Keira's birth story.

I thought I would post her birth story for those that are interested. I went in on Tuesday morning to be induced due to being 10 days overdue. Got to the hospital at 7:30am. Was supposed to start Pitocin at 8am but they had a hard time getting the IV in (blew a vein and had to try 4 times to get it in). My midwife checked me and I was 4cm and 80% effaced. I told her that I'd like to do the pitocin until I was 5-6cm and then have my water broken because I knew I could make it from 5cm because I had done it before with the other two. They started Pitocin at 9:30, very low dose. I took a nap and they kept upping it until about 2pm when my MW checked me again I was 5cm and just about 100% effaced. She broke my water (babies head was right against the bag so it was hard for her to break it).

After my water was broken labor really picked up. She turned the pitocin way down to let my body kick in. A little after 3pm I decided to get into the shower to labor for awhile. At this point the pitocin was completely turned off and my body was on it's own. I labored in the shower for awhile and the contractions were really picking up and I was having a lot more pressure. After two contractions that felt more like a pushing pressure I got out of the shower. I labored leaning over the bed for a bit but I was getting tired so I got into the bed and knelt (leaning on the back of the bed that was raised) then I sat for a bit and pushed thru a couple contractions but just felt like I wasn't getting far and was starting to feel like I wasn't handling the contractions well. Baby was also still pretty far up. With the next contraction I said I HAVE to stand up again so I stood up and leaned on the bed again. In the next couple of pushes she was crowning and shortly after she was born at 5:01pm. My midwife said she loved the fact that I delivered standing up and that's all it took for the baby to come down was the change in position and help from gravity.

I'm not sure of the total "pushing" time as I lost track of time, etc. She's a very aware baby and hardly cried when she came out. She was just looking all around and taking everything in. Her apgars were 8 and 9. She does have her sleep a little switched around but I'm hoping she'll sleep better at night within the next week or so as that's how long it took Hailey to figure it out.

We're all very glad that she's here. Hailey and Ethan love her and are so curious about everything. I asked to be released early from the hospital because I just wasn't getting much rest and really wanted to be home. The pediatrician was a little concerned because although Keira had had a bowel movement she had not urinated. The did agree to discharge her as long as I brought her to her regular pediatrician ASAP if she still hadn't urinated by this morning. Thankfully that happened last night so all is well and she sees her regular pediatrician for the first time tomorrow morning.

Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers. We really appreciate them. Here is a picture of our newest addition:

Another quick update.

I know it's been awhile since I've written here. Life has been busy. We are still waiting for this baby to arrive; it seems God really wants me to learn the lesson of waiting on His timing. :)

I had an appointment with my midwife today. After discussing my options and concerns with her we have decided that if I haven't had the baby by Friday then I will have an ultrasound to check on the baby and she will do some light interventions to see if that sends me into labor. If, by next Tuesday, I still have not had the baby then I will be induced. I really do not want to be induced so I am praying that this little one arrives this week.

Other than waiting for the baby we have been doing some more work on the kitchen. It is nice to see it coming along. We primed the walls the other night and once we had them all white we discovered a few spots that needed a bit more work so Matt is working on fixing those spots and then we will paint.

The cooler weather has also been nice for baking. The kids and I have made a couple of apple crisps and a pie. It's a little different having to do everything in the dining room but we are managing. I also have 4 pumpkins that I need to roast soon and get in the freezer for making pies and other desserts for the holidays.

So that's my update. Hopefully I'll be able to post a birth announcement in the next few days.