186 replies to this topic

[twisted_ophelia]

Hey everyone!!

I haven't posted in a while because I've been nauseous, exhausted and generally feeling like shiz... and I'm pregnant! LOL! I'm 15 weeks along and my partner Jeremy and I are absolutely over the moon about it. It's a boy (I had an ultrasound this week because I'm "high risk" and his little baby penis popped up already!) and he is due September 24. This is the first child for both of us and Jeremy also happens to be a paraplegic. He's T10 and some of you may now who he is, he's a well known skier (http://www.jeremymcghee.com) and so I've got a lot of questions for other moms and dads in chairs.

For other moms who have gone through pregnancy paralyzed:
Did you still fit in your wheelchair in the later months? I have a 14" chair which is already snug and my belly is rapidly expanding. I'm worried about not fitting in my chair. I figure I'll be laying down a lot and Jeremy can also just take off the side guards but I still want to be mobile.

Did you struggle with transfers? I'm already struggling! I've put on about 20lbs from the pregnancy but I'm just absolutely exhausted ALL the time. I had a horrible time with nausea which still has not fully gone away and spend my days laying around like a princess (not so bad!). Both me and Jeremy have SUVs and he or friends of mine are already having to help me in and out of the truck. I'm worried about the later months. We are thinking of trading in one of our cars for either a van or a Prius.

I want to have a natural delivery, preferably a water birth. I wanted a home birth but I have issues with my kidneys and have been termed a high risk pregnancy and don't think a home birth with just a mid wife will be possible. Did any of you have natural births at the hospital? I asked my OB/GYN who has had a couple other spinal cord injured women patients if I can push and she says that those women were able to push and deliver without c-section. I want to do everything I can to avoid a c-section and I'm starting to think more about birth plans.

After the baby is born:
Me and my baby daddy (LOL) are worried about the early months of our son's arrival into the world when newborns have those floppy heads. He has more core strength than I do at T10 but we still need our arms to support ourselves when picking up stuff from lower down. How did any of you parents in chairs handle your newborn? Also, are there any baby carriers you recommend? Cribs? We are looking at convertible cribs that the bars lower down in front on and also front-carriers where the baby will sit on our chests. Or a sling when he's a newborn. Is there any other baby gear you guys recommend? It doesn't neccessarily have to be stuff specific to disabled parents. There is just SO much out there and looking at all the baby monitors, high chairs, bottles, etc., is VERY overwhelming for a first time mother.

Lastly, I just wanted to say a word on male paraplegic fertility (particularly fully complete injuries) that I really hope gives hope to all you SCI men here at the App family who are trying to conceive. Jeremy and I didn't ever think we'd be able to conceive a baby naturally and without going into a whole lot of private detail, I just want to say to you guys to keep trying naturally--even if you are not able to be erect or are already doing fertility treatments--because we conceived our baby the old fashioned way. All it takes is one little sperm, I guess, because that's pretty much what happened to us. Keep the faith and keep holding onto hope because if it can happen for us, it can happen to others as well. Just use what you got, if you know what I mean, even if it's not "working". :-P

Anyway, that's my big news! I'm not working right now and spending most of my time laying down so hopefully will get to catch up on the forum. I'm planning a move out to San Diego this month so if you're a SCI parent in the San Diego or SoCal area please get in touch!
xo
mims

[twisted_ophelia]

Forgot to add that I have been going positively crazy trying to keep this a secret until I was out of the first trimester LOL. Feels good to be able to just shout it from the rooftops!

[Simba]

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH

Hubby and I have also been trying to conceive naturally for a few months your story was very inspirational to read and I thank you for sharing it with everyone. You must be truly wrapped and I hope you will have as comfortable a pregnancy as possible and work on solutions in terms of disability - No doubt others will give you loads of suggestions on things you can do! Best wishes to you both - fabulous news and great encouragement to other disabled couples trying out there.

[twisted_ophelia]

Thank you Simba! I'm so glad it gave you hope. I really wanted to share it so that people who are trying can see a real-life example of conceiving naturally even though both of us are paralyzed, especially the SCI men out there who might feel discouraged about fertility. I'm pretty sure my partner never thought it would happen naturally or without expensive treatments but it HAS and it's our little miracle baby boy. Definitely have not had an easy pregnancy so far but I'm hoping that changes as I move more into my second trimester. I have new respect for all the mothers out there--pregnancy is nuts! I think Jeremy is scared of my raging pregnancy hormones and bizarre food cravings (turkey bacon dipped in homemade green veggie juice, koolaid drink crystals, salmon smothered in BBQ sauce and the typical pickle cravings!)

Good luck with your natural conception, I truly truly truly hope it happens for you

[roo]

congrats to you both hope all goes well with the pregnancy .

[Edinburgh Colin]

Hey Mimms, that is absolutely fabulous news , CONGRATULATIONS to both you and the expectant Father (he'll be quietly shitting himself inside) and I'm sure everything will be OK and that you feel a bit better. Tell him he's got nothing to worry about apart from proving to you son that he's a better dad than all the other boy's ones, and he's got a head start, 1) he's on wheels (pretty cool if you show the kids it straight up) and 2) he's a brilliant skier.

On top of that he can boast what a fantastic mom he's got with your modeling, skiing .

Really fantastic news and much love to you both, I've got 3 of my own Girl 9, boy 8 and my wee princess 3 in June and they are the best thing that ever happened to me.

Lots of (not any more for you)

EC

[greybeard]

Hiya Mimi, That's great news.

Can't offer much advice except about picking up the little fella.

You can do it one handed if you lift him by his dick. He'll thank you for it later.

Keep well.

[S&W Winger]

greybeard, on 07 April 2011 - 08:34 AM, said:

Hiya Mimi, That's great news.

Can't offer much advice except about picking up the little fella.

You can do it one handed if you lift him by his dick. He'll thank you for it later.

Keep well.

Ah always such sage advice!


Big CONGRATS!!! Lots of info and tips in a few recent threads...I wish you all the best!

Edited by S&W Winger, 07 April 2011 - 09:10 AM.

[nomis]

Great news mims. And, very interesting on your old fashioned conception method. All young male SCIs should be greatly encouraged.

When with my ex-wife, who also is para, we had a baby boy (he's now a young man). We borrowed the services of a clinic. At T7 you shouldn't have much difficulty handling the baby. Firstly, you'll surprise yourself with inventive techniques for lifting - also some safe ways of handling losing your balance. It all comes out of necessity. I cringe now to think back to some of the one-handed lifts I used to do.

We relied heavily on a front pack for carrying, you know, the ones that cuddle them into your chest - safe and convenient plus you can talk and check on them while wheeling. It used to be one of my jobs to go for a 6am wheel while his mum got a couple of hours sleep.

What a great mum this baby is going to have. Roll on September.

[araitn]

Congrats Mimi, that's great news! I don't have any advice for you as I don't have any kids, GB's idea sounds like a good one though. My wife and I tried to have a baby before my injury but, it never worked out.

Your little boy is going to be so lucky having such "cool" parents!

[RSUK]

Congratulations mims / to you both!

Cant offer any advice im afraid as no kids but just wanted to wish you well. Look forward to hearing all about it and advice that parents can offer you.

All the best

R

[mcferguson]

Congratulations! That's great!

Thanks for the encouragement as we are trying for our 4th, but 1st since the accident.

[Tetracyclone]

So happy for you both, Mimi and Jeremy. You will figure it all out. Work on those transfers and keep us updated with photos as you balloon out.

[lifeisgood]

Congrats!!

I had two..fit in the chair the chair for both..basically looked like a basketball in my stomach.

I actually was put on bed rest at the end of the first as I wasnt able to eat enough! and she wasnt growing anymore in the tummy--

As a higher injury--I did get dizzy alot! that was a big issue..and I mean big!. The baby will lower bp even more and back then we didn;t have midrodine..so yeah..and well no binder right lol

tranfers --yes--I did them the entire time..but it does change them and your center of gravity--so I didnt do them at night when I was less awake..and careful..so my hubby would carry me to the bathroom! I didnt think of ever just using afoley back then.if I had it to do over again--as you have to pee so much more..that would be the way to go!

B6 saved my butt from the nausau..found out about it in a hangover book! lol

Had both my girls natural..no c section and induced--early so as to not risk ad at sudden labor. epidural of course.

Once she came--I was up and cleaning the floor in the hosptial room..nesting! So recovered very fast!

[lifeisgood]

oh.. I used a sling a newborn--but is was not that effective..the show on TLC paralyzed and pregnant with twins..she created a great system with a moon shapped pillow on her lap which she attached on each side with clips that went around her body! Watch the show--it is the best way really!

Once she was a little bigger I found the perfect thing was just two back straps (like they use to hold people in wheelchairs?) with velcro on the end that where screwed securely into my poles on each side below my push handles....I put her on my stomach face out tied the straps around her and rolled! very secure and she was close to my heart and looking out at the world! it was fast too to undo and redo--so everytime you wanted to move from one place to another you didnt have to go all nuts with a sling or pouch..

[mellowgator]

dear mimi,

congratulations that's great news. your boyfriend is hot. way to go girl.

as to your questions. i was able to fit in my chair the whole time. i did lose my center of balance and fell on a ramp once which was dramatic and i had to go straight to the hospital to get monitored. i was able to transfer throughout the pregnancy but reverted to a sliding board the 3rd trimester. i was very nauseaus as well especially the 1st trimester. my first daughter was breech so she had to be delivered via c-section but my 2nd child wasn't and she was delivered naturally. the nurses helped me with pushing by pushing down on my belly during the contractions.

once the baby was born i used a few differnt methods of carrying her. i put the baby in a bed side craddle that was on wheels and when she woke up i'd pick her up and just put her in bed with me to nurse. i also used a nursing pillow that velcroed around me that the baby could lay on. i used it for nursing and for wheeling the baby around. i also used a front carrier but the pillow was easier to use. when the baby could sit up i would strap the baby to me so i could wheel around. i used a regular crib and a desk as a changing table. i also had a carseat carrier and stroller in one. i used to push the kids aroung the house in the stroller. it worked really well.

pm me with any questions you have and i'll be happy to tell you my experiences.

mellowgator

[twisted_ophelia]

Thank you so much for all the congrats!

Edinburgh Colin, on 07 April 2011 - 08:15 AM, said:

Hey Mimms, that is absolutely fabulous news , CONGRATULATIONS to both you and the expectant Father (he'll be quietly shitting himself inside) and I'm sure everything will be OK and that you feel a bit better. Tell him he's got nothing to worry about apart from proving to you son that he's a better dad than all the other boy's ones, and he's got a head start, 1) he's on wheels (pretty cool if you show the kids it straight up) and 2) he's a brilliant skier.

Lots of (not any more for you)

EC

Oh, yup, he's of course talking about teaching our son to ski and surf and play football! It's amazing how some men get so excited over having a little boy. He'd be just as excited about a girl but I'm pretty sure if he had to choose playing football versus playing teaparty, he's going to choose football! I think he's going to be an amazing daddy. I'm already having the typical fears over whether or not I'll be a good mother but kids seem to love me so I think I'll be ok. It's amazing how kids seem to 'overlook' the wheelchair once they understand it and understand SCI a bit.

greybeard, on 07 April 2011 - 08:34 AM, said:

Hiya Mimi, That's great news.

Can't offer much advice except about picking up the little fella.

You can do it one handed if you lift him by his dick. He'll thank you for it later.

Keep well.

You have no idea how proud Jeremy already is of our son's in-utero penis. It's very visible in the latest ultrasound and apparently his buddies who have seen the ultrasound are already commented on the baby's amazing looking member! So picking him up by his dick may not be THAT far of a stretch!

nomis, on 07 April 2011 - 09:27 AM, said:

Great news mims. And, very interesting on your old fashioned conception method. All young male SCIs should be greatly encouraged.

When with my ex-wife, who also is para, we had a baby boy (he's now a young man). We borrowed the services of a clinic. At T7 you shouldn't have much difficulty handling the baby. Firstly, you'll surprise yourself with inventive techniques for lifting - also some safe ways of handling losing your balance. It all comes out of necessity. I cringe now to think back to some of the one-handed lifts I used to do.

We relied heavily on a front pack for carrying, you know, the ones that cuddle them into your chest - safe and convenient plus you can talk and check on them while wheeling. It used to be one of my jobs to go for a 6am wheel while his mum got a couple of hours sleep.

What a great mum this baby is going to have. Roll on September.

Thank you for that, Nomis! I realize that there are not a whole lot of couples out there who are both paralyzed and so we don't have a lot of people to show us examples of two paralyzed parents. We've been working out stuff already about how we'll get him into the carseat, carry the baby carrier, etc. We're pretty sure we're going to need either a van with a ramp or a car because I can't see having two SUVs being all that easy with a newborn. Definitely doing to do the chest carrier. Jeremy was thinking he'd do a knapsack for a diaper bag so he'd have his hands free all the time. Were you able to transfer with the baby on your chest? Funny you said you went for the 6 am wheel cuz Jeremy said the same thing! I'm not a morning person and he was saying he'd get up and take the baby and the dog for his morning walk while I get my sleep. Sometimes you guys are so awesome.

araitn, on 07 April 2011 - 10:51 AM, said:

Your little boy is going to be so lucky having such "cool" parents!

Hehehe I hope so! Thank you!

lifeisgood, on 07 April 2011 - 03:55 PM, said:

Congrats!!

I had two..fit in the chair the chair for both..basically looked like a basketball in my stomach.

I actually was put on bed rest at the end of the first as I wasnt able to eat enough! and she wasnt growing anymore in the tummy--

As a higher injury--I did get dizzy alot! that was a big issue..and I mean big!. The baby will lower bp even more and back then we didn;t have midrodine..so yeah..and well no binder right lol

tranfers --yes--I did them the entire time..but it does change them and your center of gravity--so I didnt do them at night when I was less awake..and careful..so my hubby would carry me to the bathroom! I didnt think of ever just using afoley back then.if I had it to do over again--as you have to pee so much more..that would be the way to go!

B6 saved my butt from the nausau..found out about it in a hangover book! lol

Had both my girls natural..no c section and induced--early so as to not risk ad at sudden labor. epidural of course.

Once she came--I was up and cleaning the floor in the hosptial room..nesting! So recovered very fast!

Oh, good to know, thanks! I eat CONSTANTLY and I was not a big eater before I got pregnant. I'm hungry all the time. I have been sitting in car post-grocery shopping stuffing my face straight from the bags because I can't wait to eat at home! It's crazy! One of the first pregnancy symptoms I had was the insatiable hunger. And massive cravings for meat. Lots and lots of meat. I was vegetarian for YEARS and in recent years ate mainly poultry and fish but now I'm eating more bacon, burgers, steak and other red meats than I ever thought I'd eat. I also hated pickles prior to getting pregnant and now I eat several large jars a week! LOL! Jeremy was impressed when I ate a large coconut cream pie milkshake from Sonic (probably about 5000 calories. Yikes) and then polished off HIS milkshake too right after eating a half a chicken and sides at a BBQ restaurant.

I'm already on partial bed rest. I can get up and go out but under doctor's orders to rest most of the day and not do any physical extertion. Kind of hard for me! I've become an expert on watching TV and having someone bring me food! My OB/GYN pretty much told me straight I can expect to be on full bed rest in a few months. Not looking forward to that but lucky in that Jeremy understands how difficult that is and is being extremely supportive. I'm definitely already having the balance issues. I started showing very early (after about 6 weeks) and now have a noticeable baby belly which throws me off on transfers. I'm hoping I'll get a better handle on my balance. The bladder is also a big issue. Constant problem. I'm thinking I might do the indwelling thing if I go on bed rest because I pee every 30 minutes. I recently flew to Colorado and had the flight attendants taking me to the bathroom, literally, about every 20 minutes to avoid an accident on the plane.

Good to know about the natural birth! That's my goal.

[twisted_ophelia]

mellowgator, on 07 April 2011 - 05:50 PM, said:

dear mimi,

congratulations that's great news. your boyfriend is hot. way to go girl.

as to your questions. i was able to fit in my chair the whole time. i did lose my center of balance and fell on a ramp once which was dramatic and i had to go straight to the hospital to get monitored. i was able to transfer throughout the pregnancy but reverted to a sliding board the 3rd trimester. i was very nauseaus as well especially the 1st trimester. my first daughter was breech so she had to be delivered via c-section but my 2nd child wasn't and she was delivered naturally. the nurses helped me with pushing by pushing down on my belly during the contractions.

once the baby was born i used a few differnt methods of carrying her. i put the baby in a bed side craddle that was on wheels and when she woke up i'd pick her up and just put her in bed with me to nurse. i also used a nursing pillow that velcroed around me that the baby could lay on. i used it for nursing and for wheeling the baby around. i also used a front carrier but the pillow was easier to use. when the baby could sit up i would strap the baby to me so i could wheel around. i used a regular crib and a desk as a changing table. i also had a carseat carrier and stroller in one. i used to push the kids aroung the house in the stroller. it worked really well.

pm me with any questions you have and i'll be happy to tell you my experiences.

mellowgator

I'd love to hear your experiences! I'll PM you in a sec.

Thank you, I'm pretty fond of Jeremy myself. He thinks the ultrasound "looks just like him". Pretty cute how men get around their pregnant partners.

I'm worried about falling. I've come close a couple times, especially getting in and out of the truck. I had a very big scare a few weeks ago and tore my placenta while I was getting my chair out of my SUV. Luckily I was already visiting my doctor. I felt this horrible pain shoot through me while I was leaning over and putting the wheels on followed by bleeding. VERY scary. Luckily things seem to be healed and ok. My doctor told me not to do any wheelies or curb jumps. I just feel blessed to have such a supportive partner since I feel very physical broken down these days and not very independent. I also feel like a whale and being told I look hot/attractive/pretty works well during my little pregnant meltdowns haha!

I was hoping the nausea would be done by now but it's not. It's only when my stomach is empty now though, as opposed to all the time. My best friend (not paralyzed) was nauseous for 8 months of her pregnancy. I hope that's not going to be me. I've started doing the baby registry and put a cradle and nursing pillow on there as well as this little thing that fits into our bed so he can sleep with us in the middle. The stroller I've been looking at is the carrier/stroller combo and we found some car seats that have the base stay in the car and the carrier portion just click in which we thought would be perfect since we can just lift him in his carrier and attach it to the base without fiddling around.

So comforting to hear the natural birth stories!

[ClaraTaylor]

OH CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

I'd noticed you joining a few specialist groups on Facebook - I spent a good paranoid hour trying to work out whether I'd missed something!

Enjoy every moment

[lifeisgood]

I worked full time..so exerting so much energy made me lose calories..Given you are on bedrest Be careful about the calories..it will make if harder to do all you want once you have the BOY!! yeah!!

You dont need an extra 20pds and the baby to carry around..when it is all done )

every 20 minutes on plane..wow!! they are gonna change the rules! lol definately do the foley girl! especially when traveling! I only do when traveling..but why not make it easier? just get the softer yellow gold kind (vs hard clear ones.so they are softer and don't cause ad..yikes.

and you will need to drink lots of water to prevent contractions..so better just not have to bother with the intermittant..for now..imo )

Edited by lifeisgood, 07 April 2011 - 06:15 PM.

[twisted_ophelia]

ClaraTaylor, on 07 April 2011 - 06:12 PM, said:

OH CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

I'd noticed you joining a few specialist groups on Facebook - I spent a good paranoid hour trying to work out whether I'd missed something!

Enjoy every moment

Hehe we haven't made the big Facebook announcement yet but it's coming. We wanted to keep it quiet for the first trimester and only told some family and best friends who we knew could keep quiet about it. It's nice to not have it be a big secret anymore! I'll probably post the latest ultrasound on there in the next few days. I may be biased but it's a super cute picture of him!

lifeisgood, on 07 April 2011 - 06:13 PM, said:

I worked full time..so exerting so much energy made me lose calories..Given you are on bedrest Be careful about the calories..it will make if harder to do all you want once you have the BOY!! yeah!!

You dont need an extra 20pds and the baby to carry around..when it is all done )

every 20 minutes on plane..wow!! they are gonna change the rules! lol definately do the foley girl! especially when traveling! I only do when traveling..but why not make it easier? just get the softer yellow gold kind (vs hard clear ones.so they are softer and don't cause ad..yikes.

and you will need to drink lots of water to prevent contractions..so better just not have to bother with the intermittant..for now..imo )

Pre-pregnancy I was about 105lbs and 5'7" so pretty small. We think my body is just needing the extra fat, hence the constant hungry. I've especially craved protein and fats. LOTS of cheese. I'm concerned about staying in shape but Jeremy puts a good persepctive on things for me when I'm yelling about feeling huge (already) by saying it's just Mother Nature taking her course and that this is my time to do nothing. I have my two horses and I've still be going up and exercising them and doing some VERY gentle riding (mostly just a walk around) but that's about it. I get tired soooo easily. I want to start going for walks but it's crazy how pushing around makes me exhausted.

LOL yeah the plane was funny. The flight attendants were coming to ME and asking me if it was "time to go". Air Canada is awesome. Highly recommend them for the way great way they treat people with disabilities. I've been craving lemon wedges (yup, just sucking on lemons!) and they brought me lemons all through the flight and seated me with THREE seats all to myself.

I do intermittent and definitely worried more about infection with the frequency of my peeing lately. Jeremy was the one who first suggested thinking about doing an indwelling cath. I really can't say how fabulous it is to have a partner who understands SCI and isn't grossed out by ANYTHING.

[lifeisgood]

oh ok 105 good...no real worries then ) I am 5'7 too and I weighed only 128 at 8 months..but I was pretty nausaus the whole time...hence the difficulty in gaining weight for the baby in utero.

Your partner sounds great..mine was good too though not dis..but he didnt even know I cathed lol! but nothing grossed him out..either so.all good.

This is such a wonderful time for you..mine are 18 and 2o now! lol!

You guys will make great parents..have to do a reality show! and I am serious!

Edited by lifeisgood, 07 April 2011 - 06:51 PM.

[wheelchairbarbie]

Woo it's out in the open now!

I have no advice obviously, and all I can say is being pregnant in the summer is torture!

[twisted_ophelia]

lifeisgood, on 07 April 2011 - 06:50 PM, said:

oh ok 105 good...no real worries then ) I am 5'7 too and I weighed only 128 at 8 months..but I was pretty nausaus the whole time...hence the difficulty in gaining weight for the baby in utero.

Your partner sounds great..mine was good too though not dis..but he didnt even know I cathed lol! but nothing grossed him out..either so.all good.

This is such a wonderful time for you..mine are 18 and 2o now! lol!

You guys will make great parents..have to do a reality show! and I am serious!

About the reality show... it's not that far fetched LOL! Can't say much about it other than it being very real possibility in the near future

wheelchairbarbie, on 07 April 2011 - 06:53 PM, said:

Woo it's out in the open now!

I have no advice obviously, and all I can say is being pregnant in the summer is torture!

Haha, I know, right? Finally I can just talk about it! I plan to just wear my bathing suit all summer. I'll be in San Diego and will have the ocean nearby and hopefully a place with a pool. Though, if on bedrest by then, I'll be staying inside in air conditioning. I hope I won't be stuck inside though, I want to enjoy the SoCal summer!

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 07 April 2011 - 07:14 PM.

[Chel]

I am new here, but congrats to you both; I wish you both a happy, healthy and beautiful pregnancy and birth. Take good care of you and I hope the vomiting stops soon.

[guido]

Amazing amazing AMAZING!!!!


Great news and actually incredibly interesting that you conceived naturally. So much food for thought!


Hope you enjoy the next 6 months before the whirlwind begins!


Clever you!!

[Beautiful]

WHAT THE HECK?! WHY DIDN'T "LITTLE SISTER" KNOW ABOUT THIS?!

I can't say CONGRATULATIONS enough! So exciting!

[twisted_ophelia]

Chel, on 07 April 2011 - 08:33 PM, said:

I am new here, but congrats to you both; I wish you both a happy, healthy and beautiful pregnancy and birth. Take good care of you and I hope the vomiting stops soon.

Thank you so much! I hope it stops soon too! It's not nearly as bad as it was.

guido, on 07 April 2011 - 10:32 PM, said:

Amazing amazing AMAZING!!!!


Great news and actually incredibly interesting that you conceived naturally. So much food for thought!


Hope you enjoy the next 6 months before the whirlwind begins!


Clever you!!

Thank you! Yep, we call him our miracle baby because we never in a million years expected it to happen that quickly and that easily. It really goes to show that SCI couples, especially the guys, should never give up hope. We did not do a single fertility treatments like sperm extraction and we used no drugs. I think a lot of SCI men feel that if they have ED, they won't involve their penises in sex or conception but that's a mistake, imo. It doesn't hurt to just try and use it as much as you can.

Beautiful, on 07 April 2011 - 11:31 PM, said:

WHAT THE HECK?! WHY DIDN'T "LITTLE SISTER" KNOW ABOUT THIS?!

I can't say CONGRATULATIONS enough! So exciting!

I know, I know, I'm sorry! LOL! I was seriously itching to tell all you guys and me and Jeremy had agreed to keep it extremely quiet for the first trimester. I finally felt like a balloon about to burst and also am at the point where my body is changing from the baby and I want advice from other paralyzed moms who had babies post-injury. It's insane how my body just knows what to do. And it's true what they say about baby hormones--I've turned into a nutcase. Crying, yelling, getting upset for no reason. Cuckoo! THANK GOD Jeremy has the patience of a Buddha hahaha!

[jenny407]

Hi Mimi,

Great news! Congrats -- I'm so happy for you. Yes, your guy is cute -- you're a great couple, you'll have a wonderful baby.

I wanted to tell you to ask Karen (mellowgator) but I see you are in touch. She knows a lot about these things.

As to the nausea: Some women are lucky and it's over after 3 or 4 months -- thus good luck to you, too!

Enjoy - having children is a very special experience, not to be compared to anything else. A miracle, a challenge, a joy.

Jenny

[isobar]

Congrats