Pregnancy Stories Contest
Submissions 1 - 10
The Pregnancy Birthing Story of Reece
Reece was born at 39 wks due to several negative factors via emergency C-section. I thought was the end of the world but with all the help of the hospital staff kept me sane through it all and not so bad. When Reece was in my womb I always said I had an acrobat in my tummy. When they pulled him out his legs were straight up in the air and all the staff said I had an acrobat on my hands! Not to mention he snorted the piglet. Which concidentally his room is classic pooh! … Read more
Susan's secret
Susan is so very happy, but she’s finding it hard to know, whether to tell her secret, or to wait for it to grow. The secret comes with a time limit, and she knows this very well, for no matter when she says it, the secret will show and tell. Soon that sweet little secret will dress in flesh and bone, it will cry and sleep and smile, in its brand new shape and form. You see, bodies hide many secrets throughout the years they give, but only women have the power to make a secret live.
That Little Soul had Me Pegged
In an ultrasound at seven months, the baby stuck out his tongue. The doctor and I laughed. Then, there was silence. He'd found a genetic defect. Numb, I left the exam table and peed. I became a statistic: The baby needed surgery; the baby might have Down Syndrome; the baby might be born early; the baby might die. I got in my car and rested my forehead against the steering wheel. Then, I cried. But that little soul had me pegged. He survived and turned into the best news of my life. Heaven just couldn’t wait to tell me.
Expectations
"Pregnant?" In my sleep I feel him lying awake.
"How many weeks?" My mother. "May not come to anything," she said when Sarah announced at four. I'm eleven.
When I hear the heartbeat I could burst with joy.
The books are full of warnings, tests, deadly cheeses. I hardly dare breath.
I come home spotting blood. Pregnancy and work are too much. "Other people manage," he says.
I want cherishing, nourishing, nurturing. Glowing serenely. "Unrealistic expectations," he says.
He starts shouting, perhaps to bridge the growing chasm.
In the … Read more
An alien baby!
Mom was my birth coach since I was sans significant other and conveniently missed Lamaze class by delivering prior to attending. Two children delivered under heavy 1970’s era sedation made her fully qualified. She insisted I go natural, I think to live vicariously. While timing my hold a gallon up the butt so you don’t poop on the doctor marathon she giggled incessantly escalating to a ‘times up’ guffaw. Her coaching breaths through contractions sounded more like a death rattle and really confused the nurses. When Eva arrived my mother beamed, "she looks like Read more
Hey, Bro!
Due date: April 11th, 1988. Complications ensue. Induced March 30th. Me: "Doctor, I cannot have this baby March 31st - that's my stepson's birthday and he'll plotz!" Doctor: "Honey, I have news for you - you're having this baby March 31st. Now push!" I hold out as long as I can then realize the alternative: an April fool! Baby Will is born March 31st. Me: "Happy 14th Birthday, Jonathan - it's a brother!" Eventually, he forgave me. They call each other "Bro."
Who's Pregnant?
The first pregnancy test I took showed one bright pink line and one faint pink line. Was I pregnant?! I had never seen a positive pregnancy test before. The picture in the directions showed a bold second line, not one so faint you had to squint to see it. I took a second test: same results, same confusion. There was only one way to determine if this was a positive. My husband peed on the third test. I had my answer. I was pregnant and my husband definitely was not.
My Miracle Son!
I married a man to soon. I didn't know he was a drug addict. I found out I was pregnant while he was in rehab. Due to the stress, I lost the baby. 8 months later I found myself pregnant at 39. I had just told him I was pregnant. He stabbed me fourteen times and cut my throat. I survived as did my son. Birth was a C-section at 40. I had a infection following birth and stayed in the hospital for over a month. The first month of his life I was gone. Not anymore! I LOVE … Read more
It was you
My grandma flew down with my mom to visit us. I decided I couldn't keep the secret any longer even though we had just found out ourselves. So, I told her out on the sunny porch as she sat wearing a straw hat and playing with the cat. I whispered in her ear "I'm pregnant!" She kicked her wheelchair closer to me and broke into a grin. And then she laughed and pointed at my husband and said, "It was you!" Grandma died peacefully that June, a month before our daughter was born. At least she knew.
All children are important
After two own pregnancies and after the time I was thinking that only my two children are the best of the world I saw the truth: all new born babies are important, are equal. They are a wonder and holy. With this thinking no more religion war makes sense...or do you want to tell me that a mother is proud when her child kills people in the name of god?
What's Your Pregnancy Story?
A contest from Rick's Picks and SMITH Magazine
Do you have an amazing, unusual, or simply memorable pregnancy story? SMITH Magazine and the delicious pickle maker Rick’s Picks invite you to share your tale of this momentous time in your life in 100 words or less.
Seven of you (six future moms and one dad) will win a mouth-watering Rick’s Picks Pregnancy Pack and a copy of SMITH’s bestselling book, NOT QUITE WHAT I WAS PLANNING: Six-Word Memoirs By Writers Famous & Obscure. Three Grand Prize Winners will have their image and story published on jars of Rick’s Picks, aptly named dill pickle, Slices of Life, “the Pickle of Pregnancy” that moms-to-be crave.
Also, check out our earlier feature, Beautiful Pregnant Women, featuring the photos of Jennifer Maya Luz Pliego.
About Rick's Picks
Rick’s Picks cofounder Rick Field grew up making traditional pickles with his family in Vermont. The 11 varieties now made by Rick’s Picks are distinguished by their exceptional quality, with an unusual array of varieties and flavor profiles. The pickles are hand-packed and all natural, and made with locally sourced produce, bringing innovation to a category that hasn’t seen much change in a long time.
About SMITH
SMITH Magazine cofounder Larry Smith grew up swapping stories with his family in New Jersey, especially his grandfather, Morris "Smitty" Smith. The stories featured on SMITH Magazine are distinguished by their exceptional quality, with an unusual array of varieties and personal flavor. Each story is handpicked by its editors from among the thousands of submissions that readers send in, bringing innovation to a category that hasn’t seen much change in a long time.
The Book: Not Quite What I Was Planning
Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure collects almost 1,000 six-word memoirs, including additions from many celebrities including Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, Richard Ford, Dave Eggers, Mario Batali, Aimee Mann, and more.
The Fine Print & Contest Rules
By submitting an entry, you are granting SMITH and Rick’s Picks the right to reprint or republish that entry online or in print, as well as make any necessary edits. See SMITH's terms of service for complete details.
This contest ends August 1, 2008. Prizes are not redeemable for cash and must be accepted as awarded. Winners are decided at the discretion of SMITH judges and all decisions are final. SMITH reserves the right to change the contest rules. Enter as often as you want. SMITH reserves the right to reprint or republish all entries.