Taking the pregnancy test, I held my breath. It was August 2020, and I was three weeks pregnant with my first child. But I was only 18 years old and had been with my partner, Billy Bailey, who was 23 and a team leader butcher, for just seven months. We had met eight months earlier in December 2019 during a night out in our hometown of Leicester. The baby was an unexpected and exciting surprise, although we hadn’t used contraception. I had a feeling I might be pregnant and bought tests from the shops.
The first one came back negative, but the second one, taken the next morning, was positive. It was a lot to take in all at once, as we were still a relatively new couple. However, despite our youth, Billy and I decided to keep the baby. Fortunately, our families were not too shocked and supported us, even though I was a teenager. I continued to live with my parents until the eighth month of my pregnancy, and I was scared I would end up homeless – it was very stressful, especially as I also suffered from morning sickness.
Still, despite the struggles, I felt like I was meant to do it. So, at 11 weeks postpartum, Billy and I decided we wanted to try again. The first time we had intimacy – just eight weeks after I had given birth – was a bit uncomfortable, but we made the most of it. I took my time, and I was glad I had done my pelvic floor and core body exercises during the pregnancy. And, 16 weeks later, I became pregnant again. I was super excited, but when we told friends and family, we received mixed reactions. Many were shocked and thought we were crazy – they were even more stunned when we said the baby was planned.
They also thought I was too young to cope with two babies so close in age or that we hadn’t thought it through. But Billy and I informed people that it was intentional, and we wanted our children close in age so they could be friends as well as siblings. However, that didn’t prevent people from expressing their opinions. Now, I’m eight months pregnant with our second son, who is growing well and due on July 25. I’m planning a home birth, and I anticipate there will be negative comments about that as well. This pregnancy has been straightforward and easier than when I was carrying Rui, and I’m looking forward to having ‘two under two.’ I decided to share details of my pregnancy on TikTok.
When people realized I was only 20 and having back-to-back babies, the trolling intensified. People have said I am “ruining my life,” a “scrounger,” and suggested that “obviously the child’s father is not around.” I was criticized for my rising pose, tattoos, and even my belly button. I’ve been told I am “selfish,” “destroying my life,” and a “waste of space.
Trolls were convinced that I was a single mom and claimed I was “ruining my life” by having two babies at such a young age. But Billy loves me, Rui, and the new baby very much. So many people jump to the wrong conclusion that I am a scatterbrain with no idea what I’m doing. The reality is that we’re a loving family, and having our children close in age means they can grow up to be friends and siblings.