Surrogate’s Belly Keeps Growing, Doctor Discovers Something In Ultrasound
Shaniece decided to do the most selfless act humanly possible: become a surrogate for a young couple. She witnessed surrogacy before, so she thought her experience wouldn't be any different. Shaniece followed all of the steps: she made sure to take her prenatal vitamins, eat healthy meals, and of course, get enough rest!
After something felt wrong, Shaniece went to the doctor. You will never believe what he discovered in the ultrasound.
Something's Wrong
The pregnancy was going well! That is until the second trimester hit. Even though this was Shaniece's first pregnancy, she knew something was wrong when her stomach grew substantially larger than what is considered normal. Was something wrong with the baby?
She could never satisfy the baby's hunger. Her back was in excruciating pain due to the extra belly weight, and comfort was a thing long in the past. Was this all normal?
The Ultrasound Left Her With More Questions
On the way to the hospital, all Shaniece felt was anxiety and fear. The nurse tried to calm her down during the ultrasound. "Don't worry. Every pregnancy experience is different. Some women have it easy. Others have it tough," she explained.
These should have been words of comfort, and they were until the monitor flickered, and the nurse stood up and rushed from the room. They were leaving Shaniece with more questions than answers.
A Young Girl's Fairy Tale
Shaniece grew up in a loving home. Her parents were excellent role models, showing her the importance of family and sticking together. Her sister, Linda, found her partner at a very young age and was quick to marry right after graduation.
But not everything is as it seems, and although the couple was perfect on the outside, they had many problems early on in their married life. Even witnessing her sister struggle with marriage, Shaniece always wished for a family of her own.
"Only" Child
Linda left home when Shaniece was still a teenager. And like most teenagers, the little sister was delighted to be rid of her older sister. It meant no more sharing a room, no more listening to her sister complain about the dirty laundry on the floor, and no more constant fighting.
Life was going to be so much better being the only child in the house. Or so Shaniece thought.
She Began To Miss Her Sister
With her sister gone, although they often fought, the house became too quiet for Shaniece. The lack of yelling did not phase her parents, but Shaniece felt a bit empty. It's not like she didn't see her sister, they'd catch up on weekends. But it wasn't the same.
The closer Linda got with her husband, the more she seemed to push Shaniece away. So she went to talk to her older sister, only to find her in an unexpected state.
A Family Affair
In typical mad sister fashion, Shaniece stormed up to Linda's cul-de-sac. She had her game face on and was ready to tell her sister how she felt about their growing distance. That's when she heard her brother-in-law's truck, a sound she would recognize a mile away.
Shaniece did what any family member would do, she waved. Strangely, he did not wave back and had a stern look on his face. She ran up to the house.
She Knew Something Was Wrong Based On This One Thing
Josh, her brother-in-law, could spot a friendly face a mile away. Maybe he was in a rush? Had a hard day at work? Pushing the thought to the side, Shaniece walked up to her sister's front door, noticing that the once beautiful rose garden was withered. Did someone ruin their garden? Or was her sister being neglectful?
After knocking six times in their secret rhythm, Linda opened the door. Shaniece was shocked at what she saw.
Was her sister lying?
Linda took pride in her appearance, always keeping her makeup perfect with nothing out of place. That's why her red nose, smeared mascara, and dark eye circles took Shaniece aback. She ran to the kitchen for a wet cloth, returning to pat her sister's face with the cool material and ask her a serious question. "Did he hurt you?"
"Don't be silly, I asked him to leave." Shaniece believed her. After all, Linda's never lied to her before, so why start now?
Mother Knows Best
At a young age, Shaniece made a promise to herself: never lie to her sister. If she couldn't trust Linda, who could she trust? But Linda was shaken up, making Shaniece question her sister's honesty. Maybe the couple was too young when they got married. Their mother had warned Linda that they weren't mature enough, but she didn't listen.
"Why would you ask him to leave, Linda? What's going on with you two?" Shaniece had a few scenarios playing through her mind, but she never expected this.
The Actual Problem Is Not What You Think
Linda couldn't keep the tears at bay. "You know we've been trying for a year now, Shaniece. He wants to take out another loan for IVF, but we can't afford it. We couldn't afford the first treatment." Shaniece struggled with her own emotions.
She's been there for her sister through all her firsts: first heartbreak, first fight with Josh, even the day before her wedding when she had cold feet. But none of that match up to fertility issues. Shaniece was going to be by Linda's side.
Cure For All Ills: Face Masks and Manicures
Shaniece knew Linda would never be truly happy without a child to call her own. So she made sure she was going to be there for her sister to support her, starting with a sleepover. And what's a sleepover without nail polish and face masks?
Over the course of the weekend, Shaniece convinced Linda to try one last time. What could it hurt? Linda took her little sisters advice. They never thought that sleepover would have such a lasting impact on their lives.
From Miracle to Heartache
After two years of fighting and making up, Linda finally got pregnant. Shaniece couldn't have been happier for her sister and brother-in-law, but Linda wanted to keep it a secret until their reveal. They never made it to that point in the second trimester. With the miscarriage, Linda gave up all hope of her dream family. Maybe being a mom wasn't in the cards for her?
She became a hermit, hiding from the world, but Shaniece wasn't going to let her sister drown in her sorrow.
Falling Into A Deep Depression
For two months Linda refused to leave the house. She was only getting out of bed to bathe and watch some television. Even Shaniece couldn't lift her sister's spirits; she was broken. That didn't sway Shaniece from trying.
She would drag her older sister from bed to the bathroom, cook her favorite meals, and even paint her nails in bed. Just as everyone thought all hope was lost, Josh pulled one last trick out of the hat.
The Hope They Were All Looking For
Josh knew his plan was unorthodox, but he was willing to try anything to see his wife smile again. As teenagers, they had picked out their future children's names in the hopes that someday they would have a family together. He had promised her the world and couldn't help but feel like he was failing.
The miscarriage had a horrific effect on Linda's mental health, but Josh's idea sparked light behind her eyes that they hadn't seen in months. What if his sister became their surrogate?
What Happens When You're All Out Of Options?
There are risks involved, not to mention the extreme sacrifice if Josh's sister agrees to be their surrogate. This was the biggest favor anyone could ask of another person. They were close, but would his sister agree to such a request? It's a lot to ask of anyone. Could Josh and Linda put this type of weight on her?
But what choice do you have when you're entirely out of options? They had to at least try. Josh wasted no time inviting his sister to the house to ask her for the favor of all favors.
The Answer That Changed Everything
Linda wasn't going to get her hopes up. Most likely, she would decline their request. She understood though, they were asking a lot. After a deep breath, she looked at Linda and said three words that changed Linda's world, again. "I'll do it."
Linda sobbed. Josh thought they were happy tears, and they were, but they were also because she was terrified. All she wanted was a baby, and this was her last chance. What if something went wrong?
Cause and Effect
Josh's sister had agreed to be their surrogate. How were they ever going to repay her? She was going to carry their child for nine months, and if all goes well, give birth to a healthy baby.
When Shaniece heard the news, she didn't understand how one woman could be so selfless. She was thrilled that she was finally going to be an aunt. Little did she know that Josh's sister would inspire her actions years later. But did Linda's sister-in-law think surrogacy through?
Second Thoughts
After Josh's sister agreed, Linda's delight swiftly wore off, and doubt took its place. What if the surrogacy damaged their relationship beyond repair? What if her sister-in-law's bond with the baby was so strong that she struggled to give them over to the couple?
Linda pushed those dark thoughts away. She was not going to let her own fear intrude on this happy occasion. They owed it to themselves to try for a child one last time.
Another Option
Due to their pregnancy track record, Josh and Linda struck a deal with one another. If the pregnancy didn't take, they would look into adoption. Who cares if their DNA didn't match the child? There were thousands of children all over the world dreaming of a home with loving parents. Nowhere does it say you have to be related to be someone's parent.
Shaniece prayed for her sister every night. Not once did she think that her prayers would actually work.
She Was Always Meant To Be A Mom
Albeit a month premature, Josh's sister gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl. Shaniece cried for hours. She had never been so in awe before. It was as if every moment in her life had led up to her experiencing the miracle of life.
Although the pregnancy took a few years, with more than one hardship along the way, Linda finally could call herself a mother. Shaniece made a personal promise that day.
Shaniece's Turn
After witnessing the joy Josh's sister had given them, Shaniece vowed that someday she would do the same. She wanted to be as selfless as Josh's sister and help a struggling couple realize their dreams of becoming parents. When that day finally came, she was nervous, but in her head, she knew what was going to happen.
She watched a surrogacy before, after all. What Shaniece didn't know was that her experience was going to be entirely unique.
She Met The Perfect Couple
Shaniece was 21 when she met the perfect couple. Joanna and Steve were loving and positive, but there was a familiar sadness behind Joanna's eyes. It was the same sadness she saw in her older sister's eyes for years. When Shaniece told Linda about helping the couple have a baby, her sister burst with pride.
Shaniece flew to Los Angeles for the procedure. The pregnancy took, and she flew back home. It was everything afterward that didn't go as planned.
This 21-Year-Old Decided To Help Someone Instead of Party
What 21-year-old is so selfless as to forfeit their first year of legal drinking? "...I wasn't interested in partying and drinking. I wanted to help another couple fulfill their family dream," Shaniece explained. Joanna and Steve were beyond grateful. And why wouldn't they be? Their dreams of starting a family were about to become real.
As her pregnancy headed into the second trimester, Shaniece started to feel like something was off. They soon discovered she was right.
She Kept Working Even Though Something Was Amiss
Having no other surrogate references other than Josh's sister, Shaniece decided to work for as long as her protruding belly would allow. She worked five days a week, powering through the sickness, nausea, and not to mention the back and ankle pain.
Her mantra was reminding herself that it would all be worth it to make Joanna and Steve's dreams a reality. That doesn't mean she was able to shake the worry that something was wrong.
Finally, She Calls Her Doctor
Shaniece's life went on per usual. The only difference being her large intake of watermelon and the chocolate cravings. But when her stomach blew up like a balloon in the second trimester she couldn't disregard it.
Babies grow the most in the last few months of pregnancy, her size didn't seem right. If she was this big now, there's no telling what she would look like in a few months. She immediately called her doctor for his take on the situation.
A Speechless Doctor is Never a Good Sign
Her busy work schedule had kept Shaniece from going to the doctor, but now she had some questions. And being a hormonal pregnant woman, she wasn't going to leave without some answers. She went through the typical steps for her ultrasound, only to have the nurse rush out of the room after a momentary flicker of the monitor.
Shaniece wasn't expecting the doctor to walk into her room speechless while looking over her ultrasound results.
You'll Never Guess The Results
After the doctor just stood there silently, Shaniece automatically thought something horrible happened. "What is it? Is something wrong with the baby?" Shaniece explained while the doctor just rifled through his paperwork. "Just tell me!" She shouted.
A doctor that stays silent for this long is never a good sign. The doctor finally cleared his throat and looked up from his clipboard. Shaniece never would have guessed the next three words that came out of his mouth.
3x More Than What She Bargained For
"You're having triplets," Dr. Ryan told her. The doctor's fleeting smile did nothing to reassure Shaniece. Triplets? Joanna and Steve asked for one child, not three! A million questions raced through her mind. What was she going to tell the couple? What was she going to do if they didn't want the two other children?
There was no way she was ready to be a single mom with two babies. What in the world was she going to do?
Future Family of Three Makes Room for Two More
Joanna and Steve were beyond ecstatic. They thought their little family was going to grow by one, but now they had two more to look forward to! Shaniece pointed out the three little dots on the ultrasound picture, feeling, for the first time, like everything was going to work itself out. But as the weeks passed the aches in her body increased and her stomach never seemed to stop growing.
Shaniece was a fighter, and she believed that Joanna and Steve's shot at happiness was worth the temporary pain.
Welcome To The World!
After hours of labor, Shaniece gave birth to three beautiful babies: Willow, Daisy, and Harrison. Seeing the three siblings, Shaniece couldn't help but reminisce about growing up with Linda. The triplets were lucky to have one another and are bound to become the best of friends. "Even though I was only 21 and it was a huge responsibility carrying their babies, it was one of the best experiences of my life," Shaniece shared.
Shaniece reminds us that not all heroes wear capes, and one selfless act is enough to change someone's life.
