Her birth story is very different from that of Jack's, and I am pretty proud and have to share it. It is a little graphic so feel free to skip to the pics if you want to skip those details.
At my 39 week appointment, my doctor scheduled me for an induction on Sunday, May 23, not wanting me to go past 40 weeks. I was so hoping that she would come on her own before then, and indeed she did! I woke up about an hour after going to bed on Wednesday night at 12:30 AM to contractions. When I woke up, my water also broke! Got up, gathered my things, woke up Patrick and my Mom and off to the hospital we went. When we got to the hospital at about 2:00 AM, I was admitted and hooked up to the wireless monitor and given clearance to walk and access to my birth ball in hopes to keep things progressing. Things were progressing well for the first half of the day until I stalled out at around 9 cm. I was trying to go naturally without the epidural for many reasons. My mom made this a possibility as she coached me through the contractions. Once my progression stalled, I continued to have very strong contractions and got more tired as the day wore on. Early that evening, the doctor gave me 2 choices at this point....have a repeat c-section or start pitocin to augment my labor. I still wanted to avoid another c-section at all costs as long as the baby remained healthy and stable. The plan was to start a low dose of pitocin once my doctor made it to the hospital after seeing his patients for the day. I decided with pitocin in my near future...that I needed the epi. I got it at around 6 PM. Unfortunately, I had to get 2 because the 1st didn't take. This process was probably the most painful part of the entire day as I was having very strong contractions and it was extremely difficult to sit still. I was hoping to rest for an hour before the pit but not my luck. The epi took the edge off...but I was still in a lot of pain. At this point, I was exhausted and struggled to find my focus and get ahead of the pain. Doctor started pit at around 7 PM. A half hour later I was really struggling feeling like it was time to give up as I didn't think I could do it any longer. It was at that point that I accepted the real possibility of another section. Doctor checked me, and to my surprise I was complete, and baby was low and it was time to PUSH! The rest was easy....I was on top of the world....a real high that it is indescribable. After about an hour of pushing...she was here! I got my dream. A healthy baby girl delivered naturally. We went home the very next day and the recovery has been amazingly good!
I have so many people to thank. First of all, with out Patrick and my mom....I defintely could not have acheived this. Patrick provided the support I needed, and wouldn't let me give up in the end...encouraging me to keep fighting. My mom coached me throughout the entire 18 hour labor helping me keep my focus and get through each and every contraction. I didn't realize how important this would be, and she definitely stepped up to this challenge...not only being my loving mother but a faithful birth doula! I also have to thank Jeff for being a great grandpa and making sure Jack was taken care of and loved that day! And so many other family members and friends that were praying and thinking of us throughut that day. Thank you to each and everyone of you for the personal support you provided me that day! I will never forget May 20, 2010!
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