My husband and I were just married...June 30th. I told my Dr. shortly before the wedding that we wanted to have a baby in the near future, and she suggested I should plan on it taking about a year considering my "advanced maternal age" (35). We wound up conceiving on our honeymoon :)

I think we were both looking forward to some time to adjust to married life, but we were thrilled to see the positive pregnancy stick and I feel a relief that we won't have to endure the struggles associated with infertility. Many of my friends, also in their 30's, have had a lot of trouble conceiving. So, things happen for a reason and we welcome this baby with open arms. We had our 1st ultrasound at 6 1/2 weeks and saw the little beating heart! It seems impossible that something the size of a peppercorn could have a beating heart.

I have an almost-8-year-old daughter, Maya, from a previous relationship. She is the best kid ever and I am happy that she will get to experience being a big sister. When I told her I was pregnant, she told me it was "the best day of her life!" How cute is that? The only tough thing for her is listening to me throw up. I know it sounds just awful and she simply can't believe that I am not dying when I get sick. Poor girl. I have probably scared her off from ever having children herself.

Speaking of little Maya, I was violently ill when I was pregnant with her and I was hopeful that I would escape morning sickness this time around. Alas, it just came later. Not as severe. I am probably the only woman who gained 100 lbs. while experiencing severe morning sickness in my first pregnancy. The only thing that prevented me from vomiting was to have food in my stomach, so I ate constantly. I could only keep down junk food to boot. I didn't eat a single fruit or vegetable for 9 months...they just came right back up. But, Pop Tarts stayed down well! Anyway, I am terrified that I will regain a bunch of weight after finally taking off all 100 lbs.

My husband is an absolute dream come true and is so sweet and supportive. He would do anything to help me feel well and has assumed responsibility for most household duties. Emotionally, I am excited and nervous but feeling a little depressed about feeling sick and lacking motivation to do the things I normally do, like cooking nice dinners. I love to cook, but the sight of raw meat makes me sick and now we are eating mostly prepared foods. I feel like I am not "pulling my weight" at home, even though John has no complaints. It is just so frustrating to want to get up and do things but chronic nausea prevents that.

Anyway, I enjoy this site and the support of others going through the same thing will be helpful, I believe. I look forward to participating and hope I can be helpful and supportive to others as well.

I had a kidney stone on Thursday, doctors totally blew it and discharged me despite warning signs of pre term labor. Looking back, the stone triggered labor. I awoke Sat. a.m. with a bloody discharge and went straight to hospital. My waters broke the next day at 8:00 a.m. and I went from 4 to 10 centimeters in about 20 minutes. I was actually fully dilated, unbeknownst to medical team, at the time that I was recieving my epidural. I begged them to stop because I felt like I needed to push (don't let them ignore that feeling!), they wouldn't stop, but as soon as it was over, they examined me and I was ready to push. Ian was born after about 2 good pushes and came out crying, with apgars of 9. He has a full head of light brown hair with blond highlights...I have never seen infant hair like this. Looks like it was professionally done :) He never required oxygen, he had a g tube for 2 days, but is totally bottle fed (my breast milk) now, so he has a goog suck/swallow ability at his tender age. He is such a cutie and my husband and I are totally smitten. Maya hasn't been able to visit because she is under 12, but we expect him to go home this week. It has been such a whirlwind...I spend my days visiting Ian, pumping breast milk and not much else. I am so grateful that we delivered at a hospital with a NICU, as we were never separated. Looking back, I should have advocated better for myself and not allowed them to ignore the labor signs, but it all worked out in the end. No longer pregnant, beautiful baby,a dn lots of love and support from family and friends. Thanks to all of you who helped me get through my very difficult pregnancy. I plan to remain active so I can read all of your beautiful birth stories. Best of luck and get those bags packed :)