CAL'S Birthday

is right around the corner, and I always think about my pregnancy at this time of the year. Basically CAL is lucky to be alive.

The pregnancy was a disaster from day one. I found out I was pregnant and immediately went to the doctor because I had suffered a miscarriage months before. The prenatal vitamins that they gave me made me sicker than a dog, but of course we didn't realize that for months.

In NY state they run this test on you. It is called the triple marker test. CAL's came back extremely abnormal and I had to have an amino done. The amino test ripped the sack and I lost all my fluid. I was only 5 months pregnant at the time. I was admitted to the hospital and on strict bed rest for two weeks. Long story short, CAL was a very small baby. The amino test disaster basically never let him grow to be a big strong baby. He was fighting for his life from the very beginning. I had weekly ultrasounds for five months looking for growth and signs of distress.

I was in my eighth month that the doctor finally decided to tell me there was something wrong with the baby. He was VERY small. Needless to say I did not get very big. The ultra sound determined CAL was about 5 lbs 9 oz. They said the test was accurate to within a couple oz. WRONG. CAL was 4 lbs 9 oz when he was born. He was not a preemie.

On the positive side I never required stretch mark cream for this pregnancy. However, I gain a ton of weight. I fell into the trap that I was eating for two and frankly ate for eight. There is nothing more unattractive (at least in my case) than a FAT pregnant woman. Of course you gain weight but it should be baby weight.

I know that CAL is a miracle baby. He is my one and only. We have tried for years to have more. No luck. Because of my age (almost 39) and my husbands age (I won't say) we have given up hope. I originally wanted four children. Oh well.

If stretch marks are a concern for you try this blog that I found, Divas-blog, they have tried multiple products and give you a review. I found some of the results very interesting and informative.