The birth story

I was supposed to be induced on Friday but I changed my mind and moved the induction day back, hoping that somehow I'd go into labor on my own. But after my appt on Thursday and being told I'd only progressed not even a full centimeter in two weeks, I started to freak out that my baby would be born too close to Christmas. I tried to move the induction date to the 21st, but they were full. The nurse was very kind and gave me ideas on how to induce labor on your own. Then she called back and said the midwife would be willing to strip my membranes if I came in right then. I rushed right in, only to wait at the office for 45 minutes. When she checked me I was 4+. The stripping didn't hurt at all and the cramping started soon thereafter. I laid down to rest with Anna, and the cramps weren't doing much. By three, they were coming every 3 minutes, but not at all painful. Doug got pulled away from seeing the movie he was so excited for at the last minute. We headed down to the hospital where I was sure we were going to get turned away and sent home because they contractions were no longer 3 minutes apart. When she checked me around 4:30 I was at a 5+. Can I tell you how much I hate the + they have decided to add to my measurements all the time? They started me on the antibiotics. Then, when they were done Doug and I started walking the halls. The contractions were very manageable which would have been great if I hadn't been expecting another Anna labor. When they checked me around 6:30, I was 6cm. Which I had been hours ago. I started to get impatient...But as long as I walked during the contractions and didn't have anyone talking to me, the contractions almost didn't even hurt. The midwife came back and talked me into breaking my waters after the second dose of antibiotics. Well, actually, she said she'd do it 15 minutes before but she lied. She told me that to try and get me to keep going. By that time I'd been walking the halls for 4 hours and I almost asked for an epidural because I was tired of walking. But if I sat down the contractions were worse. Anyway, I got the second dose of antibiotics and she checked me. I was at an 8. At 9pm she broke my water.Two contractions later I was feeling pushy and found to be 9 1/2 cm with an anterior lip. So I pushed through the lip and I think I pushed 6 times and she was there. She was as big as we were expecting. She was mad for a while, though I can't imagine being out was very nice. The kids love her and my MIL has helped me be able to spend some wonderful one on one time with her. I love her sleeping with the eyes open that all my kids have done. I love their hands, how they have no control over them and seem to be amazed when they move. I love the noises that they make when they realize they're finally getting food. I love how they smell and I love how small she is.

Genevieve

Born December 17th at 9:17 pm weighing 8lbs 5 oz, 20 1/2 inches.

Sick

Two of my kids have come down with the stomach flu so turns out it's a good thing I'm not getting induced tomorrow

Progress, well sorta

I had an appointment today after two weeks without one. I was expecting change. Last time I was 3cm, 80% and -1 station. Today she said 3+, 90% effaced and still -1 station. So, I effaced 10% more. I mean, really? That hardly even counts. I asked her what 3+ means and she says that most times when you tell a patient they're 4 cm dilated they freak out and think they have to be admitted to the hospital right away cuz they're in labor. So I guess I'm really 4 cm, but the 3+ sounds better. I don't know. I have another appt on Monday, which seems kinda silly to have one 4 days from now. Maybe I'll move my induction to Tuesday. My induction is now schedule for Wed the 22nd. Don't ask me why I changed it, I'm hormonal. Doug had a test he needed to take on Tuesday and that's a day after my due date. But the pediatrician would not let me leave until Christmas Eve, which seems to ruin some plans. Anyway, I don't know what I'm doing but I thought I'd update.

Most pregnant I've ever been

I am now officially more pregnant than I've ever been. Somehow it's not that great of a milestone to reach. Still feel it's going to be a little while

Beat ya sucker

That's the text Doug got from his coworker. His wife is due ten days after me and is in labor right now. I came down the stairs tonight Doug turned to me and said, "You're not gonna like this."

On a happier note, our super neighbors brought this over today.

It was so unexpected and totally made my day.

Scheduled

So I found out this last week that I am Group B strep positive, which means I have to get antibiotics during labor. They want the antibiotics given twice in four hours. The only problem is my labors are not usually that long. I'm not due til the 21st, but really, who wants their birthday on the 21st of December? They'd get the whole, oh "here's your birthday and Christmas present" deal all their life. Everyone I've talked to who has their birthday around that times says that's what happens. I know that getting the antibiotics is best for the baby and I only want what's best. So I've scheduled an induction for the 15th of December. Time to be determined the day before. This way I can guarantee all the antibiotics. But I really wanted to go into labor on my own this time. I was so excited for it, the whole when would labor start? At that point I'll be 39w1d, the most pregnant I've ever been. My water broke with Charlotte at 37 weeks. With Ben I was also GBS + and they induced me at 38w2d. With Anna I made it to 38w5d and went into labor on my own. Anyway, I'm having a hard time with this. Deep down I know I won't go into labor on my own before that. My pregnancy has been so different this time around that I know I won't have an early labor like I have with the others. Also, my MIL is coming down to stay on the 14th to help out. The 15th would be perfect and safest and best for my baby. When I called to schedule the induction the nurse was like, "You do know this is an elective induction right?" Almost started crying right then. It makes me feel so guilty. I know that having a date scheduled makes everything easier. Babysitters for the kids, Doug has work off scheduled, etc. But I just feel like I'm admitting defeat doing it this way. Ok, had to get this all off my chest. Thanks Ok, just found out that Charlotte has a school Christmas presentation on the 16th so we're moving it to the 17th. I figure if I'm going to have the luxury of scheduling it I'd like not to miss important things like my daughter's Christmas singing!