We Swore We’d Never Fall for Another Pregnancy

Twenty weeks.

That’s how long we’ve been holding our breath, daring to dream, and slowly falling in love with this miracle growing inside me.

For those who have followed our journey, you know the years of heartbreak, infertility treatments, and miscarriages that have brought us here.

And yet, here we are: halfway through a pregnancy we once thought we’d never have, watching our baby girl thrive on the ultrasound screen, and feeling her tiny, reassuring kicks every single day.

For the first time, my husband and I are cautiously letting go of our fear. After years of loss and disappointment, it feels surreal — and slightly terrifying — to admit we’re excited.

The Twist of Fate That Changed Everything

If you’d told me in April 2024, as I packed up my desk after losing my high-stress tech job, that I’d be here — jobless, yes, but pregnant — I would’ve laughed (or cried, depending on the day).

Losing that job felt like another cruel twist in a story already littered with bad luck. But my husband, ever the optimist, encouraged me to see it as a blessing in disguise.

Stress had always been the shadow lurking behind our infertility, and this unexpected pause gave us space to breathe, heal, and let go of the IVF rollercoaster we’d been on for years. Then, in August, something unbelievable happened: I saw those two pink lines.

No needles, no hormones — just a little miracle we never thought we’d get.

But let me be honest: that joy came with a side of paralyzing fear. Every flutter, every checkup, every milestone has been accompanied by the worry that we might lose her too.

But now, at 20 weeks, with a healthy anatomy scan and a baby girl who loves practicing her karate kicks, we’re beginning to believe.

Preparing for Baby Girl on a Resident’s Salary

Here’s the thing about chasing a dream for years: when it finally arrives, it doesn’t come with a guidebook — or a padded savings account. My husband is in his second year of residency, and I’m still unemployed.

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While we’re beyond grateful for this miracle, we’re also facing the reality of preparing for a baby on one modest income.

We’ve decided to do most things secondhand — because who needs a thousand-dollar stroller when you’re living on love and leftovers? But there are a few key items we’d love to splurge on, not for vanity but for safety. And that’s where I’m going to do something bold, terrifying, and maybe a little crazy: I’m asking for your help.

A Registry for Hope

I’ve created a baby registry on Babylist with just a couple of higher-priced safety items.

No designer nursery furniture or luxury gadgets — just things we believe will give our little girl the safest start in life. It feels strange (and slightly vulnerable) to ask readers for support, but after sharing this journey with you, I figured: why not?

If you feel compelled to help, whether by contributing to one of these items or just sharing a kind word in the comments, it would mean the world to us. Of course, I understand that not everyone can or wants to give — and that’s okay.

Your support through reading, commenting, and sharing our story has already carried us through some of the darkest times.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about baby gear; it’s about turning a corner, about moving from survival mode to something that resembles joy. It’s about believing that this time, this baby, this dream might actually be ours to keep.

So here we are, in 2025, making bold moves, embracing vulnerability, and trusting that this incredible community might want to be a part of our next chapter. If nothing else, thank you for reading, for cheering us on, and for reminding us that even in the hardest moments, we are never alone.

If you’re curious, you can check out the registry here.

And if you’re not? That’s okay too — because your presence in this journey has already been a gift.

Tell me: How have you taken bold leaps of faith in your own life?

Let’s talk about it in the comments.

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Disclosure: For safety reasons, we have not included our personal address in the registry. However, if anyone feels inclined to help, Babylist allows you to contribute funds directly to any item on the list. Once funded, we’ll be able to purchase the items directly from the vendor. Thank you for your understanding and generosity!

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Hi, I’m Fiona, a writer going through an unexpected chapter in life.

I lost my job in April 2024, and my husband and I have been getting by on his small medical residency income. After stepping away from IVF, we were surprised and overjoyed to find ourselves pregnant, but it’s added financial stress as we prepare for this new journey.

Writing is my way of contributing to our family while covering essentials like groceries, bills and maybe items for our 🌈 miracle baby.

If you’d like to support us, your kindness would mean the world — every little bit helps. $1, $2…Anything is appreciated. Donate here (Venmo).

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This post was previously published on medium.com.

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