Jack's Birth Story: chapter 1

Just over 8 weeks ago, little Baby Jack Jack was born on February 20. Prior to that day, I had a pretty uneventful pregnancy with only occasional heartburn, some leg swelling and pain and numbness in my right leg to complain about. (the big turkey cut circulation off to my right leg the last month or so of my pregnancy. I still have no feeling in my big toe!) However, I was getting very large (use the last post's pics for reference...I was a caboose...or a moose, whatev...) and with Ben having been an abnormally large baby (read: 10lbs!!), I was afraid Jack was going to come out a walking, talking toddler! It didn't help that at one of my last doctors appointments, my belly measured large and my midwife added to my fear of a large child by exclaiming, "Oh, wooow!" while feeling my belly. "Oh, wow what?" I fearfully asked. "Oh, wow! This is going to be a big baby! I'd guess around 10lbs if he goes to term!" At this point cue the cliche statement, "YOU did this to me!!" as I point and glare at Ben. All I can think of is the horror stories from "down there" that come with having a freakin' huge baby! But don't worry, my next doctors visit put my fears of an Andre the Giant baby to rest...not! My other midwife told me Jack was going to be a big "Iowa" baby, but "don't worry," she said, "it's not the baby that ate Chicago..." Thanks for the words of encouragement, lady (dripping sarcasm). It was at that point, 2 weeks before my due date, that I decided Jack was coming out early!

I started trying all of the (safe) tricks of the trade to induce an early labor. I mean, I was already term at 38 weeks. was ready to get that kiddo out early! I walked up the 4 flights of stairs at work every chance I got. I would speed walk during rounds. (visual: short, round prego girl leading a pack of 6 tall, male doctors around the hospital at warp speed...keep up, baby ducks!) I even ate a spicy meal or two (only caused massive heartburn for days). Nothing worked, but I was not discouraged. I left work on Friday and declared I would not be coming back until May because I was having my baby this weekend!! Gosh, darnit!

That night I went home, had a delicious (spicy) meal with Ben and his sister and went to bed.