Thanks! Turns out, now that I do a proper conversion from grams to pounds and ounces instead of taking the hospital's word for it, that Caroline actually weighs TEN pounds and HALF an ounce!
4,550 grams. Wow.
My waters broke at 5:30pm on Saturday; I rang the delivery suite, who told me to come in that evening to be assessed. I arrived about 7pm, got checked over, told that I wasn't dilated yet and to call at 7am on Sunday to make sure they had a bed for me for an induction. Sunday morning, sure enough, got told to make our way in for 8am for an induction. They would normally have waited to induce me until Monday, but they were already full to bursting with c-sections and inductions, so knew they couldn't admit me that day and still have space for other women going into labour naturally - and they wouldn't wait until Tuesday. They started the IV for the induction at 9:25am, and Caroline was born at 5:26pm. So 8hrs and 1min to go from 1.5cm dilated and no contractions to the arrival of our beautiful second daughter. It was an intense labour; induction coupled with little miss being back to back meant for some strong contractions! Fortunately, just before crowning, she turned herself over LOL I had to have an episiotomy to avoid tearing, and I had a post-partum hemmorhage (lost about a litre of blood) but I'm absolutely fine - just on iron tablets. More importantly, Caroline is perfect
Alyssa LOVES being a big sister. She was so excited to come to the hospital with Chris on Monday morning to meet Caroline
She brought a Dumbo toy that plays lullabies as a gift for baby, and was THRILLED to discover that there was a present to her from Caroline too! She loves her "World's Best Big Sister" t-shirt too; she asked to wear it again today for the midwife visiting
Got home about 2pm yesterday, and narrowly avoided having to spend another night in the hospital. I knew we wouldn't get home Sunday night, as our hospital has a policy of discharge 6 hours after birth if all is well, but won't discharge a patient after 7pm. With the time of Caroline's arrival, we knew Monday discharge was the best we could hope for. However, when the pediatrician examined Caroline, she said it was up to the specialist in charge whether we'd have to stay until Tuesday - apparently when the waters break 24 hours or more before baby's birth, they make you stay in longer to ensure there are no complications. As my waters broke at 5:30pm Saturday and Caroline arrived at 5:26pm Sunday, they decided to let me come home! Phew!
Caroline is a much better sleeper than Alyssa was - she also has taken to breastfeeding much more quickly, although that may in large part be due to the fact that I am now classed as an "experienced mother" in that regard.
Caroline slept from 2pm till 6pm, we woke her to wash and change and feed her, then slept from about 7:30pm till 11pm. After that, she was awake until about 4:30am (as were we, but Alyssa pretty much slept through it all, little trooper!). Woke again at 5am cause she wanted to sleep on my chest, then back into her Moses basket from 5:45am till she and Alyssa both woke at 7:30am
Pretty great going, I think!
Wow, that turned out to be a bit of an essay
Thank you for all the kind thoughts and best wishes
xx
Congratulations on the birth of Caroline
bump! Congrats! 
