I Had A Baby!

Boy oh boy, these Facebook memes are coming in handy for these Holidailies entries! This one talking about pregnancy and childbirth. The lovely and talented LA assigned me the number 9; therefore, I shall now list nine interesting (I hope) facts about my pregnancy -- if I can remember that many! (Also, it gives me a chance to tell you some things you may not know about me. Madness, meet method!

1. I'm pretty sure I got pregnant on New Year's Eve, 1980, after a really great party. Off to a good start!
2. I was 28 at the time. I distinctly remember the nurse practitioner writing "Elderly Primi" on my chart. "Primi" is short for "primigravida;" that is, a woman who is pregnant for the first time. Considered "elderly" at 29! I think things have probably changed; at least I hope they have.
3. I did not suffer too badly from morning sickness, but I did get sick if I got too hungry. I'd start feeling queasy, eat something, and then... oopsy! I also got gaggy when I smelled certain foods -- peanut butter in particular. I almost yakked at work when I opened the PB&J sandwich I'd made for lunch. It was funny -- I was fine when I made the tasty treat, but when I unwrapped it... oopsy!
4. I also pretty much lost my appetite for just about everything except Cheerios. I ate a ton of Cheerios, and lost four pounds between my first checkup and my next checkup. I probably would have lost more, but I also craved ice cream.
5. In those days, doctors said it was fine to drink "an occasional glass of wine." So I did -- maybe once a week. I also drank coffee.
6. I did not know the sex of my baby until he was born. Obstetricians were just starting to use ultrasound during pregnancy, and then only when they suspected a problem or abnormality, so I never had one.
7. I went into labor on Tuesday, October 6. SonnyeBoy was finally born on Friday, October 9. He was a hefty baby -- 9 pounds, 12 ounces!
8. I was determined to have a natural childbirth, but after three days of labor and two hours of pushing, the doctor allowed as how he'd have to use forceps to birth the baby. I distinctly remember him saying "Forceps hurt. Do you want an epidural?" "YES!" I replied immediately,
9. I had some pretty impressive complications after SonnyeBoy was born, but when they put him in my arms and I counted his fingers and his toes, and breathed in his warm, newborn scent, I knew it was worth it.