This pregnancy was totally unplanned. So, when I found out, I honestly felt that my life was over. I was working as a nurse and feeling like I was at the peak of my life. In my mind I was going to have kids when I turn 40 or never…

I was having a gut feeling that something was different with my body. I went ahead and took a pregnancy test because something kept telling me I’m pregnant. And as soon as I saw the double lines, I screamed so hard my husband almost dropped the plates he was washing.

Ironically his best friend called him, who is a psychiatrist, and as we told him the news, he thought we were joking around. Then he heard me crying and realized it was true. He helped us internalize the news.

We then told my parents and they immediately connected with my unborn baby and told me this was destined to happen and to look at this baby as a blessing.

I knew how to take care of adults - even those whose hearts stop. But how do I take care of a helpless baby who can’t talk to me? I told myself... but my Mom then said no one ever prepares to become a Mom, it will happen; trust me.

Here I am now, 8 months after pushing and what I once thought was going to stop my future, is now my whole world and joy. He has been the motivation for me to go through anything and in fact gave me purpose.

Ever since then I found passion in reaching out to pregnant women and even more to those who are post-partum. I volunteer at a pregnancy center and help counsel women who have crisis pregnancy. My baby is now my world. And my mom was right - I did become a mom!

Kirsten. USA

I was 25, in my NQT year of teaching so had my first real class and living at home with my parents. My partner and I were slowly saving for a house and we were planning our wedding. Added to this he lived in South Wales and I lived in Milton Keynes (we had been together 4 years and lived apart for the last two!) I had suspected I could be pregnant but decided to push it to the back of my mind. After confiding in a friend, I decided to get a pregnancy test. I used to get to school early, there weren’t many people there, so I could do the things I needed to! I decided I would try and take the test during this time at school, not 100% sure of the ramifications of this! Whilst I waited for the results, I had my partner on the windowsill on the phone.

I grew up in a family who had very strong traditional views and knew that they wouldn’t respond well.

When I saw the two pink lines, I was in two minds. Firstly, I was overwhelmed. This is something I had always wanted and yet worried I was unable to conceive. But there was a small part of me that was filled with dread. I sat on the toilet and cried. My partner and I spent a long time over the next few weeks trying to get our heads around the news and decided what we were going to do.

Over dinner we decided that we were going to do this, but there were lots of things we needed to work out. Where we were going to live and how to provide stability for our baby.

Breaking the news to my parents wasn’t easy. They didn’t take it well and spent almost all my pregnancy not talking to me. It was only near the end when they realised that this was actually happening that they started to get over their thoughts and accept the situation. My sister on the other hand did not talk to me until my son was born.

We worked hard during my pregnancy and in the space of 6 months we saved a deposit and bought our first house. We renovated it and made it our own. The only hard part is that it was in South Wales and away from all my friends and family.

It was the best decision we ever made and becoming a mum has really made me feel complete (as corny as that sounds!) I wouldn’t change it for the world!

Courtney. UK

When I first found out I was pregnant I had very mixed emotions. I was excited, overjoyed but also scared and afraid. I was afraid of how we would cope both emotionally and financially as we already had a 5-year-old daughter! I decided to go with the flow and now concentrate on my health. After the 9-week mark of pregnancy I had abdominal pains and required an ultrasound... where I found out I was having twins, OMG the fear. We have a small house, small car and average paying jobs, not to mention the impact on my health!

In addition, the pregnancy took a toll on my health in the development of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and not to mention fortnightly ultrasounds. But now my twin girls are 4 months old and even though my life is challenging to say the least, I love them more than words can describe. All the best to all mums and dads who are doing it tough!

Nadia. Australia

When I fell pregnant, I was only 23 and it came as a great surprise to myself and my boyfriend (now husband). I took the test because I had been experiencing odd cramps however my period wasn't even late yet. When it came back positive, I cried for 3 hours straight and had a sickening feeling in my stomach for weeks. It just felt like a nightmare I wasn't waking up from. I was mainly worried about how my family would take it rather than being upset about having a child.

Breaking the news to my family was the most challenging thing I have ever done in my life. Thoughts of disownment and being thrown out onto the street did occur to me. They did not take the news well at first and it was a difficult few months. But now that my little one is here; my entire family are absolutely in love with him. They plan their entire lives in order to spend time with him. And me - he's by far the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can't imagine a life that didn't include him. 

Tina. Australia

When I first found out was pregnant, I was very happy about it, however I was also a little anxious.

My husband and I already have a two-year-old son, so it made me worry about our finances and what it will be like to have a newborn as well as a toddler!? To be honest, I still worry about having to divide my attention between two children.

At the same time, I can't wait to meet our second and for my son to have a new sibling to love and take care of!

We only have four weeks until the due date now!

Victoria. UK