Jane's Pregnancy Story
Posted
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:18 PM
March 29
March 29 was the day after our one-year wedding anniversary. I woke up that morning expecting my period to start at any moment. When I still didn’t have it by noon, I decided to take a pregnancy test. I was by myself and fully expected a “negative”—but to my surprise, two lines appeared. The test was positive! I started jumping up and down, screaming and crying.
May 6
When I was nine weeks pregnant, I went to my first doctor’s appointment. I was excited but also nervous; with only the positive test for proof, my pregnancy didn’t feel real enough yet. I became even more anxious when the ultrasound technician had trouble finding our baby on the screen. Finally, she exclaimed, “Oh, there it is!” and pointed to a tiny blob. I couldn’t believe it—that blob was our baby! In that moment, it all became real.
July 2
My blood work suggested that our baby was at risk of having a disorder called trisomy 18. Although the chance was small, we rushed to the doctor’s office for an advanced ultrasound. I was in tears as I climbed onto the table. But as the ultrasound screen turned on, our baby pressed his hand up and “waved” with five outstretched fingers. It was incredible! Since clenched fists are a sign of trisomy 18, the wave meant that our baby was likely healthy.
July 15
Because only an amniocentesis could tell us for certain that our baby was fine, we scheduled one for two weeks later. My husband held my hand as the doctor inserted a giant needle into my belly. A strange, rolling sensation spread across my stomach. During the procedure, I watched, amazed, as our baby moved around on the monitor. It was incredible—I could simultaneously see and feel him moving inside of me. Thankfully, my amniocentesis came back normal!
October 24
When I was 33 weeks pregnant, my best friend threw me a beautiful baby shower at my favorite restaurant. It was a luncheon with brunch, cupcakes and bottomless champagne (virgin champagne for me, of course!). Chatting with my girlfriends and anticipating the arrival of my new baby was absolute bliss. I had no idea that I would give birth just four weeks later!
November 18
At 3 p.m. on November 18, I felt my first contraction. I couldn’t believe it—I was only at 37 weeks, so I’d expected to have more time. Little did I know that my baby had his own plan! My water broke at 10 p.m. that evening, and we headed to the hospital. At 3 a.m., I was still only dilated 1 centimeter. This is going to take forever, I thought.
At 5 a.m., after the most excruciating couple hours of my life, I was 10 centimeters dilated and ready to push. At 8:21 a.m. on November 19, Griffin Elliot Katz finally arrived! He weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and had a full head of dark hair and beautiful dimples. We were absolutely overwhelmed with emotion. When I held my gorgeous baby boy in my arms, I felt exhausted, excited and, most of all, thankful. He was perfect.
>> Want to share the story of your pregnancy? Email kmulpeter@theknot.com.