Hello Ladies...I was in the early stages of labor during my last post. I gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl late on Wednesday night, January 7th! She's perfect...in every way. Her name is Gretchen Anita and was 7lbs 5oz. Bigger than we anticipated.
The birth was long and very hard and Pitocin was giving to speed it along. Ugh. I started having contractions regularly on Tuesday night around 11PM, my doctor recommended that I come into the hosptial early that next morning since my water had broke. They did a slow Pitocin drip and I was managing through the contractions, but then throughout the day it was increased since my labor was stalling. I managed through the Pitocin labor up until 6PM when the doctor informed me that I was still at 5cm and they would have to increase the Pitocin more in order to get things going. At that point I was delirious, it was already a long day so I gave into the epidural. It was great...I won't lie. My husband and I were able to sleep for a couple hours and then when the doctor came back I was 10cm and ready to push. She came out after about and hour and half of pushing. I gave it my all on the natural birth plan, but I'm happy that I had the last couple hours of no pain so I could actually focus on delivery and be in the moment...I guess it was meant to be.
I'm still in the hospital today, but should be dismissed tomorrow morning. Her bilirubins were slightly elevated, so one night on the lights should do the trick.
I'm completely in awe of this amazing experience and get emotional thinking about this journey. I was ready to give up a year ago, and things worked out in this way. Now, I can't imagine not having her in our lives. As I sit here in the hospital room with just her and I alone, I find myself wanting to freeze this moment in time. I want to etch every little moment in my brain and never forget it.
Bbliss: I understand your desire to give up on TTC. You gave it a great effort, and I think you must do whatever your heart tells you. I will miss you on this board, because we have all had different journies through this TTC process, but have learned something from each one of you. We've all experienced pains, joys, confusion, frustration, and just about every other emotion you can throw at this; it's a roller coaster ride, to say the least. I do hope for your natural pregnancy, that would be great, but if not, then enjoy your life to the fullest and know that you have so many great things to be thankful for.
