My name is Jessica and I am 29 years old and expecting my first baby. It's a boy and we are going to name him Gavin Michael. I just graduated magna cum laude w/ by B.S. in biology w/ chemistry minor. I also have my A.S. in chemistry and pre-pharmacy and have been accepted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program at UIW Feik School of Pharmacy. I am deferring my enrollment until fall 2008 in order to stay with my little sweet pea who is due on November 14th. I have a wonderful husband, and fantastic family and the best friends in the world. I have been enjoying this pregnancy, and I hope all continues to go well.


About me and my partner:

My husband and I have been together for 8 years. We are deeply in love and are each other's soul mates. We enjoy hiking, dining in various ethnic restaurants, dinner parties w/ friends and family, and going out on the town. Of course, lately we have been spending evenings going through baby clothes and setting up baby gear. ;)


Most unusual cravings:

This is sooo gross, but for a while, around 17 weeks, I really, really liked the taste of spray butter on cheddar cheese. Now, at 29 weeks, I don't have any unusual cravings, but hunger can come on quick and strong, and I just have to eat. Not only that, it has to be what I want...no time for debating what to eat...it's always what I want to eat..heh heh, or there is hell to pay. It is funny how angry I can get when I am hungry...I have actually cried because I was sooo hungry. Once I was watching Anthony's Bourdain's No Reservations, and he was showcasing Mexican food, and I cried b/c I wanted real Mexican food, not Tex-Mex, then and there!!!! My husband did't have a clue as to what to do, and I am talking about a full on, heaving cry!!! We both laughed afterward.


Morning sickness: When it started, how I tried to cure it.

I didn't feel any morning sickness until 7 weeks into my pregnancy. Saltine crackers and gingerale were kept at my bedside, and eaten upon wakening, before I even got out of bed. I had nausea, and mild vomiting. I also developed an extremely sensitive gag reflex. Most of the extreme symptoms were gone by the start of my second trimester. However, I am 29 weeks and 3 days today, and still have difficulty brushing my back teeth, or with the foamy toothpaste. Also, from the 9th week until now, the sight of toilettes makes me nauseous...even if they are clean. This is the worst in public restrooms and can send me into dry heaving. I have to close my eyes and visualize ice cubes and frozen peach slices to control my gag reflex...odd...sometimes I have to chant under my breath, "ice cube peaches, ice cube peaches"....a little embarrassing if someone hears me...hehehehe.


The baby's sex -- to know or not to know?

At our 23 week appointment the two sonographers in the room both said, "oh, it's a boy," at the same time....so we have named him Gavin Michael.


Best piece of advice someone gave me about giving birth:

The advice I am taking to heart is from my cousin Bridget, a mother of two, who told me not to eat anything heavy the week of my due date. No steak, no burritos supreme, no super nachos...she warned that defecation is a reality during child birth, so why make it worse with a big meal of offensive foods. She said try to keep it to veggies, fruits, and chicken breast.


Worst piece of advice someone gave me about giving birth:

No one has given me any advice I would consider bad.


Best piece of advice I can give about giving birth:
Every woman has the right to decide how she wants to give birth, whether at home, with a midwife, or in a hospital. I was very happy with having a hospital birth. Giving birth is hard, anyway you do it, so don't think any method is easier than any other...it's a personal choice, just like anything else in life. I choose to have an epidural and had a great experience with it. I feel like I was able to keep focus, keep enthusiastic, and alert to my birthing experience.

Favorite maternity clothes/shoes:

The majority of my pregnancy is during the warm months, so my favorite shorts are just a plus sized pair of black stretch shorts worn way above my baby bump and two cami tanks: one wild print with an empire waist from Wal-mart and a black cotton empire waist cami tank with beige rick rack trim from Lane Bryant.


Funny stories about my husband/partner during pregnancy:

My hubby woke up one morning and told me he had a dream that he was pregnant with the baby and saw another pregnant man (some actor) going into labor, and then got scared and didn't want to go through childbirth. hahahaha...I laughed so hard and kissed him for that dream.

Also, his cravings were often worse than my own. I often would be eating a big bowl of fresh fruit, while he spooned out a pint of rocky road ice cream...heh heh. And he would experience terrible heart burn just like me, even when we ate food that should not cause heartburn...green salad w/ grilled chicken breast...heh heh.

Hospital or home birth?

Hospital birth, if all goes as planned. heh ;)

Breastfeeding or bottle feeding?

I plan on breastfeeding.

When I went into labor, I was. . .

at the hospital. I went in for my normal 39 week appt. and my blood pressure was high...so, my doctor decided to induce that day, November 7, 2008! My due date was November 14th, and if I didn't start labor before then, I was scheduled for an induction on that day. My doc sent me directly to the hospital to start the induction...which was stopped at 6:00 pm that night and restarted at 5:00 the next morning.



My labor . . .

was pretty good. I was scared, because this was all new to me, but I feel I handled it well. My husband was fantastic. He did well to calm me down, and even to make me laugh. When the dr. broke my water, that was when the pain started...but I had an epidural, so I was once again feeling strong and celebratory.


About baby:

He came a lot quicker than I had expected. He was out in 7 contractions. I was so happy to have had my mom and my husband there to witness my baby coming into the world. He was born on November 8, 2007. Gavin weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20.3 inches long. And he was the most beautiful baby ever! I was surprised how little a newborn baby actually is...which is a good thing, considering where they come out! ;)

Looking back on my pregnancy, these moments were the:

Funniest: Crying because I was soooo hungry.
Happiest: Getting that positive pregnancy test.
Saddest: The thought of losing the baby...I had spotting during my early pregnancy.
Most unforgettable: Holding my baby as soon as he was birthed. Looking into the eyes of the little life I grew inside of my body.