'As the wave of pain began to build, I doubled over, trying desperately to keep breathing. "Women go through this every day," I told myself, collapsing on the bed.
'But I knew my labour was different. I was alone in my bedroom, surrounded by stuffed toys and schoolwork, timing my contractions with my Garfield digital clock. I was only 14 and about to become a mum.
As a child, I never had much stability. My parents divorced when I was five and my younger brother and I would move between mum and dad every few years.
Wherever I was living, one thing was the same - I saw a career in my future, not babies. But I also wanted love, and when Ben*, an older boy at school asked me out at 13, I was thrilled. I was so naive and besotted that I never thought about contraception when we started having sex.
A year later, when my friend Anna* tearfully told me she'd missed her period and asked if I would come to the family planning clinic, I instantly said yes. She asked me to also take a test so she wouldn't feel so alone.
"This is crazy," I thought, as the nurse tested my urine. "I've just had my period." Then came the words that changed my life forever: "Your test is positive. You're pregnant." In head-spinning shock, with a GP referral letter in hand, I stepped out to be met by Anna's relieved smile. She wasn't pregnant.
"But I am," I replied. Her mouth fell open. Leaving the clinic, I walked to Ben's house.
When he became angry, my hand flew straight to my stomach. My world had been turned upside down, but I knew I was keeping this baby, no matter what.
The next day was a blur. I woke up in a panic, pretended I was too ill to go to school, then sat on the sofa to break the news to my stepmum and dad. They were surprisingly calm, but when Dad phoned Mum I could hear her furious screams.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'IT'S THERAPY ON ANOTHER LEVEL'
Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe opens up on how the emotional storyline of her character Mercedes going through bowel cancer is helping her deal with losing her father to the same cruel disease
Teacher used school funds to pay hitman to kill his pregnant lover
When Jocelyn Peters bought potatoes, she didn't know one would be used to help murder her
'We held a joint funeral for my husband and my baby son'
Rhian Mannings, 47, tragically lost her son George at just one year old, and five days later her husband Paul was dead too
'I'd like to get married and so would Roger'
My Mum, Your Dad lovebirds, Roger and Janey, tell new about their 'lucky' connection and plans for the future
'You forget you're on TV, so it's very raw'
Celebs Go Dating's Chris Taylor and Tristan Phipps reveal why the experts' advice made them so emotional
Meghan 'hopes for new start with Kate'
Following the Princess of Wales' poignant cancer update, the Duchess of Sussex is reportedly ready for a reconciliation
Will Cat stay at This Morning?
Cat Deeley has faced criticism since joining the ITV daytime show, and a source tells new she wouldn't hesitate about quitting
'This is the best present could give my mum'
TOWIE favourite Gemma Collins solves a family mystery – and also discovers a surprising link to Jack The Ripper
Alison 'couldn't be happier'
Presenter Alison Hammond is loved-up and looking fabulous, and is more content than she's ever been, a source tells new
Molly set to 'make millions'
She's \"still hurting\" following her split from Tommy Fury, but Molly-Mae Hague is said to be looking to the future with an exciting new venture