Erin & Chad 7: Reckless Behavior in a Pandemic Has Consequences

[Dbm]

6 minutes ago, anjulibai said:

They went to a fertility specialist? Hmm, so much for leaving it up to god. 

when it comes to them and what they want they always forget what they preach about.

[llucie]

40 minutes ago, VBOY9977 said:

Erin made a video about the pregnancy. Someone take one for the team and watch it pls

https://youtu.be/MC_pheyvVvI

Chad says this past year has been very dificult for them and to the whole country because of the pandemic. Erin had a crazy year healthwise (they dont say she had Covid, but it is implied).

 She says she had 3 diferent surgeries because of cysts that would rupture and would cause internal bleeding. In the first surgery they removed just blood, but in the second one they needed to remove one of her ovaries they thought was causing the problem. With the last surgery they didnt know what to do, they considered a full hysterectomy, but in the end the doctor decided to keep a little part of the other ovary to help with her hormones.

After that last surgery that was in january she was experiencing a lot of hormone imbalance, so they went to see a fertility specialist. Erin says that although he is a fertility specialist they werent seeing him for fertility reasons, it was just to try to get all the tests done to figure out where her body imbalance was. The doctor told Erin the imbalance was due to the fact she was about to go into early menopause.

Erin says that althought it felt a little selfish to her because they already have 4 kids she prayed to God to please just give them one more baby. She thought knowing its going to be her last pregnancy she would cherish it more. She never felt like this with her other pregnancies because she always assumed they would have a big family. 

Chad says that when he knew she was pregnant he got really scared because all the complications she had the past year and just wondering how that is going to affect this pregnancy and her, because to him she is his outmost priority and so he is really nervous about this pregnancy. 

They told the kids they wouldnt be having anymore babies so they wouldnt keep asking about it. They told them that maybe they would adopt but that she couldnt have anymore according to the doctors. She says Carson came to her and told her that he was praying for a baby and an angel told him that she was pregnant (they put Carson on camera to tell this part). Erin told him it was not possible. 3 weeks latter she randomly took a pregnancy test and it was positive. 

She is in her second trimester now.Chad ask people to pray for the pregnancy, that they want the baby and the mother to be healthy and he mentions again that he is very nervous about it.

[Melissa1977]

So Bradley prayed for a baby brother and God gave him one. Carson prayed and God did a bigger miracle. But Michaela prayed and prayed and nothing happened. 

I hope Erin's pregnancy goes well and that no more miracles happen after this one. But their belief system is ridiculous and rotten. 

[SassyPants]

So if it’s ok for the Paine’s, the parents to 4 kids 6 and under, to seek fertility treatments, it should be A-OK for the childless Brandon and M to seek fertility treatments too, right? I truly wonder if Brandon really prefers their current life/lifestyle.   

[Bluebirdbluebell]

17 minutes ago, Melissa1977 said:

So Bradley prayed for a baby brother and God gave him one. Carson prayed and God did a bigger miracle. But Michaela prayed and prayed and nothing happened. 

I hope Erin's pregnancy goes well and that no more miracles happen after this one. But their belief system is ridiculous and rotten. 

I know Catholics talk like this. Most versions of Christianity are susceptible to magic thinking, power of prayer, God must particularly favor us, etc. I know Mormons, Pentacostals, and the IFB crowd all seem to have some version of the prosperity gospel and prosperity is also fertility, good health, etc.

I never thought Michael and Erin were equal. Even if Erin wasn't pregnant, she still has four kids. Most people would be happy enough with that. 

27 minutes ago, llucie said:

Erin says that althought it felt a little selfish to her because they already have 4 kids she prayed to God to please just give them one more baby. She thought knowing its going to be her last pregnancy she would cherish it more. She never felt like this with her other pregnancies because she always assumed they would have a big family. 

I know what she's getting at, but that line makes me feel sorry for the older kids particularly the girls. Bradley was their first born son and the first successful pregnancy. 

Edited August 24, 2021 by Bluebirdbluebell

[ven]

Well , sometimes even heavy and invasive longtime  fertility treatment doesnt work out ... , and its easier to not communicate to anyone about it as not to get improper questions all the time about it. Maybe thats what michael decided to do. So " we are not persuing any treatments" is a valid choice concerning nosiness about a couple having no kids or a very small family in my book. Other oke answers would be , i never wanted kids, im to old, im want a career first etc ....

Edited August 24, 2021 by ven
Meh

[BadMurphy]

Did she actually have a fertility treatment or did she just see the fertility specialist who said she was in pre-menopause and then she dropped an egg anyway?

[Dbm]

Just now, BadMurphy said:

Did she actually have a fertility treatment or did she just see the fertility specialist who said she was in pre-menopause and then she dropped an egg anyway?

she did not mention any treatments 

[rebeccawriter01]

1 minute ago, SassyPants said:

So if it’s ok for the Paine’s, the parents to 4 kids 6 and under, to seek fertility treatments, it should be A-OK for the childless Brandon and M to seek fertility treatments too, right? I truly wonder if Brandon really prefers their current life/lifestyle.   

I don't know that I believe Erin's words that they didn't seek fertility treatment. Having had a hysterectomy with the removal of one ovary, I have had to seek out doctors for hormonal issues. Even through all of my doctors I cycled through to find relief from some debilitating symptoms, a fertility specialist was not one of them. And I say that as a person who was even sent to a neurologist about a tumor on my pituitary gland. 

Michaela has said she prefers to keep their fertility issues quiet and regrets what she has shared on the show. It is possible they have sought more testing and treatment. It is possible they haven't. That is up to them as a couple. 

2 minutes ago, Bluebirdbluebell said:

I know Catholics talk like this. Most versions of Christianity are susceptible to magic thinking, power of prayer, God must particularly favor us, etc. I know Mormons, Pentacostals, and the IFB crowd all seem to have some version of the prosperity gospel and prosperity it's also fertility, good health, etc.

I never thought Michael and Erin were equal. Even if Erin wasn't pregnant, she still has four kids. Most people would be happy enough with that. 

I know what she's getting it, but that line makes me feel sorry for the older kids particularly the girls. Bradley was their first born son and the first successful pregnancy. 

I absolutely detest this line of thinking from fundies and others that if they pray hard enough then things will happen. There is an unspoken part to that which says Michaela's not praying hard enough. That is so hurtful to people who then question their own faith because God didn't "answer" their prayers. That's not to say I'm not spiritual. I just hate this concocted idea that some of us have more influence over an all powerful being than others. 

And yes, I agree. Those girls are likely to feel very slighted and insecure as they grow up given how Erin can behave toward them. 

[BensAllergies]

I forget; do we know the cause of Brandon’s and Michael’s infertility? If it’s a male-related problem, then the only recourse may be through donor sperm. This would likely be prohibited by their religious beliefs.
 

A non-fundamental Mormon family I know adopted their three kids because the husband was infertile and their faith prohibits using donor sperm.

Congrats to Erin…I hope she’s vaccinated.

[CanadianMamam]

16 minutes ago, BadMurphy said:

Did she actually have a fertility treatment or did she just see the fertility specialist who said she was in pre-menopause and then she dropped an egg anyway?

According to Erin she went to the fertility specialist to control her horomonee after her surgery and the specialist told her she was premenopausal. It did not sound like they did fertility treatments. 

[Dandruff]

Did she say she was pregnant with one?  If (big if) she was getting fertility treatments then I'd wonder.

[Bazinga]

So they are saying this is their last pregnancy? I don't believe that for one second. The Lord will miraculously bless them again in a few years and they will fein complete surprise. They want a big family, they will keep going (or at least never prevent). 

[theotherelise]

Hormonal birth control is usually the treatment for recurring cysts and rupturing cysts. 

[purple_summer]

This just strikes me as a case of not letting good enough be good enough 

[Jackie3]

26 minutes ago, CanadianMamam said:

According to Erin she went to the fertility specialist to control her horomonee after her surgery and the specialist told her she was premenopausal. It did not sound like they did fertility treatments. 

Why would she go to a fertility specialist to "control her hormones"? It makes no sense. In my area, fertility specialists focus on getting women pregnant. Gynecologist and endrocrinologists focus on "controlling hormones. You go to fertility specialists to get pregnant, that's what they do.

Quote

Endocrinology is the field of hormone-related diseases. An endocrinologist can diagnose and treat hormone problems and the complications that arise from them. Hormones regulate metabolism, respiration, growth, reproduction, sensory perception, and movement.

 

1 hour ago, Melissa1977 said:

So Bradley prayed for a baby brother and God gave him one. Carson prayed and God did a bigger miracle. But Michaela prayed and prayed and nothing happened. 

I hope Erin's pregnancy goes well and that no more miracles happen after this one. But their belief system is ridiculous and rotten. 

Oh, please. Carson lives in a tiny bedroom three little sisters.  I'm sure the two littlest wake often at night for feedings, nightmares, etc. Most importantly, Holland. is still a baby. Why would a six-year old boy, with a baby in the home, be craving for another baby? Does that sound likely?

No, Carson is simply parroting what Erin has said. Or he knows a baby would make his parents happy. Or he heard about Bradley's wish and he is copying him. But I highly doubt that he goes to sleep yearning for another baby to take even more of his parents' attention.

 

[QuiverFullofBooks]

3 minutes ago, Jackie3 said:

Why would she go to a fertility specialist to "control her hormones"? It makes no sense. In my area, fertility specialists focus on getting women pregnant. Gynecologist and endrocrinologists focus on "controlling hormones. You go to fertility specialists to get pregnant, that's what they do.

I actually had some trouble finding a fertility doctor covered by my insurance because I didn’t realize that they’re called “reproductive endocrinologists.” I think it’s very likely that the same doctor would help someone whose hormones were wacky from having ovaries removed and someone suffering from infertility. (At least if they had a somewhat general practice.) Is this the last baby because she’s inevitably going into menopause, or are they just going “oh my goodness what are the odds?” again? I don’t think Chad would be on board with fertility treatments. They have plenty of kids, not a lot of money, and his family might not approve.

[CanadianMamam]

I can't imagine Chad would pay for a fertility doctor. However if Erin is legitimately about to go into menopause then she might be hyper fertile, in that stage where her body dumps all her eggs. I can also see Erin. Saying "fertility specialist" instead of endocrinologist.

31 minutes ago, Jackie3 said:

Why would she go to a fertility specialist to "control her hormones"? It makes no sense. In my area, fertility specialists focus on getting women pregnant. Gynecologist and endrocrinologists focus on "controlling hormones. You go to fertility specialists to get pregnant, that's what they do.

 

Oh, please. Carson lives in a tiny bedroom three little sisters.  I'm sure the two littlest wake often at night for feedings, nightmares, etc. Most importantly, Holland. is still a baby. Why would a six-year old boy, with a baby in the home, be craving for another baby? Does that sound likely?

No, Carson is simply parroting what Erin has said. Or he knows a baby would make his parents happy. Or he heard about Bradley's wish and he is copying him. But I highly doubt that he goes to sleep yearning for another baby to take even more of his parents' attention.

 

Carson specifically asked for a little brother. He has 3 sisters, I would 💯 buy that he wants a brother with all those sisters. 

[Jackie3]

15 minutes ago, CanadianMamam said:

I can't imagine Chad would pay for a fertility doctor. However if Erin is legitimately about to go into menopause then she might be hyper fertile, in that stage where her body dumps all her eggs. I can also see Erin. Saying "fertility specialist" instead of endocrinologist.

Carson specifically asked for a little brother. He has 3 sisters, I would 💯 buy that he wants a brother with all those sisters. 

I find it interesting when posters act like it's the man's money--"I can't imagine Chad would pay". . . as though it isn't Erin's money too. Frankly, I think "Chad would pay" for anything to make Erin happy. But I would hope that they both decide how money should be spent, and babies are hot commodities in their community.

Yes, now that I've watched the video, I see that Carson was asking for a little brother. That makes more sense. I can certainly see a six-year old boy wanting a little brother. I did have trouble imagining him craving "a baby."

[CanadianMamam]

13 minutes ago, Jackie3 said:

I find it interesting when posters act like it's the man's money--"I can't imagine Chad would pay". . . as though it isn't Erin's money too. Frankly, I think "Chad would pay" for anything to make Erin happy. But I would hope that they both decide how money should be spent, and babies are hot commodities in their community.

Yes, now that I've watched the video, I see that Carson was asking for a little brother. That makes more sense. I can certainly see a six-year old boy wanting a little brother. I did have trouble imagining him craving "a baby."

I meant it more as a mutual decision with their money and frankly Chad seems utterly terrified of this pregnancy so while I am sure he sees it as God's will but I can't see him being willing to fork out thousands and thousands of dollars for it. 

[MaryOrMartha]

Is baby a boy?

[sleepygirl1]

Wow I’m surprised. Of course I want this pregnancy to go well and mother and baby to be healthy. I also now kind of hope that Michael gets pregnant because it must be really hard for her.

[Bluebirdbluebell]

24 minutes ago, MaryOrMartha said:

Is baby a boy?

They've haven't revealed the sex yet.

[CanadianMamam]

17 minutes ago, sleepygirl1 said:

Wow I’m surprised. Of course I want this pregnancy to go well and mother and baby to be healthy. I also now kind of hope that Michael gets pregnant because it must be really hard for her.

It must. I listened to Erin's video about praying for one last baby and can only imagine how much it would hurt Michael. The idea that God would listen to Erin's prayers and give her a 5th baby and ignore her prayers for even one. 

[AussieKrissy]

Oh fuck (on many levels) mainly the, "oh god is so good to us" "see what prayer can do" rhetoric we will hear over this "miracle" baby. I vomited a bit in my mouth at Whitney's god is good diatribe, baby, baby boy for bradley, house, farm ya da da da See our prayers worked... 

If it isn't a boy did Carson not pray hard enough?

It will be a boy you watch, make them even more smug. 

I'd be ready to be atheist if I were Michael.