Discovering I Was Pregnant in the Yarn Aisle at Hobby Lobby

home insemination Kit

It was shaping up to be quite the day—just not in the way I anticipated. October 4, 2012, started with promise: it was a Friday, the kickoff to Columbus Day weekend, and my husband, Jake, had a half day off. Our plan was to grab lunch and run some errands. I had a CT scan scheduled for Tuesday morning, and earlier that week, the imaging center had called me with their usual questions:

• “How much do you weigh?”
• “Any allergies to latex or contrast solution?”
• “Do you have issues with IVs?”
• “When was your last period?”

Well, there was a hiccup with that last question. I hadn’t had a period in a couple of months, but I was certain I couldn’t be pregnant. Jake and I had battled infertility for three long years, consulting fertility specialists, trying Clomid, and going through six rounds of IUI and three rounds of IVF—nothing worked. To top it off, I’d been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2010, which led to invasive surgeries and grueling treatments. Given my erratic cycles, I’d even been told I was in perimenopause. At 41, this was hardly a surprise.

So, when I hesitated at that final question, the imaging center rep informed me I’d need a blood test at my OB’s office to rule out pregnancy. Naturally, I was annoyed—wasn’t I supposed to be enjoying a leisurely afternoon instead of taking a pregnancy test? Since my scan was set for early Tuesday, I had to ensure my blood work was expedited and faxed over by the end of the day. After the test, Jake and I managed to enjoy lunch and run our errands, but I was constantly checking my phone, coordinating with a nurse named Lisa who was handling my paperwork.

Fast forward to the afternoon, and there I was, wandering the aisles of Hobby Lobby, a store I knew little about at the time. I was searching for yarn to crochet a scarf for my mom for Christmas while Jake looked for decal paper for a model car he was assembling. When my phone rang, I felt a wave of relief—Lisa had promised to call with my results. Finally, this annoying situation was coming to an end.

“Hey, Lisa,” I said, juggling an armful of yarn.
“Helloooo, Jamie,” she replied, her tone cheerful. I chuckled, relieved we were nearing the end of this ordeal.
“Thanks for getting back to me and for all your help.”
“No problem,” she said, her voice still upbeat. “Are you sitting down?”

Those words sent a jolt through me. I could feel my heart race and my stomach twist.
“No, Lisa,” I managed to say. “I’m standing in the yarn aisle at Hobby Lobby.”
“Well… we got your results… and you’re more than five weeks pregnant!”

I was stunned. I never expected to hear those words. It felt surreal.
“There must be a mistake. Are you sure?”
“We’re sure!” she laughed.

I must have asked Lisa how this was possible several times, and bless her heart, she remained patient. Eventually, she said, “Congratulations! Go tell Jake!”
“Okay…” I replied. Still clutching my yarn, I began searching for Jake. If you’ve never been to Hobby Lobby, it’s like a maze, especially when your mind is reeling. Thankfully, Lisa stayed on the line until I found him, still deep in thought over the decal paper.

“JAKE!” I shouted, and my tone must have sent him into a panic, thinking he’d messed up. Quite the opposite. I placed my hand on his chest to connect with him as I shared the news. He blinked in disbelief, and then his eyes filled with tears as he hugged me tightly.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind. (Yes, I did buy the yarn, but it would be the last time Hobby Lobby saw my money.) Lisa managed to squeeze me in for an ultrasound at a nearby hospital, and soon we were gazing at our tiny unborn child, just a speck at that point. It turned out I was closer to six weeks along, which meant we could hear the heartbeat for the very first time.

If you had told me that morning how my day would end, I would have laughed at you. But there I was, listening to that little heartbeat, a heartbeat in a body that had once fought cancer. It was mind-blowing.

“We’re having a baby,” Jake and I kept repeating to each other, moving through the rest of that day in a fog of shock, confusion, and joy. “WE’RE having a BABY.”

If you want to learn more about home insemination options, check out this article on home insemination kits. For those curious about artificial insemination techniques, Make A Mom is a great resource. And if you’re navigating the complexities of fertility treatments, WebMD offers valuable insights.

In summary, what started as a regular day turned into an unforgettable moment in the yarn aisle of Hobby Lobby. I discovered I was pregnant, completely against all odds, and it was a day that would forever change my life.