The story . . .

After I had Hannah, if anyone would have asked if I would ever be induced again my answer would have been no way. It was no fun. Labor itself isn't any fun but being stuck in a hospital bed for who knows how long without really being able to work through labor isn't really how I pictured Charlottte's birth and yet, that is how it happened. I even had the choice to do it or not.

So Charlotte was induce a week early. The reason, probably mostly because my doctor was due four days after me and feeling very sympathetic to my end of pregnancy lack of patience. The other, my babies are big. Hannah was 9 lbs 6 oz. and Jonathan was 8 lbs 13 oz, and he was 10 days early.

So, Thursday, October 21, I got up early to get a shower and spend a few quiet moments by myself before we went to the hospital. My induction was scheduled for 9 am. at about 6:45 we got a call from the hospital telling us to sit tight. I decided to make some yummy muffins. Just as I was getting the muffins into the oven at 8:15 the hospital called back and said to come on in at 9. I didn't get to enjoy any warm muffins. I was really disappointed.

We waited a bit in the hospital. Apparently, there quite a few little ones who decided the 21st was a good day to get here. By 10 my nurse had start my pitocin and antibiotics and then we just waited and waited and waited. I really expected things to move pretty quickly but they didn't. I had come in dilated to about a 3 and about 60% effaced. By noon I wasn't any more dilated and only 15% more effaced.

Around 12:30 or 1 my contractions started requiring a bit of concentration but weren't really terrible. My doctor came in at 1 and nothing had really changed. By 2 my contractions were requiring a lot of concentration and I didn't know how I was going to get through it but I was determined not to get an epidural. By that time I was dialted to 5 cm and I just couldn't bear the thought of still having halfway to go. Finally, I just thought why? Why go through this pain when I don't have to? I'm ok with hospitals and medicine. I don't have to prove anything to anyone. So, I got my epidural about 2:30. The nurse waited a bit to put in the catheter.

By then my contractions had ramped up enough that I didn't really think the epidural was very effective. After the nurse put in the catheter, I started to have some really acute pain, I thought was the catheter. Everyone thought that once my contractions got really strong I would have Charlotte really fast so everything was ready and doctor had said that if I felt anything odd or noticed any difference to let the nurse know. I told her about the pain and she figured it was the baby and checked me.

I was dilated to an 8! She had put the catheter in at 3 pm and I was at a 5 then, 2 minutes later I was at an 8. She called my doctor and told her to get over to the hospital. By 3:05 I was complete. I had dilated 5 cm in 5 minutes. Whoa. Well my doctor finally got to the room. Waiting for her felt like an eternity. I should have just had the nurses deliver Charlotte. After all, I'm the one that really does all the work.

Just kidding. Charlotte was born at 3:12 pm and was just perfect. I felt really good then and I have ever since. For the first time after having one of my kids, I remember conversations and the things that were going on in the delivery room. I talked to my doctor and we joked around about giving her the rest of my pitocin so she could have her baby.

We all finally got to my postpartum room around 6pm. Hannah and Jonathan came with Grandma around 6:30. It was so good to see them. I really missed them while I was at the hospital. I would have loved to have gone home Friday but everyone said I should wait until Saturday morning.

Charlotte had been doing just fine. She sleeps between 4 and 6 hours at night and has done since she was 4 days old. She is more awake everyday and we all just love her. I have felt really good. My mom was here for two weeks and we had a great time going out and playing with the kids. Life is going well. Charlotte just kind of fell into her place in our lives. She's a great blessing and we are so glad to have her.

I can't really express how good an experience this has been. I don't know if it's been my physical health, my attitude, my preparations or a combination of everything put together. I just know that I am enjoying my family, all four other members of it.