Doodle's Birth Story

I had an appointment to be induced on the 16th. I had to call to get a time from Labor and Delivery starting at six am. I called and they said it was really busy, but that there were several babies that they were waiting for that looked like they'd come soon. Well, the whole day went that way and we finally got in at 3 pm. I wasn't too happy about delivering in the middle of the night, but I wanted to have my baby, so we went with it. After all, the next day would probably be the same.

So, off we went to the hospital. We were lucky to get in even then, since a new rush of babies decided it was time to come after we got there.

I was started on Pitocin at 4:30 and we started the boredom! I spent a while watching TV and talking to Aaron.

At 6, my doctor came in and broke my water. He told the nurse I could have an epidural any time I wanted after that, since I was committed to go all the way to delivery at that point. I waited until about 7:30, since I knew the anesthesiologist was in taking care of a mom having a C-section. I felt like a wimp, but hey, I didn't want to wait so long like I did with Princess. With her, it was so hard to stay still for the epidural. I got really lucky, because the doctor was about to go into another C-section. Then, I felt mostly great. I didn't get as numb with this one as I did previously, but it was enough. I could feel a lot of pressure as well as just about everything else, but pain. I had a little bit of back labor, but it wasn't too bad, either. (The one thing to go completely numb, or almost, was my bum. It was numb and painful at the same time!)

At that point, I was dilated to 4 cm. The nurse would check on my periodically, but they mostly left me alone for the next hour and a half. She came and checked to see how close I was to delivery again at 9 pm. We were all amazed that I was dilated to 10 cm already!! The nurse had to rush to get everything ready and get my doctor there in time. Once the doctor got there and ready, I was able to start pushing. I only had to push for about 15-20 minutes before Doodle was here. I was amazed that the doctor started talking about how much hair the baby had and then about a shoulder. It all happened so fast that it took a lot of time for it to seem real. It took almost more time to deliver the placenta than the baby.

She has had very few problems. We had to have her bilirubins checked for a few days and she has a clogged tear duct. (Both are getting better.)

I am also feeling great! I can't believe how quickly I am healing this time. I healed quickly with Princess, but this is just crazy. I just have to be careful not to over do things, since I don't feel too bad anymore.

We are figuring each other out. So far, every night and day has been different. There is no real routine, but we are getting by. She just thinks that she needs to eat constantly, during the day!

Link and Princess think Doodle is wonderful. They always want to hold her and are very willing to get anything I need for her. They are great. Even the dog is fine with her. She spent some time sniffing her and now she ignores her for the most part.

This was a great pregnancy, physically. It was a lot harder emotionally. I was really hormonal, demanding, cranky and mean at times during the first and third trimesters. I called myself Crazy Wife. It was really unpredictable and weird. About as soon as Doodle was born, I felt nicer and more in control of my emotions. I am generally an even-tempered person, so I really hated this side effect!! Right now, I am glad to not be pregnant and I am not sure if I want to do it again. I'm glad it isn't a decision we have to make right away, or there would be a lot more only children in the world.