On Tuesday night, 11/2, I went to bed nice and early in hopes of sleeping well. That night I woke up several times. Once because I was incredibly nauseas, so I went and took some zofran. The next time I woke with terrible hip pain and contractions, so got up and took some tylenol. The contractions continued, but only sporadically. This was not abnormal for me. I contracted throughout the last few weeks painfully here and there. My body just likes to fake me out, so I continued to sleep (or try to anyways) through them. The baby was moving great all night regardless. The next morning, I was supposed to be in the OR all morning. The scary thing was that the baby just kind of stopped moving and I didn't feel her move all morning. I was nervous about it, so I went up and ultrasounded myself and luckily the baby's heart was still ticking away, but it was still being very quiet. By lunch time, I still wasn't feeling her move, so I decided to head into the doctor where they did some fetal monitoring. Her heart rate looked somewhat odd, almost like she had an arrhythmia which she had never had before (she was still an it at this point to us). I was sent into labor and delivery for prolonged monitoring and potentially an induction. Once I got to labor and delivery, the baby started moving more regularly and the heart rate monitoring looking much more reassuring. Scott and I and several doctors chatted and discussed all options. My cervix was favorable at 3cm dilated and with a healthy baby and a planned elective induction for 3 days away anyway, we decided to just go for it since her movement pattern was a bit bizarre that day. It was not an easy decision to say the least. Deciding to force your baby out of you turns out to be a pretty big scary decision. I was so happy to have so many great, supportive docs and nurses around me because they made making the decision much easier.
We started the induction at 4 pm with pitocin. Almost immediately, I began contracting every couple minutes. By 5:30, the contractions were painful, and by 6pm, I decided to get my epidural. Again, so thankful for modern medicine. I took a little while to get comfortable with the epidural because my cervix was changing so quickly. I went from about 5cm to 9cm over the course of an hour and broke my water. Luckily, I had my amazing hubby, a great nurse, and wonderful CRNA sitting with me until I got comfortable. We never even had to use that much pitocin. This baby was ready to come out if you ask me. By 7pm, I was comfy cozy and laughing again. At 7:30pm, I was complete and began pushing. Then, at 7:43pm, sweet Avery was born. Scott announced the gender, which took him a second :). She was just perfect. Immediately, we loved her so much and felt so lucky to have such a beautiful healthy girl joining our family. She was 20inches long and 7lbs 2 oz. Smaller than miss Vi, who weighed 7lbs 9oz. I feel very blessed that everything went so smoothly and that I work at a hospital with such outstanding nurses, doctors, and co-residents. I wouldn't choose to deliver anywhere else. And Scott, yet again, was so incredible, supporting me and encouraging me throughout the pain and labor- I really couldn't ask for a better partner.
The first two weeks have been what we expect out of a newborn. Some sleepless nights, but the nursing has gone well and we are slowly getting into a pattern. We put Avery down at 8:30 or 9pm and then she wakes up or we wake her at 2am and then again at 6am. She sleeps in her room already. Avery is so incredibly strong. She has so much head control and her arms are wild! She is gonna be one feisty lady. She loves to be held and snuggled/swaddled. Violet is not super into her yet, but she is slowly warming up to the idea of a sister.
It is strange to be a family of four, but I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by so much love. This will be quite an adjustment, getting two kids ready, feeding them/nursing, traveling with them... I have a new respect for moms who have more than 2 while I struggle to take care of just 2!
Thank you again to everyone who was involved and helped take care of me. It was a wonderful experience because of you all!
This is a picture of me working just after I delivered lol. I couldnt resist.
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