Naturally Fit from the Inside Out : May 2009

MOTHERHOOD SURVEY - SECOND BORN

1. WAS YOUR SECOND PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes…married for 2 ½ years

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? I was overwhelmed with joy!

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Absolutely not!!!

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 26-27

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I took a pregnancy test as soon as I missed my period.

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My mother-in-law, since she was the first person I saw the minute after taking a pregnancy test. Then I called Ryan at work to tell him.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes...I don't like secrets.

9. DUE DATE? May 9, 2009

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Off & on…it was really bad in the beginning, but then got better.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Regular coffee (that I had to give up), frozen yogurt, ice cream, fruit, chocolate, cheese, dried cereal, and sushi

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Nothing really

13. WHAT WAS YOUR SECOND CHILD'S SEX? *Girl*

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
No way...I wanted a girl since I already had a boy.

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
30 lbs. (10 lbs. less than I gained with my first pregnancy)

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew about it. Again, I don't like surprises.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No, praise the Lord!

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Riverside, CA

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? I was scheduled for an induction, which took place at 9:00 a.m. It went well, since I was contracting on my own and was already effaced at 3cm and dilated at 50%. My doctor broke my bag of waters at 1:20 p.m. I was 10 cm at 4:30 p.m. and Emily Grace was born at 5:00 p.m.

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? My husband drove my mother-in-law and me. My mom followed behind us.

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? My husband, mom, and mother-in-law were all my labor & delivery coaches. :)

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? I had Pitocin to help induce labor and one dose of Stadol (which I was told is similar to Benadryl or Tylonel) at 2:30 p.m. By the time I had to push the medication had completely worn off, but once I saw my precious baby the pain went away.

27. WHAT WAS YOUR CHILD'S WEIGHT/HEIGHT? 7 lbs. 3 oz. 19 in.

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? April 27, 2009

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Emily Grace

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR SECOND BORN TODAY? She is 20 days old.

32. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU FIRST SAW YOUR BABY? I was in shock at first. I wasn’t expecting to deliver as soon as I did. I didn't think it would happen until 7:00 p.m. or later. I couldn't believe how beautiful she was, since I never got a 4D ultrasound and had no idea what she would look like. I immediately fell in love. It was such an amazing feeling to have a boy and a girl. I felt deeply blessed, content, and happy with our family of four.

33. WHAT WAS DADDY’S REACTION WHEN HE FIRST SAW HIS BABY? Ryan was also in shock at first, because of Emily's fast arrival. He was so thankful and relieved that she was healthy and also felt like she completed our family. He is still trying to get used to having a daughter, since he’s been around boys his whole life, but cherishes every minute he spends with her. He agrees that with me that she couldn’t be more perfect.

34. WHO WAS THERE FOR YOUR BABY’S ARRIVAL? Emily's daddy, Grandma Denielle, and Grandma Mary were there for the labor and delivery. Her Grandpa Tim, Aunt Teresa, Aunt Kaitlyn, Grandpa Allan, Uncle Kurt, and cousin Randi all came to the hospital shortly after her birth. Her Grandpa Tom was there for my labor, but had to leave and came to see her the next day at home.