She has Arrived

Technically, she arrived on April 25th at 40 weeks and 4 days. I was induced at 7am with them starting the Pictocin around 8am. I planned this whole pregnancy to go without the epidural due to the side effects I had with my previous two children. I arrived at the hospital 4cm dilated, and after 4 hours, I was 5cm, and they broke my water. Within an hour, the contractions were so strong and so close together it felt like I couldn't even process the next one because they were so quick. I told the nurse I wanted the epidural but by the next contraction I could feel pressure, the nurse rushed to get the delivery cart ready and called the doctor and when she came to check me I was already 10cm dilated and my baby was coming. So it was too late to get the epidural or any other pain management. im not going to lie. I literally wanted to cry and kept saying I can't do this, but three nurses and one of the hospital doctors were with me when I pushed out my baby girl at 1:20pm before my doctor could even make it in the room. I had a first degree tear and was stitched up in just a couple mins. In the end, I'm glad I didn't get the epidural because I was able to get up and walk after 20 mins, and it was so much better than being confined to a bed. My doctor released me the next day at 8am, but the hospital pediatrician refused to discharge my daughter, so i stayed in the hospital until April 27th and it killed me because my 2 year old son cried for me at night and wouldn't go to sleep for anyone else or even eat normally. The birth was so easy, but the rest of the stay was just terrible.

But being home has been much better and is an easier transition than I expected. My husband was able to take off the whole week to be with us, and luckily, my son and daughter seemed to nap at the same time early in the day, so I also get a little nap. I am breastfeeding and haven't attempted pumping yet, but I'll be posting that journey and more with you all in the future.

So please meet Salem Athena, born 4/25 at 1:20pm 7lbs 1oz and 19.5in

#newborn #thirdbaby #inductionbirth