Staring down at the pregnancy test in my hands, I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing. ‘I’m pregnant,’ I laughed to my husband Jack, then 28, as tears of joy began to fall.
It was 2020 and Jack and I hadn’t been expecting to receive such good news so soon. Our firstborn, Rory, was nine months old, and we’d struggled to conceive him, so, perhaps naively, we’d thought trying for a second child might be the same. Only now, the test in my hand said otherwise. I knew two under two wasn’t going to be easy. ‘But think how close they’ll be,’ I smiled at Jack, who pulled me in for a hug.
My pregnancy progressed well, only, at my 20-week scan in November 2020, our happiness turned to fear.
‘Your baby is missing their right forearm,’ the technician said, pointing at the screen.
Doctors didn’t know why our baby hadn’t developed properly, but we were told they’d be born with a disability. Wandering out of the ultrasound suite in a daze and back to the car, I couldn’t stop crying.
I was terrified of the unknown and couldn’t help blaming myself. Had I done something wrong during my pregnancy? Doctors had reassured me that the cause was unknown and was nothing I’d done, but it was hard. ‘How will they cope?’
I finally choked to Jack. I couldn’t help but worry about our baby’s future, fretting that they’d be bullied at school and that they’d struggle to keep up with their peers.
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
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?
Get the GOSS
Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories