Shelbi's Story

My husband and I got married July 12, 2023. We both had children from previous relationships. We absolutely loved our blended family and our 4 boys meshed together perfectly.

As time had passed we realized that we had a missing piece and decided that we would like to have a child together. I was naïve and didn’t think about or know about loss at this point. I knew people lost children but I was one of the few who assumed it wouldn’t happen to me or us as I’d had no issues getting or keeping pregnancies in the past.

That’s when we decided to have my IUD removed on October 28, 2024. It was a painless deal. I remember asking the nurse practitioner how long we needed to wait to start trying. She stated I could go meet my husband on lunch break as I was “immediately fertile”. We started “trying” but weren’t putting too much pressure on it as we both didn’t have issues prior. We were getting ready to go to Branson for my middle son’s birthday and I remember feeling so nauseous as we were getting ready. But, didn’t think much of it as it had only been a few weeks (November 9th to be exact). A few days later I couldn’t help but try taking an ovulation test to see where I was in my cycle and decided to take a pregnancy test right along with it. There were immediately 2 lines. A dye stealer. I was absolutely shocked because my IUD hadn’t been out long enough for me to be “so pregnant”. November 13th I got my first positive test. This meant I was actually already pregnant before my IUD was removed. We were ecstatic but absolutely couldn’t believe it and neither could my OB’s office. They immediately had me come in to do lab work. My HCG was 416 and we were confirmed pregnant. We were both so happy. We were making plans and picking names. November 21st rolled around and I was having some severe pain on my left side. I tried to relax but the pain continued. I told my husband I think we need to go to the emergency room to get checked out. They came in and tried an abdominal ultrasound but then stated that they needed a transvaginal one. The tech was quiet and didn’t say much. We had been there for hours. I’d been laying there knowing something was wrong. That’s when the doctor came into the room and told me that our sweet baby was in the wrong place. I was at risk or dying and the baby was considered an “unviable pregnancy”. The doctor came in and gave me some medication. I will never ever forget the sobs that came from my husband and I. It was uncontrollable. It was so loud that the nurses had to come into the room and shut our door. We held hands. We mourned. We cried. Neither of us had ever hurt so bad.

The following weeks were filled with lab work, tears, and heartbreak. We tried to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas the best we could but we were both sad.

That’s when December 30th rolled around and I decided to take another test. I had no reason to think I was pregnant. No nausea. No anything. There was a faint line… I couldn’t believe it and was guarded. Loss will haunt you. I was terrified. I ended up going to the ER, I think mostly out of fear. They performed an ultrasound and told us that there was a gestational sac but wanted to continue to have lab draws weekly to make sure our pregnancy was progressing. That’s when the news came, my HCG wasn’t doubling. My doctor called and said prepare for the worst. I was still so hopeful. We wanted our baby so badly. That’s when January 18th rolled around. I started bleeding and cramping. The cramping was so intense that I tried so hard to stay at home but couldn’t stand the pain any longer. The emergency room visit was a nightmare. There was blood EVERYWHERE. My HCG had decreased significantly. They determined that I was actively miscarrying our second sweet baby.

We were crushed.

I decided that after so much heart break that my mind and body needed a break. A few months went by and we continued trying but had no positive tests. Mother’s Day came and it was the hardest. Yes, I was a mom but I was yearning for one more sweet baby. I was supposed to be pregnant. It hurt. I cried. The next day I decided to take another test. I had no symptoms but something told me to take one. It was immediately positive.

I. Was. Terrified. I took test after test. All were positive and after a few days I got my dye stealer. It was one of the best moments as I’d been testing over and over again.

Our first ultrasound there he was. Strong heartbeat. He even waved at us! Week after week I grew bigger. So much bigger that they swore something was wrong. I was tested for gestational diabetes twice. I was sent to an MFM and genetic testing. I was again terrified.

All were normal! Praise God!

January 5, 2026 at 7:41am our double rainbow baby made it into the world at 37 weeks via scheduled c section.

Harold “Haze” Christopher Bearden blessed us at 10 pounds 2 ounces!

He had a little trouble at first and spent a few days in the nursery but otherwise he was simply perfect!

THIS WAS THE GOD MOMENT.

We were released Thursday evening to go home. A small rain shower had just passed through. As soon as we walked outside off into the distance there was a double rainbow. Clear. As. Day. We got to hold our double rainbow and see it.

My journey into motherhood for the final time had a lot more loss then I ever expected I’d endure but we come out so very blessed. Some never get their rainbow.. my heart aches for you.

If you’re reading this.. if you or someone you know has had a loss. I’m so sorry. There is nothing anyone can say or do to take the pain away. But remember you’re not alone and there is always hope even when it seems out of reach.

I pray you find peace.

I pray you grieve.

I pray you hold onto hope.

I pray you don’t hurt.

I pray for you.

I’ve been you. You are not alone.