My daughter, Claire Anneliese, was born on Sunday, July 6th -- The day before her scheduled induction. I'm bias, of course, but think she is beautiful! She weighed 6 lbs 11 oz. at birth, and is 19 inches long.
Already a drama queen, she had a fast and exciting birth... As some of you may remember, I was contracting for weeks and already at 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced the week before her birth. All last weekend I felt like my contractions were getting more uncomfortable -- just not any more frequent. But by Sunday evening, they were starting to feel a bit more labor-like and coming every 7 or 8 minutes. I called the doc after getting the kids to bed and was told to come into triage (but that I would probably be admitted to labor and delivery and have the baby that night). I couldn't reach my babysitter at first, so a friend of mine came over to watch the boys (who were sleeping) and off we went. We arrived at the hospital about 20 minutes later (around 10:30 pm) and by this time I definitely knew I was in labor. The triage nurse estimated I was 7-8 cm dilated already (but couldn't say for sure b/c she didn't want to break my water sac which was bulging). Next thing I know, I get hit was 4 or 5 terrible contractions while waiting in triage to be taken up to labor and delivery. I was sitting up and kind of crunched over on the foot of the bed (the only comfortable position for me at the time) and the nurse stepped out to get a wheelchair. Right after she left, I was hit with a crazy bad contraction and knew the baby was coming that minute. I yelled to DH that the baby was coming and he hit the nurse call button. She ran back into the room just as my water broke and the baby's head crowned. My doctor was paged and arrived a minute later -- just as the nurse was finishing the delivery (at 10:56 pm). I can't believe I would have had the baby in the car if I'd arrived at the hospital only 25 minutes later! I was concerned there was no time for antibiotics (I'm GBS positive), but happy I was able to have a fast, natural childbirth. And so far, Claire seems very healthy!!
Thanks for all the support you've provided during my pregnancy. I am looking forward to keeping in touch on the baby forums!
