to lie and tell you everything is going to be perfect, and chances are you will miss out on some of the things other people your age are doing. But with every day that passes, and every new thing a child does, it opens your eyes at the pure innocence and beauty in each and every child. That child needs you just as much as you need it, and nothing can ever take away the love you have for your child.