So...here we go.
I had Braxton Hicks contractions for a few months before Everleigh was born. Apparently that made me ready for labor a lot more easily than normal. By the time I went into the hospital to have her, I was 7cm dilated and 90% effaced, without having regular, intense labor contractions. I had contractions for about 5 days straight that were relatively frequent and somewhat uncomfortable, but nothing like labor contractions. My OB told me it was "the good Lord being nice to you." I laughed and agreed.
I went to my OB on Tuesday January 29th, and was 6cm, 50% effaced. In other words, I was halfway to where I needed to be to deliver. But I wasn't really in labor yet. My OB told me I could come in the next morning to be induced if I hadn't gone into labor naturally, because I'd be 39 weeks, and I was practically already ready anyway. So I came in at about 7:45am the next morning, January 30th. They got me all checked in and ready, and I was getting even closer to delivering, without really being in active labor.
My OB checked me at 9:00am, and decided that if she broke my water, I'd be delivering within hours. So she broke my water, and said she'd be close by for when things started happening.
An hour later, I was pushing, and at 10:34am, Everleigh was born. I managed to deliver her naturally with no pain meds and no major issues. She was 8lbs, 15oz, 20.5 inches long. She was prefect. She came out and started crying almost immediately, voicing her opinion already. She is beautiful, and we feel inordinately blessed to have her here with us.
I can tell you, I was a bundle of mixed emotions going into the hospital that morning. It was a Wednesday morning, and we got there just before 8am. I went in with Caroline on a Wednesday morning around 8am. Obviously the outcome was very different, but it was a little crazy to be having that kind of deja vu feeling. God granted me a lot of peace throughout the whole labor and delivery process. I was nowhere near as nervous as I thought I'd be, but I also felt a little detached from the whole experience, almost like I was watching myself go through it instead of actually going through it. I think that might have been God's grace to me so that I wouldn't freak out too much.
My mom and sister were able to come in for E's birth, and that was special. My mom is just such a great coach during labor. I don't know what I'd do without her. My hubby was also great. He was there with me every step of the way and handled everything really well. Seeing his face when he got to hold her for the first time was priceless. After losing Caroline, holding our baby girl took on a whole new meaning for us. It's always a miracle to watch a birth happen, and it's awe inspiring to hold that precious new life the first time, but for us, it was even more exciting because of what we lost previously. We took so many pictures. Haha.
Tomorrow, E will be 3 weeks old. She has already become such an integral part of our lives that I can't imagine life without her. We are exhausted and still getting used to having her home, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. She is so precious to us.
And without further ado, here are some pictures. Thanks for sharing this part of our journey with us.
