Maddy's Story
Tell us a little bit about your story. What year were you when you found out?
I found out I was pregnant two weeks before I started my freshman year at Auburn. I had a full academic scholarship, and I was eight weeks pregnant when I found out. At the time, my boyfriend and I had been together for only a few months, but I’ve known him since I was eight years old. I love math. I was going to major in Accounting.
What two words describe how you felt when you found out you were
pregnant?
Scared and alone. I felt like I was the only one going through an unplanned pregnancy at my age. Most freshman girls were joining sororities or going downtown every weekend.
What was something surprisingly difficult about your unplanned pregnancy?
I never stopped getting sick. The morning sickness never ceased, and in my second trimester my acid reflux (that got 10 times worse during pregnancy) burned a hole in my throat. It caused me to throw up blood almost every day until I gave birth. It made it especially hard to keep up with my classes, much less attend all of them.
What was something surprisingly pleasant about your journey?
Both my boyfriend’s family and my family were so supportive. Everyone was so positive and excited about the baby. It made the journey so much more comforting. It was much easier to stay calm about the life-altering situation.
Who was someone who made a difference during your pregnancy and the months following? What did they do to support you?
My boyfriend was my rock. He catered to my every need (and craving). He comforted me when I burst into tears for no reason at all, and his excitement matching mine showed me how great of a father he would be.
How do you wish those around you had supported you?
I wish the people around me would’ve understood what was happening. I wasn’t on the same wavelength as most people my age. I had to grow up really fast; my story was completely different than theirs. I wish they would’ve understood how much “adulting” I had to do. It was more than just the normal college experience of “moving away” and being on your own because I was about to care for another person in the mix.
Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
I wish I would have come to terms with my pregnancy faster than I did. I was so scared and helpless that I was in denial for a few months, when I should have been enjoying the beauty of it all.
Looking back, what would you say to yourself the day you found out you were pregnant?
“Stop crying. You’re going to have the most beautiful and perfect baby girl you’ve ever seen. She is saving your life.”
If Baby Steps had existed, how could this have impacted your experience?
It would have helped the loneliness I felt day-to-day. It’s hard going to as large of a campus as Auburn and feeling like you’re the only one in that situation.
What is one of the greatest joys in your life?
Jane. The day she was born will forever be my favorite day. She makes every day brighter.
What makes you feel most alive?
Jane (again). She truly did save my life. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression since junior high school (and still do) but that little girl makes everything so much better. She is the happiest and sweetest baby I’ve ever seen To think that I created something so perfect and pure makes me feel so powerful.
Where are you now?
Currently still in Auburn (I was raised here) AND engaged to Jane’s dad, Andrew. Jane was born during spring break of my freshman year and I took the next year off. I’ll start online classes again in this upcoming fall, but I’ve switched my major to Mathematics Education. I tutored for math in high school. Since Jane was born, I’ve discovered how much I love kids and how I’d love to work with them every day. We plan to get married in March of 2019, and then plan to move our family to Georgia.