As I mentioned previously, I had been charting my cycles for about six months by taking my waking temperature and tracking my cervical fluid. Based on my charting, specifically my temperatures, I had not ovulated. I never had a significant rise in temperature that usually signifies ovulation. Enter January 1, 2014. What a great way to start off the New Year! I had my first significant temperature spike and knew that we timed everything right. I also knew that I needed to have a luteal phase (the time between when you ovulate and when you would start your period) of at least 10 days to even be able to sustain a pregnancy. I can tell you those 10 days were loooong. Every single morning I dreaded but also looked forward to taking my temperature. It remained high but I was so skeptical and didn’t want to get my hopes up. I didn’t even really talk about it with Joe.
Eight DPO (days post-ovulation) I had some very light spotting which made me think I was starting my period. Now looking back, I’m positive it was implantation bleeding. I was also having cramps and was constantly starving, all signs that I should be starting my period. Ten DPO, no cycle and I’m dying to take a pregnancy test even though I know it’s still too early. I take one anyway and it’s very faintly positive. I think I almost collapsed on the floor. I’ve taken dozens of pregnancy tests and I’ve never had even the faintest sign of a positive. I was still skeptical and didn’t want to say anything to Joe until I had a solid positive.
The next day I headed to Washington, DC for a work trip. (Great timing!) I stashed some tests in my bag and waited a few more days to take another one. Thirteen DPO I take the test and it’s positive! There is no doubt in my mind that I am pregnant. The worst part was having to hold it in for a few more days before I could tell Joe! During this time I was having a lot of menstrual-like cramping and no bleeding. The cramps were a lot more intense than any I’ve had so I knew something different was going on. My breasts were also really sore (TMI I know) which never happens to me, only solidifying the positive test even further.
As soon I got back, I surprised Joe with a fun scavenger hunt throughout the house leading to me with “Thing 3” written on my stomach (our two pups are Thing 1 and Thing 2) and one of our pups wearing an “I’m Going to Be a Big Sister” shirt. Okay, it actually said “Thing E” on my stomach because I obviously can’t write on myself looking upside down…You can see the video Joe put together of my announcement to him here.
It was such a blessing to be able to celebrate the moment I had been dreaming about for two years. Smiling now just thinking about it. 🙂
If you’ve been pregnant, how did you find out? Did you surprise your significant other?
[vimeo 90541547 w=400 h=281]
Baby Announcement Video from Joe Pattavina on Vimeo.