Hey ladies!
Ok, so my protein and blood pressure was higher again at my OB apt Monday afternoon, so my OB sent me to the hospital to be induced. She had already scheduled an induction for Wednesday morning, but wanted it done earlier since my numbers were declining. So I met DH at home and we grabbed our bags!
I was between 3-4cm when we were admitted and started the pitocin at 7pm. Some strong cramping, but by 2am I had only progressed to 4cm, so the doctor broke my water. I IMMEDIATELY started having really strong contractions and asked for an epidural right away. (I know pain tolerance varies, but I'm in awe of whoever can give birth without pain meds! After about six strong contractions I thought I was going to die!) The epidural took an unexpectedly long time to fully kick in, but once it did, I couldn't feel ANYTHING. At 5am (three hours after breaking my water), my nurse checked me... and I was fully dilated and Lauren was almost crowning. I was shocked because I had felt NOTHING!! I pushed for one hour and she was born at 6:12am. (20 inches long and weighing 7 pounds 4 oz.)
I had second degree tearing and a moderate hemorrhage afterwards (and had been awake for 36 hours straight at that point), so that sucked. It was AMAZING having her put on my chest and seeing her face for the first time. DH and I both bawled our eyes out lol. I do wish I had a little more sleep/was in a little less pain because after the initial bonding, I really just wanted to eat and sleep... I found it hard to be as involved with her as I wanted to be.
So, now she's about to be two days old and everything is great. She is PERFECT and passing every test with flying colors. The stitches from my tearing still really hurt, but I'm starting to feel better too. We're going home tomorrow morning and both DH and I are excited/terrified to be home alone with her as a family!
DH has been unbelievable. He would kill me for telling anyone all of this, but he's cried over her do many times already. I looked over one time this afternoon and he was crying. I asked him why and he said he was just thinking about her first day of school!
she has him COMPLETELY wrapped around her finger... I've never seen him so in love. And he said he is surprised at how much more in love he feels with me now, having watched me born and given birth to our child. Seeing how moved he is and watching him cradle her to sleep in his arms has really made me realize how lucky I am to have him as a partner!
So anyway, sorry for the novel! You should all be up to speed now! I can't wait to hear updates from all of you and I'll let you know how things go once we get back home! And I'll post a picture of her once I get home too!
Thank you all so much for all of the support along this journey. It's really been such a pleasure to get to know you all and I couldn't imagine being here without you!!
with Sloane in there 
i am very very positive about this year for me! 
