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Working Mom and pregnant, too

I am currently 31 weeks pregnant on my second child. Mostly I feel wonderful ... when I'm not tired. But then its hard not to be tired when you are out of bed by 6 a.m., leave home at 7:30 (earlier if I can get out the door) and not get back home until 5:30 on an early day. Add on to that is a 3 year old who has to be entertained, bathed, taken to day care, fed, etc. etc.

My job is stressful. I sell insurance to businesses for a living. I'm wondering if I should finish work early. There are nights that I cry when my daughter cries becuase I'm tired and frustrated and I can't help her with whatever it is that she wants. I give her what I think she needs but at this stage in my pregnancy I can't always give her what she wants and what I'd like to be able to do for her. Anyone have any similar experiences to share with me? Maybe some free advice? I'm so tired and frustrated that any comments are welcome.

Pauline ... Soooo Tired!

Late term loss

All through my pregnancy, things were going the way they should. At 18 weeks, I had the AFP test, there was spina bifida in my family and I wanted to screen for it. It came back high risk for spina bifida so I had a level II sonogram the very next day.

Thankfully, there were no physical problems with our baby, she was active, showing a stubborn streak and was measuring a little smaller, but within normal ranges. We left the office a lot happier than we went in. It was our first pregnancy, you think, once you get through the first trimester, nothing can go wrong, and that was a horrible scare. Just to confirm, we scheduled a second sonogram three weeks later.

This time, at 22 weeks, the doctor saw some major markers for a chromosomal disorder - a single umbilical cord, a multicystic kidney, minor heart defect and our baby was now measuring 2 1/2 weeks behind. We were devastated and had an amnio that day. The results came back a few days later - full trisomy 18, or Edwards syndrome, and full Turners syndrome. I'd never heard of either until I had done some research into chromosomal abnormalities over the weekend. Edwards syndrome was 'not compatible with life'

We were given the opportunity to terminate, but we decided to let our baby girl choose her own time to leave us. Four weeks later, another follow-up sonogram showed that she had passed away. I was 26 weeks pregnant and my baby girl was the size of a 21 week baby. We had hoped that she would make it to term and we would get to meet her before she passed away, but we know now that she didn't suffer and we were saved from having to make all kinds of heart breaking decisions about her care and death after birth.

I miss her every day, she looked so much like her Dad. We named her Arily and took pictures to send to family living in Europe because they never got to meet her. She'd be just over a month old now, and I still cry for her every day, wondering, if she had survived, what she'd be able to do now and about the little personality we'd be getting to know right now.

I know that I'll miss her for as long as I live and will always wonder what she would have been like if this terrible disorder hadn't ended her life before it began.

Jean Kinsella

three

I am 22 yrs old and 36 weeks pregnant. I already have a 5 and 6 yr old boy. when I found out that I was having a girl I was so excited. My due date is the 4th of Sept but I 'm having a planned c-section on the 28th of Aug.

I feel blessed becasue God has blessed me with 2 boys and now a daughter. I honestly have to say that although the time is almost here, the last days seem to drag.

Congrats to all the expecting moms and good luck on your new arrival !!!!

Crystal Harris

third trimester blues

Now I know what people mean when they say they cant wait till its over.

Heartburn is at an all time high. I look at my husbands spaghetti plate and salivate. Gone are those days of tomato sauce and garlic butter. I know they say it is all worth it in the end and I cant wait to see the prize at the end of this long journey.

first time mom

Waiting for Aidan to come...

I am 32 years old and 28 weeks pregnant with my second son. My first son is will be 9 years old in November and I'm excited about having this baby!

As you can tell it has been a while. I do wish circumstances were better with his father. Although I've been dealing with this pregnancy without his emotional support, I know that in the end there is nothing like the love of a child. So now my little family is growing and we're looking forward to meeting Aidan soon. Although this has been a good pregnancy, it's a lot different than it was with my first son.

This pregnancy I have to deal with horrific heartburn, frequent urination and the complete inability to sleep. But I know this is mild in comparison to the other discomforts. So now as I enter my third trimester, my family and I are preparing for his arrival. But I wanted to say to all the single moms out there to hang in there and let the love of the children motivate you to achieve your dreams.

Believe me, there's always room for love.

Sherita