Mandy Cummins, age 28, a credit assistant at Ashland Inc/Valvoline 28

Pregnancy story. "Most women are truly excited after finding out they are pregnant. The hardest part for me was to make the phone call to my best friend (and sister) to share the news with her that I was going to be having a baby. You see, she and her and husband had been trying to get pregnant for over 3 years, and I got pregnant within the first month of being off birth control. I prayed to God for a miracle - that maybe my pregnancy was a mistake, and that she should be the one with child and not me. But God has other plans in our lives. I spent the whole 1st trimester with 24-hour nausea and my own guilt for being pregnant because I desperately wanted her to be the one carrying a child and not me. I experienced all the emotions as she traveled back and forth from Cincinnati to her fertility doctor and no answers as to why she could not get pregnant. They tried everything to get pregnant, except for In Vitro Fertilization, due to the cost. One day I got a call from my sister that the fertility office was doing a study on progesterone, and that she was a candidate! This meant that she would be able to get the In Vitro done! To make a long story short, she got pregnant with TRIPLETS who were delivered on December 30th! We not only got to be pregnant together, but my baby has 3 cousins! How exciting! God has truly blessed us."

What was your reaction to being pregnant? "My husband had gone on a rock-climbing trip. I suspected that I might be pregnant, but continually denied that it could happen so quick. So, I went to the store and bought a pregnancy test. I took it as soon as I got home. After the 3 minutes, I looked and the results were definitely more positive than negative. I still didn't believe it. After several hours of contemplating, I went to another store and bought a digital test. I took this one as soon as I got home. The results were instantaneous. "Pregnant" showed up after 30 seconds. I took a picture of the results with my camera. When he got home, I said, "Honey, I got some interesting news today..." Boy was my husband shocked when he saw the picture of the positive test. It took a visit to the doctor, another pregnancy test, and a blood test to finally make me believe that we were in fact going to have a baby."

Did you decide to find out the sex of your baby? "I truly love the fact that my husband and I decided early on that we would not find out the sex until he/she was born. I had to have a C-section, and when the doctor told me it was a baby girl and held her over the drape, I just cried. When my husband walked out of the delivery room with our baby girl in his arms, all the family was standing there in anticipation waiting for the announcement. I would do it again in a heartbeat!"

Do you have any advice for women in early pregnancy? "The nausea and sickness does get better! The end result makes it all worth it. People tried to tell me that, and I never believed it until I held my baby in my arms for the first time! The anticipation of being a new mom is normal, but it is the best thing ever!"

Any struggles during this pregnancy? "I was very blessed by God that I did not have any serious issues during my pregnancy until the 37th week. The baby was measuring 40-42 weeks with an estimated weight of 9lb 10oz. I spiked a 6lb weight gain in a week, I had protein in my urine, and my blood pressure spiked very high. They were able to deliver by C-section with no problem."

How did you prepare? "I don't think I was ever truly prepared. I took the child birthing classes, my husband and I got the baby's room together, and were given several showers. I had the baby's diaper bag together. I even picked out an outfit for a boy and a girl. However, I never packed a bag for myself! After all was said and done, I am glad I wasn't fully prepared because I think it would have made me more nervous."

Tell us about your labor. "On Monday, October 13, I got up, went to work, had a baby shower at work, went to my 37 week appointment, got admitted to the hospital, and broughd an 8lb. 11oz. baby girl, Paislee Jane, all in one day! I never truly went into labor, although I was having braxton hicks contractions that I never realized I was having until they put me on a monitor. I always thought I would have a vaginal delivery. Having a C-section never entered my head since I was prepared for actual labor. However, the experience was positive, and all the nurses in labor/delivery and mother/baby were awesome! Breastfeeding within the 1st hour of delivery was a positive experience, especially that I have been able to continue nursing her. After being released from the hospital, we did have to take her back for 48 hours under a bili light for jaundice. Being exhausted and not being able to be at home was hard, but we made it through."

Did you have any unexpected feelings or emotions? "I have been an emotional mess! I looked at my husband at one point and told him that I could literally think about something and be able to cry. Even now, I think breastfeeding has still made me emotional."

Helpful resources (books, websites)? "What to Expect When You're Expecting, Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy, National Geographic DVD "In the Womb", and Babycenter.com."

Plans for maternity leave? "I planned on being off work until the first full week of January 2009, but ended up returning back the week of Christmas for a couple of shorter weeks due to the holidays. I sympathize with all the new moms out there that have had to go back to work. It is awful! I look forward to the end of the day to come home to my little girl."

Healthcare provider: Lexington Women's Health

Hospital: Central Baptist

Thanks to Lexington Aesthetics for sponsoring free gifts!