Horses can sense when something is wrong, and when a woman named Jolene and her husband, Ricky, were celebrating the exciting news that they were going to be parents, their pet horse began acting strangely.
The last thing that Jolene imagined was that her examing doctor would want to call the police after an ultrasound was done. This is the curious case of Jolene, Ricky, their special horse, and how it sensed something unusual.
Jolene Discovers She's Pregnant
Jolene and Ricky were ecstatic when they discovered that they were pregnant because they had been trying to get pregnant for a while, and had started worrying that something was wrong.
Everyone was happy for the young couple - everyone except their horse Keola. For some bizarre reason, their horse had not taken to the pregnancy and seemed unhappy that Jolene was going to have a baby. The reason the couple knew this was because Keola had started acting strangely.
The Horse's Odd Behavior
Their horse Keola had started walking up to Jolene and had been licking and hugging her pregnant belly. This wasn't usual behavior for the horse. It wasn't the normal behavior of any horse as far as the couple was aware.
The couple, like any young married couple starting a family, were disturbed by Keola's behavior, but not so disturbed that they initially did anything about it. Mostly they tried to ignore the horse's strange hugging and licking because they didn't want to admit that something might be wrong.
She Began Experiencing Back Pain
The couple continued to ignore Keola's reactions, and in the meantime, Jolene's pregnancy was progressing well. Into her 25th week pregnant, she began experiencing severe pain in her lower back. The pain became so bad that Jolene was rushed to the hospital.
She was also unable to walk because of the pain. At the hospital, one of the doctors insisted that she undergo an ultrasound. When he saw the ultrasound image on the screen he turned to the couple and told them that he was going to have to call the police.
Young And In Love
Before all of this drama began, Ricky and Jolene were just a normal couple who had been together since they were both 16 years old. After school, they moved in together, and eventually bought a horse, and named it Keola.
They were in love and on the outside, their relationship seemed to be perfect. Of course, one doesn't always know what goes on behind closed doors, and for some reason, Jolene felt something was missing from their relationship.
Ricky Was Secretive About His Past
Despite being together for years, Jolene knew very little about her fiance's past. She would ask him questions, and he would be reluctant to answer them. She often asked him about his family, and he would always insist that he didn't have one.
Being as in love as she was Jolene felt that she could live with this aspect of Ricky's even if it bothered her. He was probably never going to change, and he insisted that it was painful to talk about, so Jolene decided to just let it go for now.
Jolene And Ricky Get Married
After being together as a couple for almost 10 years, Jolene and Ricky decided that it was about time they tied the knot. They had saved a bit of money for the ceremony, and Jolene was excited to celebrate their love with their friends and family.
As it was their ultimate special day the bride assumed that Ricky would at least invite some of his family to the wedding. To her absolute shock, Ricky didn't invite any family to the wedding, and the only friends he invited were the ones she had met during their relationship. There was no one at the wedding who had known Ricky before he turned 16 and met Jolene.
Struggles and Joy
After struggling to get pregnant, Jolene and Riky consulted a doctor. They underwent many tests and then waited nervously for the results to come back.
All tests seemed fine and eventually, Jolene fell pregnant. They were thrilled and shared their happy news with all their friends and family who were all happy for them.
Their Horse's Dangerous Behavior
Everyone in their life was happy for the couple, except for their horse Keola. Besides the fact that Keola would walk up to Jolene and start licking her belly, he also hugged Jolene aggressively a couple of times, and this was when alarm bells began ringing in the couple's minds.
Keola's behavior was not only strange, but it was also very scary. They were worried that either the horse felt threatened, or maybe the horse was sick and was trying to tell them so.
They Were Concerned About Their Horse
Concerned that there might be something wrong with their horse, the couple called in a veterinarian to do some checkups on Keola. The vet found absolutely nothing wrong with the horse, which was a relief, but also left a concern.
Jolene began to do her own research on the internet, and what she learned was that Keola's behavior could be linked to the health of her unborn baby. She realized that perhaps Keola had been trying to warn her that her baby wasn't well, and this made Jolene panic.
Getting Advice From Her Mother
Jolene began to panic about her baby, and she was terrified to tell Ricky how frightened she was. Instead of going to her husband, she decided to go to her mother for some advice.
Her mother immediately told her daughter not to be overwhelmed by what she reads on the internet. She calmly suggested that Jolene rely on her intuition rather than information on a website that could be misleading and simply make her panic for nothing.
Going for a Check Up
Now that Jolene had decided to think rationally about the whole situation, she made an appointment with a doctor for a medical check-up. Jolene was already 18 weeks pregnant, and all her previous checkups had been fine, but she was nervous about this one.
The doctor examined her, and when the results were available, he called the couple in and told them that they had nothing to worry about. According to the doctor, everything was fine. For a while, Jolene and Ricky laid their concerns to rest.
Returning To The Hospital
Jolene and Ricky had been told to return to the hospital for another check-up when she was 25 weeks pregnant. At 23 weeks pregnant, two weeks before they were scheduled for their next ultrasound and check-up, Jolene began experiencing serious back pain.
Ricky called an ambulance, and because emergency vehicles can push through traffic, one arrived quickly, and Jolene was rushed off to the hospital without Ricky. Jolene would have to go to the emergency room without her husband.
Her Ultrasound Alerted The Police
Once Jolene arrived at the hospital with the ambulance, she was immediately rushed to a doctor on call who set up an ultrasound machine. This time the ultrasound caused the doctor's face to crumple with concern.
The doctor told a panicked Jolene that he was going to have to call the police. By this time Ricky had also arrived and the young couple was feeling traumatized and scared. They couldn't understand why no one was willing to tell them what was going on, and if their baby was in fact okay.
Ricky Was Taken in for Questioning
The police arrived very soon after that, and they immediately wanted to take Ricky away for questioning. They told Ricky they had questions for him regarding his wife. At the hospital, they started with normal questions about the couple's life, but then the questions became strange.
They began asking Ricky about the couple's movements in the last few weeks, and also intimate questions about Jolene's pregnancy. Ricky became angry with the police and demanded that they leave him alone. He would regret this when they took him to the police station for further questioning.
They Both Started Panicking
When Ricky was taken to the police station, he started panicking about leaving his wife alone at the hospital. The police promised they would tell Ricky everything once they got to the station.
At this point, Jolene didn't know anything either, and she was also panicking as they took her husband away. She was also worried about her baby, and what the doctor had told her.
She Would Have to Have Surgery
After Ricky had been taken away by the police for questioning, Jolene was informed by a doctor that she would have to undergo surgery. The doctor had also been instructed by the police not to say anything as to why. All he was allowed to say was that it was necessary for her baby.
She was however given the option of not having the surgery. Jolene didn't take long to mull the decision over in her mind, and because her baby's welfare was at stake she chose to undergo surgery.
Ricky Was Taken to an Interrogation Room
Initially, the police asked very simple questions at the station, but eventually, he was taken to an interrogation room where Ricky became frustrated and angry. So far the police hadn't told him anything, and they needed to start explaining themselves.
From behind a mirrored window, Ricky was shown a line-up of five men, and he was asked if he recognized any of the men. He did! One of the men in the line-up was his and Jolene's very own doctor. Ricky was stunned.
The Doctor and the Microchip
The police finally told Ricky the truth. Their doctor had implanted a microchip inside Jolene's body. The chip was meant to regulate her medication, but these chips were not legal yet, and therefore their doctor was in a lot of trouble.
Ricky was relieved to finally understand what was going on. The medicines had also been registered in Ricky's name and that was the reason the police had taken him in for questioning. Now all Ricky had to do was get back to his wife.
He Was Reunited With Jolene
After the interrogation, and the revelation about Jolene's pregnancy, the police drove Ricky back to the hospital to be with his wife. When he arrived at the hospital Ricky couldn't find Jolene at first, and this made him panic even more.
His wife's doctor found Ricky making a scene in the corridors, and had to force him to calm down because he was upsetting the other patients in the hospital. He told Ricky he knew all about the chip, and immediately took him to where Jolene was waiting for him.
So What Did The Horse Warn Them about?
It's evident that the horse didn't warn them about the chip because it knew it was illegal, right? If that were the case, I think horses would be lawyers.
The horse actually "felt" the Inflammation that the chip was causing in her body. If went untouched, the Inflammation could spread to the fetus and cause some bad news. So good for us that this horse was around.
Everything Was Going to Be Fine
Finally, Ricky and Jolene were reunited, and the doctor informed them that everything was going to be fine. The only thing left to do was for Jolene to go through with the surgery.
The surgery was needed to remove the chip, and the reason for Jolene's incredible back pain was attributed to the microchip in her body. As soon as it was removed she would be safe to return home and wait out the remainder of her pregnancy.
Jolene Was Finally Sent Home
After the successful surgery, Jolene was finally allowed to go home. They both knew why everything had happened, and were both just so relieved to no longer be in the dark about their unborn baby.
Jolene would spend a further 17 weeks pregnant, but this time everything went smoothly. They no longer had to panic about their baby's health, the behavior of their horse, or the police investigating them. They were going to be fine.
Their Baby Was Born
After 40 weeks of being pregnant, Jolene finally gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The couple named her Giulia. These young parents were certainly going to have a very unique story to tell their daughter when she was old enough to hear it.
Ricky and Jolene had been through so much, and it was just a relief to finally have their daughter in their arms safe and sound. This isn't a story that they would ever forget, but they were probably relieved to have moved past it.
Learning to Listen to Their Horse
After everything, Ricky and Jolene owed absolutely everything to their horse Keola. If it hadn't been for their horse's strange behavior they would have had no idea there might be something wrong until it was too late.
Guilia owed her life to Keola, and Ricky and Jolene would forever be grateful to the horse for communicating with its owners in the only way it could. This is a reminder always to remember that animals have their own language too, and can sometimes sense what we cannot.
Dogs can also sniff out life-threatening diseases that their owners have. It's all on the next page.
This Husky Sniffed His Owner and Saved Her Life...Three Times
They say that a dog is a man’s best friend. While this may be true, a dog can also be a woman’s lifesaver. It's easy to picture a dog waiting at the door with a wagging tail after a long day at work, and running enthusiastically to catch a ball, but we don’t expect a dog to sniff out ovarian cancer.
Yet that’s exactly what happened to one woman from Wisconsin. Her gorgeous husky dog named Sierra alerted her of troubles before they could even be picked up by a scan. The loyal and sensitive pooch saved its owner’s life not once, but three times.
The First Symptoms of Cancer
Can you remember what you were doing in the year 2013? Stephanie Herfel was in the process of moving from sunny California to the upper-midwestern state of Wisconsin. Not long after settling into her new home, Stephanie noticed that she started to gain a lot of weight.
Nothing had changed in her diet or exercise routine, so Stephanie was surprised when she stepped on the scale and discovered that had put on 60 pounds. Not long after, she started to experience uncomfortable pain in her abdomen. Sometimes, it was so severe that she folded herself in half. It was time to visit the emergency room.
The First Diagnosis Was Dubious
When the pain became unbearable, Stephanie decided that it was time to get a professional opinion. However, the diagnosis was slightly unexpected. Speaking to the media, 53-year-old Stephanie says, “It was so bad that my yoga pants even hurt. They told me I had an ovarian cyst.”
Assuring Stephanie that the cyst was benign, the doctor prescribed her pain medication and sent her on her way. Admittedly, the medication helped and Stephanie started to feel much better. However, the cyst wasn’t benign, and Stephanie was in more danger than she realized.
Unusual Husky Behavior Was A Red Flag
Relieved that she didn’t have anything to worry about, Stephanie continued to live her life per usual. A few months after her diagnosis, she booked a vacation and took some time off. However, when she returned home, she noticed that her husky, Sierra, was behaving strangely.
Stephanie explains, “Sierra put her nose on my belly and pushed very intently and I just thought she missed me. On the third time, I called her on it.” Sierra’s unusual behavior only got more weird as the hours rolled by.
Sierra Made Stephanie Search For Answers
At first, Stephanie thought that Sierra simply missed her while she was away on vacation. However, her incessant nudging was just the prelude to even stranger behavior. Sierra disappeared and hid away from her owner. It took Stephanie a whole hour before she finally found her pooch curled up in a ball with her tail peeking out. Something was wrong.
Stephanie shares, “They say dogs don’t cry, but I don’t know if it was fear or what, but the fur all around her eyes was just soaking wet and she had the biggest eyebrow cringe I’ve ever seen.” Certain that her dog was trying to tell her something, Stephanie decided to get a second opinion about her cyst.
The Second Opinion Wasn’t A Positive One
Dogs have a special way of communicating with humans, and the bond that Stephanie shared with Sierra was unique. She knew that her beloved pooch was trying to tell her something and she chose to trust her instinct.
Without delay, Stephanie scheduled an appointment with a gynecologist to get a second opinion about the cyst. A month later, she received the heartbreaking news that she had stage 3 ovarian cancer. Dubbed the “silent killer”, ovarian cancer doesn’t usually have symptoms. If it does, it mimics other illnesses. Sierra had discovered what many doctors couldn't.
Had Sierra Saved Her Life?
If Sierra hadn’t nudged Stephanie with such vigor, then she may not have gotten a second opinion about her cyst. In turn, Stephanie was able to get an accurate diagnosis and begin proper treatment.
At first, Stephanie was concerned that her doctor may laugh at her theory. However, after telling her oncologist about Sierra's behavior, he did some further research on the possibility. Stephanie shares, “I was strangely impressed with him, he was very engaging. He said, ‘You know I looked into this ... it's not breed-specific, but if dogs can pick up the sense, they are 98% accurate.’” As it turns out, there are studies to support Stephanie’s belief in Sierra’s sniffing skills.
Studies Support Stephanie’s Theory
After doing some digging, it was revealed that some dogs are able to detect cancer through their keen sense of smell. The Experimental Biology journal determined that a dog's sense of smell is 10,000 times more accurate than a human's.
When put to the test, dogs were able to sniff out blood samples in cancer patients with an accuracy score of approximately 97%. Thanks to Sierra’s superb sense of smell, Stephanie was able to get proper treatment. But the battle wasn’t over yet.
A Cancerous Cycle Begins
Luckily, Stephanie’s cancer had not spread. While it was certainly dangerous, it was still contained and could easily be removed. Stephanie underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove the tumor. After stitching her back up, doctors told her that she was good to go. Little did everyone know that she would soon be back.
A short 18 months after her operation, Stephanie went away for the Fourth of July weekend. She was barely two days into her trip when Sierra started acting strange once again. When her lovable companion hid away for a second time, Stephanie knew that something was wrong yet again.
Sierra Went From Sweet Pet To Life Saver
Sierra’s strange behavior didn’t go unnoticed. While Stephanie found her dog's actions eerily familiar, others on the vacation shrugged it off. Stephanie shares, “Everyone I was there with just said, ‘You know it’s probably a new place.’ But I knew it my gut it was not nothing.” And she was correct.
After returning from the weekend, Stephanie booked a CT scan. As she suspected, the cancer was back. Only this time, it had spread to her liver. Sierra had saved the day once again. Stephanie shares, “She just changed from this really sweet pet to one that is a life-saving member of the family that is a little like a human.” But the battle was not over yet...
A Third Time Lucky
Cancer in Stephanie’s liver was treated before it spread and became a fatal, uncontrollable disease. For the 33 months that followed, Stephanie was in the clear and lived a happy, normal life with her pooch. However, out of the blue, Sierra gave Stephanie the usual warning signs. Without a moment of doubt, Stephanie booked a scan and it was confirmed that her ovarian cancer was back - at stage 3 again. Keeping her spirits high, Stephanie shares, “I said, ‘Hey you know I have my own pet scan at home.' You’ve got to be humorous and laugh.”
Stephanie’s oncologist, Dr. David Kushner, agrees that Sierra was on to something and says, "I didn't think she was crazy at all. I said, 'Probably your dog was picking up that you weren't feeling okay.’”
Radiation Therapy Was A Success
Thanks to Sierra, Stephanie could receive timeous treatment. The three-time cancer patient underwent radiation, following it up with chemotherapy in the fall. Between the treatment, Stephanie made the most of her life, taking two vacations with her husband who she met while in remission. The couple had been married for two years, and he was committed to supporting her during her treatment.
During radiation treatment, Sierra continued to act strangely. There were no shared kisses between the dog and owner. Instead, Sierra would hide away, fearful of the hovering threat of cancer.
Back to the Cuddles
Once the radiation treatment was complete, Stephanie started with chemotherapy. Almost as though a switch had been flipped, Sierra started to show her owner love once again. Stephanie believed that her dog’s cuddles were a sign that the treatment was working.
She says, “It is chillingly wonderful ... I’m like, ‘OK it’s working.' She was that accurate over the course of this journey.” Needless to say, Stephanie’s battle against cancer became all the more bearable with her trusty dog at her side.
An On-Again Off-Again Relationship With Cancer
As with most cancer patients, Stephanie was fighting a constant battle against ovarian cancer. For six years, she received treatment for stage 3 metastatic and recurrent cancer. Stephanie believes that Sierra has allowed her to live longer by alerting her every time cancer returned.
Stephanie says, “I just feel honored to be her spokesperson because I really believe she’s the star. She’s given me an opportunity at longevity." As a proud pup-owner, Stephanie adds, “I believe she saved my life, and she continues to do so. I’m very grateful to her … Sierra is a gift. [Without her], I don’t think I’d be here having this conversation.”
Raising Awareness About Ovarian Cancer
As the silent killer, ovarian cancer affects about 21,000 women in the United States each year, of which roughly 14,000 die from the disease. Thanks to Sierra and her loving communication with her owner, Stephanie has managed to survive ovarian cancer multiple times.
Adopting a positive attitude, Stephanie is committed to living a joyful life, despite the disease. She says, “I understand that this [cancer] is really bad, but I am going to use all the means I can to make my life joyful.” What a heartwarming story!
You've seen how animals can sense danger and know how to inform us. Next, see how technology can help pregnant women too.
Woman's Fitbit Knew She Needed to Go to the Doctor Before She Even Realized
The advancements in medical and technological research have put a spotlight on the importance of health and safety. This has manifested in the likes of new diets, healthy eating, and an obsession with tracking fitness.
There are several brands of fitness trackers that serve this very purpose - keeping track of an individual’s fitness journey. However, after one woman discovered her heart rate rising considerably higher than normal, she realized that fitness trackers can do so much more than just help you keep track of your steps.
Meet David and Ivonne
The story begins with a Reddit user named David who uses the pseudonym "YoungPToneCharge" when engaging on the platform. David is married to Ivonne, and they were madly in love.
The couple lived in New York City and were considering the idea of expanding their family. But that wasn’t their sole focus. They also prioritized staying fit and had a nifty little gadget to help them do so. But when Ivonne’s Fitbit data started acting suspiciously, they discovered something fascinating.
The Couple Had Big Plans for Their Future
So just how serious was the young couple about growing their family from two to three? David shared that he and his wife had started trying to have a baby a few months ago, but she hadn’t fallen pregnant as of yet.
Statistics reveal that 84 out of 100 couples will fall pregnant within a year of trying, on the condition that they regularly have sex and don’t use contraception. So, while the pair was doing what needed to be done to fall pregnant, they weren’t keeping a close eye on the results.
Was the Time Right?
Although they were trying for a baby, neither of them was paying too much attention to how their planning was transpiring into reality. They had a lot of other things going on and were far from obsessive about their family planning.
Everyday chores, such as washing dishes, doing laundry, and working a 9-5 took up the majority of their time. This left little in the way for monitoring ovulation and taking arbitrary “lunchtime breaks". When the new year rolled around, the pair decided to remove all distractions and align their sights on a few New Year’s resolutions, one of which was growing their family. But that's not all.
Their New Year’s Resolutions
Although the start of 2020 wasn’t too long ago, chances are that your New Year resolutions have taken a backseat. Most people start the first week of the year with a revitalized interest in fitness, a budgeting plan, and the intention to end a bad smoking habit. But these positive changes seldom last longer than a month.
David and Ivonne’s New Year’s resolutions weren’t too far off from the norm. They decided that they wanted to dedicate their year to getting in better physical shape. To help them stay on track, they decided to get a little bit of help.
The Gadget That Would Help Them Keep Their Goals
David and Ivonne were determined to stay on track with their fitness goals. David, in particular, had plans to reach certain fitness targets. To help him achieve these aspirations, he added a very special item to his Christmas wish list - a new Fitbit.
The Fitbit activity tracker is worn on the wrist and monitors the user’s heart rate during a workout. The data is then recorded and can be analyzed, shared, and documented afterward. This adds fun gamification to aspiring health junkies and helps track the training of professional athletes.
The Couple Are Mutual Fans of the Fitbit
David’s Christmas wish came true when he opened his stocking and found a brand-spanking-new Fitbit device. His hope that it would inspire his fitness journey came true. And that’s when Ivonne decided that she also wanted one.
Soon after David’s Fitbit started working wonders, Ivonne asked for one too. Excited that his wife was looking to join him in his new healthy lifestyle, David bought his wife a gadget of her own. Not long after using her Fitbit, Ivonne’s heart rate started acting up.
The Reason That They Were Suspicious
Have you ever tracked a workout and watched your heart rate shoot sky-high? Most times when this happens it’s because you’re particularly out of shape, getting ill, or in uncomfortable circumstances such as a heated environment.
However, David and Ivonne were both in exceptionally good shape - even before they set new goals. They used to work out regularly, and their heart rates always appeared normal. Until one day, Ivonne's fitness tracker revealed abnormal results. The pair started running through various options of what could have caused the issue.
Perhaps Something Wrong With the Device?
Rather than panic when the data depicting Ivonne’s heart rate started appearing strange, the couple decided to look at the situation logically. At first, they assumed that something was wrong with the device which led to irregular readings of Ivonne’s heart rate.
The average fitness tracker has a life span of a few years, but it’s not unusual for the watches to become defective before their expected time is up. Could this be what was causing Ivonne’s watch to show such strange results?
When the Couple Needed Answers, They Turned to an Unexpected Source
When Ivonne’s heart rate started appearing abnormal, the pair grew to be slightly concerned. At first, it only seemed "off" on the one day, but when the irregularities began to repeat themselves, David had an idea on how to get answers.
With his interest piqued, David turned to a Reddit forum, hoping that one of the other users on the platform would be able to either provide some context for his wife’s unusual heartbeats - or add insight as to whether or not the device was broken.
What Exactly Is Reddit and a Subreddit?
How did Reddit come to play such a valuable role in David and Ivonne’s life? And what exactly is Reddit? As an American social discussion website, the platform relies on web content ratings from users to aggregate the content through upvotes.
If you’re looking for something specific, then you navigate to a subreddit that includes niche content. The specific online community discusses more focused content, with many experts offering their knowledge on specific topics. One day, David discovered Reddit. Little did he know the impact it would have on his life.
The Lucky Moment When David First Discovered Reddit
After David got his Fitbit, his fascination with the technology led him to the discovery of Reddit and the wealth of knowledge that is offered. Realizing that there was an active community posting discussions about their experiences with the product, David signed up with the username YoungPToneCharge.
The young man started posting more frequently on Reddit, especially when he realized how knowledgeable and nice the people on the platform were. In David’s own words, “People were cool [in there]”. And, as it turns out, also very knowledgeable.
Opening up to the Group Led to Answers
When Ivonne’s Fitbit showed her heart rate as abnormal, David decided to try his luck on Reddit. Logging on as "YoungPToneCharge", he explained the situation to the group. Opening up to the online community, David explained that her heart rate was being displayed much higher than it should have been.
Ivonne’s device was recording her resting heart rate at 110 beats a minute. The couple believed that this was incorrect data and was looking to the /r/Fitbit sub to confirm their thoughts.
The Concerns Were Not Only About the Device
When you purchase a gadget like a Fitbit, it’s an investment of some sort. The devices don’t come cheap and you anticipate that the technology will serve you for a fair amount of time. At least, that’s what David and Ivonne thought. But their concerns extended beyond the device’s seemingly failed guarantee.
David was also worried about his wife’s wellbeing. Science tells us that an adult’s resting heart rate should sit between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Ivonne’s heart rate of 110 beats per minute was outside of the comfortable threshold.
David’s Message to the Group Was Direct and the Point
Opening up his browser, David typed the following message (the grammar has been corrected for the ease of reading). “My wife’s Fitbit is showing her heartbeat being consistently high over the last few days. Two days ago, a somewhat normal day, she logged 10 hours in the fat-burning zone, which I would think to be impossible based on her activity level. Also, her calories burned do seem accurate. I would imagine if she was in the fat-burning zone she would burn a ton of calories, so it's not lining up.
I'm not sure if something is wrong with the sensor, is there a way to reset or recalibrate the device? I’d like to try that before I contact customer service about a possible replacement."
The First Suggestion Was a Good One - but Not the Right One
David made the right choice posting on Reddit. His message gained traction and it wasn’t long before people were commenting, adding their two cents and tidbits of knowledge. At first, the pair thought that the device was defective, but the Reddit group gave him other ideas.
One particular user had a rather insightful response and made the young couple consider alternatives to a faulty device. The user asked if Ivonne had perhaps been stressed lately - as that could add to the heightened heart rate.
Stress Wasn’t the Only Suggestion
In and amongst the pieces of advice, there was a random suggestion that neither of them had considered. In addition to asking if Ivonne was stressed, they also asked if she could be pregnant.
The user named "ThatwasunpleasantCharge" had the following to say, “Has she experienced anything stressful in the last few days, or is it a possibility she is pregnant?”. Up until this point, the thought had never crossed their minds. But now that the seed had been planted, the idea started to grow.
The First Possibility Was Ruled Out
The Reddit group had given the couple a lot of different options to think about. Up until this point, they had only considered that the device had been broken and that’s why Ivonne’s heart rate was reading as abnormal.
Going through the new options, the pair first considered the suggestion of stress. They had been trying to have a baby and this could have subconsciously added an element of stress. But they quickly ruled out the possibility as their family planning wasn’t an obvious stressor.
It Was Time to Consider Option Two
Next, the couple considered the option of Ivonne being pregnant. They had been trying for a baby, but Ivonne had shown no symptoms. Other than the deviating heart rate, she felt completely fine.
When the suggestion was first made, David described feeling shocked. Could Fitbit’s strange data be the result of his wife being pregnant? In his own words, he shared, “I never even knew that was a legitimate symptom”. Could Ivonne’s heart rate truly be a sign of her being pregnant?
The More Obscure Signs of Pregnancy
The movies paint a rather vivid picture of what pregnancy is like. Mornings spent hugging the toilet, craving strange snacks like cheese puffs, and breaking out in acne are all widely advertised symptoms of pregnancy. However, there are plenty of other symptoms that are less spoken of.
After they did some research and looked deeper into the various symptoms of pregnancy, the couple realized that a raised heart rate could be an early sign of a bun in the oven. In addition, the strange heartbeat goes hand in hand with increased body temperature.
Ivonne’s Situation Was Touch-And-Go
With a newly discovered wealth of information about the various causes of an increased heart rate, as well as the more unexplored symptoms of pregnancy, the couple had a lot to think about. At first, they thought that Ivonne’s fitness device was broken, but now they weren’t so sure.
At the back of their minds, the couple knew that pregnancy was an option, but they were still worried that Ivonne might be ill. They decided to seek professional advice outside of the Reddit forum and settle their uncertainty once and for all.
The Doctor Ruled out Any Major Health Concerns
Going to see the doctor was the next best decision that the couple could have made. Choosing to take matters into their own hands, the pair called up their local doctor and made an appointment.
Sitting at the doctor’s desk, the pair breathed a sigh of relief when the medical professional uttered the words that they had been holding their breath to hear - Ivonne was not ill. But if she wasn’t suffering from an illness that caused her heart to flutter, then what was it?
The Options Kept Decreasing
Although they were relieved that Ivonne was not sick, they still didn’t know why her resting heart rate was abnormal. Luckily, they were sitting opposite someone who could help them figure it out.
The couple was about to find out whether or not Ivonne was pregnant. Dr. Mary Jane Minkin of Yale-New Haven Hospital shares that heart rates can jump significantly higher during pregnancy. However, this jump doesn’t normally happen until much later on. Considering that Ivonne’s stomach was as flat as a pancake - this wasn’t possible. Or was it?
Anticipation Was High While Running Tests
Now that they had ruled out illness as an option, they could comfortably consider the possibility of pregnancy. The couple held hands - and their breaths - while the doctor ran more tests. When the results of the pregnancy test were revealed, they couldn’t contain their excitement. Ivonne was pregnant!
Ivonne’s results came back positive for being pregnant and the couple was ecstatic. David shared, “We were both very surprised, very happy.” But how did it take so long for them to figure out that Ivonne was pregnant?
The Doctor Filled in the Gaps
The mystery of the increased heart rate had been solved, but the positive test result didn’t give the couple any context for how the two were correlated. The doctor explained that Ivonne was most likely experiencing a symptom of early pregnancy - increased body temperature. When this happens, it can also elevate the heart rate.
Dr. Minkin shares, "My hunch, if I had to bet why her [heart rate] was up, it was that her temperature was up." The fact that it’s more common for people to check their heart rate than their temperature explains why this symptom was noticed first.
David Took It Back To Where It Started
The parents-to-be were over the moon about their upcoming bundle of joy. Although the pregnancy was still in the beginning stages, they wanted to share the positive news in the FitBit Reddit group. After all, that’s where the idea of a possible pregnancy first popped into their minds.
The couple was showered with positive messages from their online community. But as much as they wanted to share their excitement about welcoming their new addition to the family, there’s another reason that David wanted to share his story on the public platform.
A Different Sort of Online Resource
If David hadn’t opened up to the Reddit community about his wife’s irregular heartbeat, then they would never have found out about the pregnancy as early as they did. In a way, the forum had served as an online source of knowledge. And just like happiness, knowledge is best shared.
The other reason that David shared their experience online is that he wanted to give other people a chance to find out their exciting news in the same way that he did!
Only One Month Pregnant
David and Ivonne’s story is quite special. Who would have guessed that an online discussion site and a seemingly defective fitness tracker would lead to such an exciting discovery? Both parents-to-be agree that it will be an amazing story to tell their baby one day.
In David’s own words, "It's a great story to tell [the baby] one day about how it happened, and [we are] happy to have all the support of people on Reddit." The couple had found knowledge and support in the most unlikely place.
The Accuracy of the Fitbit Had a Big Role to Play
Although the Reddit community played a significant role in discovering that Ivonne is pregnant, the Fitbit played an even bigger role. The couple is so thankful for the early indication of something being amiss. It seems that fitness trackers are useful for more than one function!
Dr. Minking adds that she believes that fitness trackers can be very beneficial for pregnant women. Why? Because it encourages soon-to-be moms to stay active and healthy throughout their pregnancy. She shares, "If the Fitbit encourages them to get exercise, anything that gets them moving is a good thing."
They Shared Their Story - But Were Selective
The couple couldn’t contain their excitement. After sharing the news with their Reddit community, their story made the front page of the subreddit. Buzzfeed caught a whiff of the feel-good story and the couple obliged to an interview. But they didn’t use their full names. Ivonne was only one-month pregnant and they were waiting for the first trimester to be complete before telling family and friends.
There are plenty of other fantastic fitness trackers on the market. And if David and Ivonne’s story is any indication about how much value they can add, then it’s a good idea to start saving for one yourself!