The art of being pregnant.

You would think that by the fourth time around one would have being pregnant down to a science. You would be wrong. Not only are pregnancies different between different women, they can be very different for the same woman.

My first pregnancy was so perfect. I was 28 years old. I had no morning sickness, no complications, nothing out of the ordinary. My energy level was up and I was so happy being pregnant. I lost 8 pounds and gained back 10 past my start weight. I had cravings, Reese's Peanut Butter cups. I had aversions, mainly the smell of fried chicken. I loved eating healthy food. I had the glow. I got the typical 2 ultrasounds. One at 11 weeks to confirm the pregnancy and one at 28 weeks for all the measurements. My water broke I arrived at the hospital 1 centimeter dilated and going no where fast. I was promptly induced. No warning at all as to the coming birth. The brilliant doctors had my due date wrong. Very wrong. So I was not prepared for his arrival. I thought I still had more time. He was delivered after 21 hours of labor. Not the way I had planned to have my first baby, but he was a perfect bouncing, baby boy.

My second pregnancy was totally unexpected. We were not trying to get pregnant. I had the aversion to the smell of fried chicken to confirm I was pregnant. At about 5 weeks I started spotting. At 6 weeks I got an ultrasound showing something was wrong. They determined it was an ectopic pregnancy and I was treated with Methotrexate. That was on July 13th. I was 8 weeks pregnant.

The third time around my pregnancy actually seemed more typical to me. Morning sickness started at exactly 8 weeks and ended at exactly 12 weeks. During that time I lost 12 pounds. I had no cravings at all. I didn't like anything. There were no foods that were better than any others. I had to actually force myself to eat something at least once a day. That was until I discovered the triple chocolate cake at the local grocery store. Then I was eating. Then I finally gained 10 pounds past my start weight. I got an ultrasound at 6 weeks to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be, another one at 11 weeks becuase they couldn't get the ultrasound with the Doppler, another one at 17 week for all the measurements and another at about 25 weeks to confirm the sex. I was tired and run down and by 34 weeks I was done. I was dilating rather consistently. By 36 weeks I was 2cm dilated and 50% effaced, by 37 weeks I was 3cm dilated and 70% effaced, by 38 weeks I was 3.5cm dilated and 100% effaced. I was having very random contractions for 3 weeks. Sometimes several a day sometimes only one a day. We decided I would be induced 3 days early. I arrived at the hospital ready to have a baby. A bit more ready than I realized. I was 4cm dilated and having regular contractions. Not that I was feeling them mind you. I wonder how long it would have been if I hadn't been induced. I delivered him after 6 hours of labor. That was a much better delivery in my book.

My first son was 5-3/4 when the baby was born. He was somewhat curious about the baby, but was very insecure after the birth. He had been an only child for so long. He thought he was being replaced. Poor kid. He did adjust and is a great big brother.

Now that I am pregnant for the fourth time it is a bit more of a challenge. I was 36 when this pregnancy started. I have had sever morning sickness from 6 weeks until almost 22 weeks. I lost 20 pounds. I got an ultrasound at 8 weeks, 13 weeks, and 17 weeks. This one woudn't sit still and they were having a real hard time getting a heart beat with the Doppler. I had one more at 20 weeks for all the measurements. I have been so tried from the get go. I again have no cravings. I don't like any kind of chicken at all. I am eating, but food is not my friend. I can find things I like, but not many. The oldest child is indifferent to my being pregnant this time around. He has a been there, done that attitude. The fun part is watching my second son react to my growing belly. There have been things about the pregnancy that he has not liked. I was still nursing him when I got pregnant. At about 3 months it was just hurting too much to continue and with being sick all the time I couldn't handle any pressure on my stomach at all. He still occasionally asks to nurse. He has been enjoying watching my belly grow. He pats my belly, rubs it, hugs it. It has been fun watching him. He has helped pick out things for the baby and talks about the baby. He is also doing things like sitting in the portable swing and saying he is the baby. I don't think his 3 year old mind has quite grasped the concept of the baby yet. The first night he spends without mommy she will bring home a new baby. I am really not too sure how that is going to go over with him. I am now almost 38 weeks, 2cm dilated, 80% effaced and ready to be done. I have finally back at my start weight. I am not having as many random contractions this time around, but a few. We also aren't having as much 'get this baby out' sex. Conflicting schedules and all. I do know that if I have not had the baby before February 9th I will be induced that morning.

My only fear at this time is going into labor while my wonderful husband is at work. Last time around it was no biggie. My oldest came with us. There was a small separate room in the delivery room and he hung out in there watching TV, movies, and playing his Nintendo DS. He would again be calm and quiet, it is the 3 year old I am worried about. He can be calm and collected, but he can also be a terror. I can't see him leaving me alone for very long without wanting to sit on mommy and see everything that is going on. He is a very curious child. Loves to be the center of everything. So I sit here typing, biding my time. Just waiting for something to happen. Will it be today, or next week? That is the big question.