Jones Baby Blog: Birth Day

Friday, April 6, 2012

Birth Day - Ruby Sue

I was absolutely sure that I was going to go into labor early with Ruby. Certain. I had even gone to the hospital at about 34.5 weeks due to regular contractions. However, as 39 weeks approached it became clear that I would be looking at another induction (due to gestational diabetes they wouldn't let me pass 39 weeks). I enjoyed my last week with Kingston with fun activities, made sure my house was clean, and caught up with friends knowing I wouldn't have the time to chat later.

The morning of March 9th we were up early - the benefit to being induced is you can make sure your hair and make-up is done! Nate's parents stayed with Kingston and we headed out early to our hospital. After being checked in and having some routine labwork the doctor gave me the ok for pitocin. He also assured me it would be a while before Ruby arrived. So Nate and I chatted, answered text messages, and just waited to see what would happen. About an hour later the nurse came in and upped my pitocin dosage - so I called for the anestesiologist - I figured there was no reason to keep going in pain, as I had started to breathe thru contractions. Now, I had attempted an epidural with Kingston - and it did not work. I have experienced natural labor. I felt no need to experience it again. The doctor did her best and began to test to see if it had worked - and Oh glorious day it did(prior to this we had a small episode where Nate nearly passed out - the combination of not enough breakfast and seeing the huge needle!)! I was so relaxed I dozed for the next hour or so in the sweet medicated bliss of the epidural. About 11:30 the nurse checked on me and asked if I could feel any pressure from Ruby - and I mentioned that when I had contractions I felt like I had to keep from pushing. The next moment the nurse announced I was fully dialated and ready to push - and started wheeling in carts and giving Nate instructions. My doctor showed up and 12 minutes and a few pushes later I was holding our little girl. I didn't even break a sweat! (before you hate me, with Kingston I had 2.5 hours of pushing and other severe labor issues). The doctor teased me that I didn't look like someone who had just had a baby - such a blessing to have a much easier labor the second time around.

We were blessed with so many family and friends who visited, called and came by to hold our new girl - most importantly, Kingston thought (and still thinks) she is fabulous! We are so blessed to have a healthy addition to our family!