Something's Wrong
A sharp pain shot through Mark’s barely-recovered belly.
He quickly handed over the baby to his husband and slumped down onto the floor. Something was wrong, very wrong. But when they rushed to the hospital and got an ultrasound, the source of the pain was something no one in the world would have believed.
Always Wanted Kids
Mark had always wanted kids. He wanted a pile of them running around playing, laughing, and getting into quibbles.
He dreamed of Christmas mornings and Halloween evenings. He was sure he would spoil them with love and teach them kindness and tolerance – all the things he was never given. There was just one, big problem.
Transitioning
At 21 years old, Mark began the process of transitioning from a female to a male. He undertook testosterone treatment and was told that the likelihood of him falling pregnant was very slim.
Although it was a hard pill to swallow, remaining a woman was even harder. He had no choice but to take his chances.
Relief
Mark felt an immeasurable amount of relief as he watched his body slowly change. Finally, he was beginning to feel more like himself. It was as though he could finally breathe after being trapped underwater for so long.
His internal battle was nearing an end. Little did he know, it was actually just beginning.
Dream Come True
When Mark met Jeremy, another transgender male, they instantly became best friends. But the friendship didn’t last long as they quickly fell head over heels for each other.
When Jeremy proposed, it was one of the happiest days of Mark’s life. Mark was getting everything he ever wanted and now, just one thing remained.
Other's Like Him
Mark and Jeremy had heard and experienced some of the nightmare stories about coming out or being transsexual. They were understandably scared.
Still, the deep rumble of their biological clocks eventually won. They wanted a family. If only they had known then the unbelievable event that was coming their way.
Inspirational Couples
Mark quit his hormones and they tried for months. Through it all, he worried if his body was ready or willing.
After a couple years, just when they were about to give up, the stick showed a double line. They were pregnant! It was also then that the hate started to roll in.
Not Everyone's Happy
Mark had been so excited about their announcement but he and Jeremy decided to keep it within their close circle of family and friends.
They knew that news of a pregnant man in town would do more than raise a few eyebrows. They wanted to enjoy the magical moment before gossip spread like wildfire.
Hate Mail
Mark didn’t imagine it would spread outside of his friend’s circle. But one morning, cruel messages of hate from strangers and wishes for deformed or passed offspring piled up through social media… and didn’t stop.
Every night he went to bed bawling. It was a late autumn evening when his water finally broke.
Baby Boy
They held their little boy in their arms and shed tears of joy. Everything the haters had said melted away in the sight of this perfect, pure soul.
It felt like his heart would explode. Things seemed fine, and they were eventually allowed to go back home. However, one evening, Mark was washing baby bottles when he felt a new, searing pain.
A New Pain
It was waves of agony that flowed from his back to his lower abdomen. He slid onto the floor, feeling like he was going to pass out.
Fear and confusion clouded his mind and he yelled out for help. He waited for Jeremy to come to him while he clutched his stomach. Something very strange was happening.
Getting Help
Jeremy rushed to his side, flying straight into panic mode. He asked him what was wrong but Mark couldn’t answer. He had no idea what was happening to him.
Jeremy rushed to the phone and dialed 911. They both had the same, terrifying fear – the pregnancy had done something to him.
Shocked Staff
Mark’s head was spinning all the way to the hospital. The pain peaked and he threw up all over the paramedics. By the time he was wheeled into the examination room, he was bawling.
He couldn’t even feel the ultrasound wand as it slid over his belly. The nurse’s eyes turned wide and she leaned in closer to the monitor. “It can’t be,” she muttered.
Bewildered
Jeremy asked the nurse what was wrong but the nurse refused to answer. Instead, she raced out of the room and raced back in with another doctor in tow.
The two professionals examined the screen again with bewildered looks plastered across their faces. Something was seriously wrong.
Worst Case scenarios
Mark’s mind raced with worst case scenarios. Was he dying? He couldn’t be! He had to watch his daughter grow up. His heart wrenched at the thought of missing anything.
He thought of all the wonderful moments he would never get to be a part of. He started to cry, reaching out for Jeremy’s hand. Whatever this was, he knew it was serious.
Still Pregnant
Jeremy was hitting boiling point. He walked straight up to the nurse and doctor and demanded they tell him what they saw.
The nurse turned to him and then looked at Mark, “You’re having contractions”, she said. Jeremy stood straight and gaped. “That’s impossible,” he said. “We JUST had a baby.”
Twins!
“Well,” she said, “It's time to have a couple more.” “Couple?!” they said in unison.
The nurse checked again. “Yes. You’re having twin girls.” Even if Mark wanted to argue, he was already too exhausted from the pain. He felt the gurney move and then the familiar coldness of the medical stirrups. It was time.
Baby Girls
After six hours and fifty-three minutes, two little angles arrived into the world – healthy and happy.
The dads, however, needed answers. How was any of this even possible? The doctor came in, also looking surprised. “Well, Mark, I’ve honestly never seen this before. But … it seems you’re very unique.”
Double Wombs
“You have two uteruses. It’s called double uterus or uterus didelphys.” Mark held his twins and shook his head.
TWO wombs! He had never heard of anything like this before. But how could they have not seen this before? How could they miss an entire other womb with twins!?
Unnoticed
“But we had ultrasounds. We had so many checkups!” Jeremy said. The doctor went on to explain the rarity of the condition.
Apparently there was a very simple and real explanation for the misdiagnosis. Infact, because it was so rare was one of the reasons his double pregnancy went unnoticed.
Very Rare
When the health care workers saw the baby in the “front”, there was zero need to check other places, especially behind the uterus. The couple held each other and looked at their daughters in astonishment.
“This is…” Mark felt something new, something he could barely put into words. However, one thing still bothered him.
Smaller Than Average
How come he didn’t look like he was carrying triplets? Often, women who carry triplets have enormous belly’s. But Mark’s belly didn't look particularly big.
The doctor explained to him that although all of his babies were perfectly healthy, they were also a little premature and weighed in smaller than average. Now, everything clicked.
A New Feeling
Throughout Mark’s entire life, he had always felt like he had been born into the wrong body. It wasn’t until the transition that he finally felt like he was becoming himself.
It also wasn’t until he had given birth to not only one baby but three that he felt in the midst of a real family, in the midst of his very own belonging and purpose.
Gleaming
Now, at the ripe young age of 28, Mark finally felt normal. He rocked the adorable squirming pink lumps in his arms and felt a new emotion.
His lips turned up at each corner of his mouth, his eyes sparkled. It was a feeling he never felt before and he wasn’t about to forget it anytime soon. What was it?
Something Special
It was the awe of life. Nature and the universe truly knows no bounds. And what people think is normal life will quickly show them wrong. Now, as he stared at his wonderful husband and his growing family, he felt special.
His dreams were finally coming true. This coming Christmas would be one to remember.