Home, but not really back. Wanna meet someone?
I’m home, but completely stoned so not really able to blog much yet. I figured I’d kept you waiting long enough, though, so here’s a quick update…
Friday, January 11, 2008
7 am - water break. 3 cm dilated, 50% effaced, -3 station, anterior cervical position.
9 am – still nothing to speak of in terms of labour, and not much water either. Some concern with colour indicating possible meconium, but primarily clear after the first bit. NICU team notified, just in case.
9:30 am – start the oxytocin drip, mild labour begins.
11 am – after several increases in oxytocin, hard labour starts around this time.
11 am – 3:30 pm – contractions get way worse, but it’s really nice to experience labour the way most people do it. Like, in the front. Very painful, but NOTHING like the back labour I had with the boy. I didn’t actually hope I would die this time.
After several checks and lots of hopes, I only go from 3 cm to 4 cm dilation in 4.5 hours of hard labour. Some of you may remember that last time when I got an epidural I went from 2 cm to 10 cm in three hours. We decided to try it again. Got the epidural around 3:30 pm and two hours later there was still no progress. To make me feel good, she stretched my cervix from 4-5 since I couldn’t feel it anyway. Now I can stay I got stuck at 5 cm instead of 4 cm. Woo hoo.
Through the entire afternoon, baby’s heart rate dropped with every contraction. This is the first sign of potential uterine rupture with a VBAC, but my OB wasn’t concerned because it was only happening with the contractions and therefore was likely from head compression. Baby’s head was elbow shaped and was trying to get out even at 3 cm dilation so there was a lot of pressure there.
6 pm – with contractions getting longer and harder, baby’s heart rate drops lower and for longer periods and begins to get risky. Still no more dilation. We are given the choice to keep trying with the likely outcome of a rushed emergency cesarean when baby’s heart rate continues to drop since there’s no more dilation at all, or to go for a non-emergent cesarean a little slower and make it a little less stressful on everyone. We elect door number two and start prepping for surgery.
Strangely, I’m totally okay with this because I knew it was a risk and didn’t want to put my baby in harm’s way at all. I just wanted to say I tried, wanted to experience “normal” contractions and wanted baby to get squeezed for lung health etc. I got all that so it’s all good.
6:25 pm – We have a daughter! 7 lbs, 8 oz. & 20.5 inches of perfection.
I didn’t actually believe it until I saw a vagina. I had no preference and was 50/50 on my guesses but apparently my subconscious thought I was having a boy. In fact, I called her “he” for two days. I think it has sunk in now, though. 
(I’m not publishing her name, but will have a naming contest soon. Start thinking of good e-nicknames for her and also for the boy. There will be prizes!)
So, I’m having trouble moving, my incision is weeping and I’m completely stoned on pain meds. But – I’m HOME! With two healthy kids and a fabulous husband. What more could a gal ask for?
I’ll be back when I am somewhat more coherent. I’m reading, but only while nursing so am not commenting much. I’m still contributing to your stats though – I promise!
Oh…you wanna see pictures? Okay then.
Precious nekkid baby. Such a miracle!
And such a girl. Keeping everyone waiting already.
Mama and baby having a snuggle.
Meeting her big brother who loves her uncontrollably.
So much so that he wanted to amputate her ear and take it with him to bed.
It didn’t come off, but he gave it his all. A for effort.
January 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Oh my goodness she’s adorable! Good for you for trying again. In the end it doesn’t matter how she came out, what matters is that she’s out for the whole family to love and adore. Congratulations!
PS – what great timing on your post! I was watching “Big Sister Dora” when your post arrived in my feed reader. LOL!
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January 15th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Dude. I got teary eyed when I read this. She is SO beautiful. Maybe she made you wait so long because she wanted to just pass by that squishy wrinkly kinda ugly newborn stage. She is seriously one of the prettiest babies I’ve ever seen! Congrats!
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January 15th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Oh she’s gorgeous…and so are you…what the hell…looking like you just stepped out of a fashion magazine in that shot?
Aren’t you supposed to have that ‘scary’ just had a baby look???
Congratulations on your new daughter…She’s gonna rock your world!
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January 15th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Perfection, absolute perfection.
I am so proud of you! How brave to try for so long and then to make the right decision for you and your baby girl!!!
Girls are so fabulous! Congratulations to you and your family!
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January 15th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Congratulations!!!!She is adorable. I love boys-obviously-but sure loved buying pink!
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January 15th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
She looks beautiful. Congratulations.
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January 15th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Congrats, congrats!!! I knew it was a girl!! So happy for you — now you have the “millionnaire” family!!! Have fun shopping for pink and congrats to the boy for becoming a big brother!!! keep us posted!!
Hugs!
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January 15th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
WOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!!
I’ve sent them on to Meg. I’m in LOVE with her name. It’s the SAME ONE I’d picked, if my ex and I had ever decided to have kids and ended up with a girl. It’s PERFECT and makes me a little emotional… 
Your east coast family/fan club are THRILLED for you all. 
YAY!!!
Thanks for the pictures.
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January 15th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Oh, she’s so perfect and beautiful! (You are too! Amazing!) I’m so glad your family is healthy and that your husband is taking care of you. I hope you heal quickly.
Congratulations!
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January 15th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
She is so lovely! And her fingers are soooo long! Thanks for the recap. Sorry it didn’t go 100% as planned, but you seem to be okay with it all and that’s what really counts.
Good work Mumma and welcome to the mother of 2 club!
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January 16th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Congrats to you all!! She is beautiful! Here’s to some quick healing for Mama.
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January 16th, 2008 at 12:05 am
She’s gorgeous!!! What a beautiful family you have. Love the picture of her and her big brother
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January 16th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Oh she is so pretty! Congratulations!!!
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January 16th, 2008 at 7:07 am
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!! Congrats!
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January 16th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Absolutely gorgeous, just like her mama! MAZEL TOV!
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January 16th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
oh congratulations! I am so very happy for you! As I pulled up your post I thought to myself “girl” but before than I had no feelings on what you were having LOL She is precious and beautiful…what a blessing you have in both of your children!
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January 17th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Ab-sol-utely gorgeous!!!!
So glad that everything went well and you were able to at least experience some contractions. Aren’t they fun
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