I didn't take a pregnancy test until I started to feel some breast tenderness. At that point I already knew I was pregnant. I didn't bother with a home pregnancy test, I scheduled an appointment with my doctor who confirmed my theory. We found out that I was about 8 weeks along already. 

We were scared at the concept of having a baby and all that entailed as well as breaking the news to our families. I wasn't too worried about his family, however I was nervous to let my parents know I was having a kid out of wedlock. My now in laws took our news well, my parents on the other hand did not. Needless to say that just added to my stress of becoming a first time mom. I realized quickly that all that mattered was the fact that I was a grown woman and really did not need my parents approval. The most important thing was Mike and I were happy about the news.    

My pregnancy was very smooth. No sleepless nights, no vomiting, just some mild nausea in the first few months.  No crazy food cravings, I did eat a lot though, and gained over 40 pounds. The most exciting part of my pregnancy was when I started to feel the baby move. Towards the end, you could actually see the belly move when the baby shifted from side to side. The whole time I was pregnant I read out loud to the baby, talked to it, and listened to soothing music. Although, I did a lot of reading there's only one book I'd recommend called "What to Expect When You're Expecting." I feel there is no better book out there about pregnancy, it's a must read for all mommies to be.

The last month of my pregnancy, I remember several people asking me if I was having twins due to the size of my pregnancy belly. Boy, did that make me nervous even though my sonograms showed only one baby. I was scared as any first time parent. I was hoping and praying that my baby would come out normal and healthy and the concept of having twins freaked me out. Once I found out I was having a girl, Mike and I started preparing for her arrival. I had so much fun shopping for all the cute baby things and most of the things I bought were pink.

One month before my daughter's due date, my mother in law threw me a surprise baby shower. Mike proposed to me that very day in front of everyone. I have no idea how everyone was able to keep the shower and engagement under wraps. They fooled me to believe that I was going to a double birthday party. Once we arrived I was surprised that the party was actually for me. We received some great gifts for the baby, but the best part was my new engagement.

A lot goes through your mind when you're expecting. You worry about making it to full term, whether the baby will be normal and healthy. I heard child birth was painful, and I really did not know what to expect.  I was also hoping that I would have natural childbirth, I was petrified just at the thought of a c-section. In the last few weeks of my pregnancy I began having Braxton Hicks contractions and was told by my doctor that the baby could come any day.

I'll never forget the night I went into labor at 2 a.m., I was awakened by bad stomach cramps which were so much more intense than what I was used to. As I got out of bed right away my water broke. I knew then it was time to go to the hospital. I took a quick shower, got dressed and woke up Mike. A half hour later, we left the house with a baby bag I prepared and car seat in hand. Once we got to the hospital, I had to wait to get checked in which seemed to take forever. By then, my contractions got more frequent and more painful. Eventually I was assigned a room and the process began.

All in all, contractions are severe menstrual cramps, I couldn't believe how painful they were. I did not want any drugs because I planned on natural childbirth, so I was in labor for 20 miserable hours in constant pain. When the doctor informed me that that they would have to do an emergency c-section I freaked out. I developed a fever and the baby was in distress, I begged them to give me more time to see if I could have the baby naturally.  I was scared to death, and the doctors reassured us that everything would be fine. 

The anestheologist gave me an epidural and almost instantly all the pain went away. I really lucked out with my anestheologist because I didn't even feel the shot. I also never experienced any back pain which some ladies experience after an epidural. The only thing I felt during the birth was a little tugging as they were taking the baby out.

My daughter was born on March 17, 1998 at 6:10 a.m. She was a healthy baby weighing in at 7lbs 6oz and 20 inches in length. She was born with long finger nails and a full head of hair. Once the doctors checked her out and told me she was healthy, I breathed a big sigh of relief. Since that very day my life has never been the same. Due to my having a c-section I had to stay in the hospital longer. I did not sleep for days, I was constantly monitored by the nurses.

It was not a good hospital experience for me. I actually signed myself out one day early just so I could go home and have some much needed rest. It was great to finally be home and enjoy my new baby.