Christopher's Birth Story

My husband and I had been trying for nearly two years to conceive. We didn't have the money to see a specialist. I had just quit my job as Office Assistant since my husband got a big raise. We were hoping that it was my job that had caused me too much stress for my body to take on a pregnancy.

I had been home for the first couple of days (jobless) and couldn't even make myself get off the couch to do anything besides use the restroom or get more to drink. No, my book was not all that interesting! I was so nauseous and exhausted!

On Wednesday, my husband announced that he was tempted to get me another pregnancy test, but I was upset. I told him, "I have been taking tests since last Saturday, and we've wasted all that money!"

He left for the store anyway, and returned just in time for yet another potty-break. Before I could even stand up, I had two lines! I had to call Michael to come and look and make sure that I wasn't seeing things!

The pregnancy progressed normally, except that I was losing weight and still gaining belly... my doctors were pretty concerned. They kept saying they thought I had gestational diabetes, but all of the tests came back negative--everything was perfect. I finally started gaining weight at the end of the pregnancy, winding up a total of 21 pounds heavier.

At my Thursday appointment, Michael practically begged my doctor to induce me immediately, but she managed to persuade him that it was safer for the baby if we waited until one week from the due date...March 27th. So, March 20th it was. We were to show up at the hospital at midnight, I would be given some vaginal suppositories to ripen my cervix and start dilation--none of that had begun yet!

After several hours, the nurse came to check on me due to the beginning of some contractions--that I did not even know I was having! I liked it MUCH better that way. Once they got the Pitocin drip going and the contractions really kicked in, I was begging for ANYTHING! Three doses of Stadol later, I was just waiting for my epidural. Finally, at about 4:30 that afternoon, I was given the epidural. I think I even offered to strip for the anesthesiologist in exchange for the drugs! I was 200% better once I got set up and could finally relax. I even videotaped my mom and my husband bouncing a light-up ball back and forth in my room while waiting for me to dilate further.

At about 8:30 p.m., they started getting ready for me to push. I was thrilled, and after only a few sets of pushes, Christopher Allan was born. It was 8:51 p.m. a day before the onset of spring, March 20th, 2000. Only fitting for a girl born on Easter Sunday to give birth that day, huh? Christopher weighed in at eight pounds ten ounces and was twenty one and a half inches long. He even sat up when the nurses were trying to measure his length! Christopher has and always will be my pride and joy.

Unfortunately, it has been even more difficult for us to get pregnant a second time, but I know without a doubt, what will eventually come will be worth the wait. Christopher certainly has been!