Well, the due date for Harper was July 9. On Tuesday, July 15 we went in for an induction appointment at the hospital at 8 pm. To induce me, they did what is called a 'Foley' procedure. Basically, it is a balloon catheter inserted into my cervix to encourage dilation. It didn't hurt. It just felt like a normal exam. I think they chose to do this because I had not dilated or effaced at all. They told us that normally after this procedure is done it takes about 6 hours to be dilated to 3 cm. Well, after 2 hours I was dilated to 5 cm and effaced 75%. It was great! Right after they induced me, I started labor. So I labored for those 2 hours and then I got an IV for pain around midnight. That lasted for about 2 hours (in which I slept) and then it wore off. I was still having regular contractions that were pretty intense so I decided to have an epidural. I got the epidural around 2 am and I was able to sleep through most of the labor. I woke up around 11 or 11:30 am and I was having really intense contractions and I was feeling the urge to push. I started pushing at about 12:30 and Harper was born at 12:57 in the afternoon. She weighed 7 lbs 12 oz and was 20 inches long. (We had her 2 week check up today and she is now 9 lbs and 22 inches long!)
I did have to have an episiotomy so that I wouldn't tear upward. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be though. I have healed very quickly from it.
Everything went so well and I am so glad! Ryan was the best coach I could have asked for. Every contraction I had to go through (that I actually felt) he was right by my side helping me breathe and letting me squeeze his hand. My mom was also there for my labor and she was a great coach too!
If I had any advice to give to anyone who is going through childbirth for the first time, it would be to have an open mind. I had certain goals and ideas that I wanted to happen and some of them happened and some didn't. I am so happy with my childbirth experience though and I think it is because I went into it with an open mind. I did all of the research that I think I could have done and it was great!
8 comments:
Wow Abby, sounds like everything went well. She must be growing like a weed! Beckett went in for surgery on Tuesday, call me when you have some free time and I will fill you in on everything. He is fine now, but talk about scary. Can't wait to see more pics of Harper and see how big she is getting.
I am so happy to hear that Harper is here! I LOVE her name and she is SO CUTE!!!
Good advice regarding labor and delivery. Things change no matter how prepared you are but if the baby gets here safe and healthy, it is all worth it!
Congrats on your new baby girl! I love the name. We actually had that name on our "girl" list. Hope you are doing well. Welcome to Motherhood. I can't wait to see more pictures.
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What's the latest? Last time I saw you, recovering wasn't bad at all. Now that you've been away from the hospital for a while, is it tough? If you need ANYTHING just call me k?
What a beautiful baby you have and I'm so glad that you had a good experience. It really sounds like everything went well, except for the 6 days of being overdue which I think would be horrible. But I'm so glad that you are healthy and you baby is healthy and happy. I think that you are already a great mom. Way to go!
Harper is so beautiful!!!!!! You make me mad! I wish my labor was as fast as yours!!! Maybe this time! I cant decide who she looks like. I think I might see Ryan in her. I cant wait to meet her!!!
Congrats! She's a doll!
I am so glad the induction cath didn't hurt you. . it killed me! Ah. . I hated it! But after the epidural I was in Heaven. The whole thing altogether was WONDERFUL, BEST thing EVER! She is Beautiful and it was great to see you!
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