I am a Mother

I have one daughter, Nicole. She was born when I was 17. I had no idea what to expect throughout the whole process.

I first discovered my condition about 3 months into the 9 month ride. Right after a wild ride at the fair made me puke...or was it her?

I had already broken up with her father. He was off to college at NAU to get a degree. I let him be. He had plans and goals that my news may interrupt. He is a part of her life now, and a great father to her.

I got the chicken pox when I was 7 months pregnant. MAN oh MAN, what a miserable thing to suffer through while pregnant. My doctor assured me that my child would be fine, she was passed the danger point of exposure.

About the time I was due to deliver her I was still pregnant and had only gained 14 pounds. I weighed in at a whopping 132 pounds! My doc thought this was odd and ordered an ultra sound. Now, in the mid 80's these things were pretty rustic. After the exam they told me that my daughter was a son and I would be lucky if HE weighed 5 pounds.

A week later I went for a routine appointment and was asked if I had been having contractions. HUH? I dunno! I don't think so. Hmmm how was I to know? I knew nothing other than I had ginormous boobs and my stomache protruded almost as far as they did...that's about it. Well, I was informed that the hardening of my belly every night as I lay in bed playing solitaire was infact contractions and I was dilated to 9 cm! Seriously? 9cm? The doctor then stated in a very stern tone that unless I started hard labor over night I should meet him at the hospital the very next morning at 8 am.

My mom drove me to the hospital the next morning. By the time I was settled into the labor room (In those days they had separate rooms for everything!) it was 9 am. Doc checked me and told me he would be back about noon to check on me again. I was feeling nothing. Not a twinge. They had ruptured my membranes by this time. I am doubting my doc made it across the bridge to his office by the time I told the nurse I needed to push. Now, remember I knew nothing, but knew my body was telling me to push! I had no idea that is what I would be feeling. She thought I was nuts, but checked anyhow......oh dear, the look on that poor woman's face after she raised the sheet! My baby's head was coming out!

My doc made it back across the bridge in time to catch my dear daughter. She arrived at 10:20 am weighing in at a pretty good size of 7 lbs 8 ozs....a far cry from the 5 lbs predicted! One hour and 2o minutes after my arrival at the hospital NOT in labor!

Oh dear, my life turned topsy turvy then. I had no idea how to be a mother. I was still a child. I figured it all out eventually though and she brought me much joy.

Nicole was an amazing child. She was so beautiful. Such bright blue eyes that eventually took the shade of light green close to her father's. She is graceful and innocent. Kind and generous. Loving and gentle. She has grown to be an amazing mother. I am sometimes in awe of her ability to be so patient with her two young girls. I am so proud of her and how she has grown into a wonderous young woman.

She continues to bring me much joy as she has entered adulthood. What an awesome woman she is. I can't imagine my life without her.