Giving birth, round two

I read a blog post today about being gracious about each other's birth choices, rather than voicing our opinions about pro-this or pro-that. Because frankly, who wants to feel like they have to justify themselves about their kid's birth story, one way or the other? No one should.

Things went very, very well this time. I'm so thankful for how everything turned out!

I'd been 3 cm dilated and mostly effaced for over a week by Saturday morning when my doctor was on call, so we decided to schedule an induction. She thought all she'd have to do is break my water, so that sounded good. The nurse actually started to get out pictocin, but I asked her to remind my doctor about breaking my water first instead, and a few minutes later that's what they did. (Always ask - I'm not very good about that, but sometimes it's important!)

It took about an hour maybe to start getting good contractions going, but once they came, they *really* came. I don't remember them being so painful and intense with Kaylen - they were just bearable then, if I held on to Jason. I think this time my head also wasn't in the game, so to speak. I was almost jumping up and down with excitement when we finally got to go to the hospital, but i wasn't feeling the constant contractions that get you ready for the intense stuff. And once it really hit, I don't think my brain had time to be prepared. 

So i felt about ready to lose it, almost crying (which is saying a lot, because I do have a pretty high tolerance to pain), and I wanted an epidural IMMEDIATELY. And i think they got that epidural to me about as fast as humanly possible, but it was an agonizing wait. Hurry, hurry, I'm not going to make it! 

I've always been scared of needles and doubly scared of getting one in my spine, and i really didn't want a catheter either, but i'm glad pain conquered my fears. :) I don't know what else to say except that it was amazing. Within a few minutes my legs were numb, contractions were bearable, and I was able to laugh and start enjoying this birthing business.

Not long after, our moms showed up. They didn't have long to wait - i went from 6 cm getting the epidural to 9 cm not long after. Fast enough, in fact, that I didn't have to have a scary catheter....

It did take a little while pushing; the nurse had to tell me not to push with my face (while I was holding my breath)! But it was completely different than last time. A good 5-6 times of pushing, not an hour. And i could focus on what was going on around me, talk to the nurse and doctor. And when i asked whether Penelope's head was out yet, the nurse grabbed my hand and stuck it down there for me to feel a gross, slimy bump that was indeed the very top of a head. That was an oddly emotional and very motivating thing. So a couple more pushes and she was out! I loved that they set her on me immediately this time while they dried her off. In fact, I cried a little. (Crying is much better than being distracted for the next  20 minutes by the doctor stitching you up, which is what happened the first time.)

So there it is. I honestly think things went perfectly and am so happy with the experience. St. V's is a great hospital, and my doctor and nurse (JoAnn) were fantastic. And Jason was, as always, strength for me to hold on to. I'm so glad I got to enjoy the experience more this time in the end, because I'm sure he enjoyed it more too once I wasn't in agony! Quite seriously, thank God for an epidural. 

And now we have another sweet, sweet newborn daughter. Who actually eats well and sleeps well. I feel like David in Psalm 23 - my cup runs over with blessings. 

(Although I could use more sleep and need to work on patience, too! :) )