I found out that I was pregnant on September 27, 1996, one day after my 19th birthday. I was happy but very scared. I had an uneventful pregnancy -- I had morning sickness maybe three times. I went to my regular scheduled appointment on May 20, 1997. At the appointment, I was told that the baby did not have very much amniotic fluid around her, and that they would have to induce me the next day. My doctor performed an ultrasound before I left and said that the baby was maybe 6 pounds. He told me that if I did not feel her move many times, to go directly to the hospital.

At 9 that night, I paged my husband, who was in the police academy, and he rushed home. We arrived at the hospital at 10 p.m. and I explained to the nurse what my doctor had told me. She checked me, and I was dilated 2 centimeters. She said that she would be inducing my labor, at which point, I became frightened -- I had never given birth, and I had heard so many stories about how bad the pain is. She induced me at 11:30 p.m. and around 2:30 a.m., I started having trouble breathing, and the baby's heart rate was elevated, so I was put on oxygen. Around 5 a.m., I was given an epidural, which after I received, couldn't feel anything. I delivered Taylor Alexis at 7:46 a.m., on May 21, 1999, (after three minutes of pushing), and her birth weight was 7 pounds, 3 ounces and she was 19 1/2 inches.

To all mothers to be out there, labor is not that bad (at least not for me). I can't wait to do it again. As I write this, Taylor is 2 years old. And by the way the midwife who delivered Taylor said there was plenty of fluid around her -- my regular doctor didn't even show up for the birth.