All About The First Pregnancy-Shawna !

The Wonders Of Pregnancy and more...

It all started on a regular day at work.  I was working at the Target Food Court and I was feeling a little sick.  Since it was so close to lunchtime I thought it was because I was hungry.  So when my lunch break came I had a real healthy meal... a chili cheese dog and soda!  After my lunch I still felt a bit sick and I didn't know why.  It was a new kind of sick to me and to rule out the possibility I decided to take a HPT (home pregnancy test- for those of you who don't know).  I did it at work because I was really curious.  After the time passed it came up positive and I knew then that my sickness was the beginning of Morning Sickness (all-day sickness is more like it!).  I went home and told my hubby (boyfriend at the time), and he was shocked...we never expected it.  When I did another test at home and he saw the positive results he got really excited.  I went to my first OB doctors appointment and found out some interesting things.  Dr. Brann (the coolest and best dressed doc in the world) did an ultrasound to find out how far I really was.  I found out that the baby was 8 weeks along, had a great heartbeat, and looked like a little lima bean ( LOL!!!).  On a sad note though, immediately after that appointment the doctor sent me to the hospital for IV fluids.  The morning sickness was taking its toll, but all would be well!

As the pregnancy went on, the morning sickness wore off (thank God!), and I was able to enjoy the new life forming in me.  I began to look forward to the obvious signs, such as bigger belly and the baby's first movements.  I was fortunate to find a group in my town ( Lake Elsinore,CA) that allowed me to meet other young pregnant women to learn things and share my new world.  Through this group (Bridges to Motherhood-from the Inland Valley Pregnancy Clinic), I was able to learn CPR, breastfeeding info, and many other things.  Although this group catered to women, my hubby got to also attend and learn alonside me.  Its amazing that a program that is based on community support can give us new parents so much support.

Next thing I knew, the belly really did start getting bigger...as well as a few other things!  The hubby got amused with my new look, telling me it was "beautiful".  Without his love and support, I would feel like a moo-cow!  Really though, he took very good care of me and made me feel like the prettiest prego girl (even with a few jokes!).

At around 33 weeks into my preganancy I went into early labor.  It was pretty bad and it took 8 shots and a ton of meds to keep them stopped.  Somebody wanted out a little early. I almost missed my baby shower but I got out in time and was forced to sit through the wohole thing without getting up for anything. Finally, at 8am on Feb. 22, 1999 my water broke.  i had no idea what was going on but i was sure that it was not pee!  We were at his sisters house so she drove us to the hospital.  My poor frightened hubby was rushing her while we were calm and he was going nuts.  We arrived at the hospital and I was talen to the Labor and Delivery room.  They hooked me up to the monitor to see my progress.  The contractions werent very far and I wasn't dialated much so they suggested I get a little Pitocin to speed things up...boy did it ever!  The contractions came on faster and harder and I was overwhelmed.  I originally wanted to go without drugs but when the nurse asked I was like "YES AND NOW!".  I then got an epidural and I was finally better!  After a while, I could feel the contractions a bit through the epidural and the nurse checked me and said I was only 6cm so I had to wait.  15-20 min later she came back in to check and was amazed that I was already at 10 cm.  She said I could start pushing soon!  THe doctor came in and she said that we could start.  The pushing and the pressure felt strange but at the same time it was miraculous.  After a few minutes of pushing the nurse told me something was wrong.  Her  hearbeat kept going down with each contraction so we had to get her out quick.  I pushed, the doctor used the vacuum extractor, and we all worked to get her out.  At 5:42 pm on February 22, 1999, Shawna Mary was born and a few hours later (after some warming and cleaning) in her mommy's arms of love.  That's the story of Shawna's pregnancy, labor, and birth... I hope you liked it.