As much as I wanted labor to happen naturally I still did not want to wait to have our baby girl any longer than December 17th. To have a birthday one week before Christmas is going to be chaotic enough; I certainly didn't want to add to it by maybe having her be born on Christmas.
Friday morning, 6:15am, Nate and I arrive at Riverside Hospital for my scheduled induction. Even though we were 15 minutes late, it didn't seem to matter. We were both more calm this time around because we knew what to expect. By 7am my IV was in and the nurses became to slowly administer the Pitocin. I still found it fun to watch the baby's heart rate and my contractions on the monitor - there is something about seeing the needle go up and down that makes you aniticipate what is really about to happen. After awhile the nurse checked my cervix and I was about 4cms, 80% effaced. Dr Shepard came in our room to break my water around 11am. It was definately uncomfortable, just like a cervix check, however this seemed to last forever. My water was clear and she was very surprised how much water I had. Once my water was broke I immediately felt a bit lighter. Not to my surprise but I guess my body just loves to retain water during my pregnancies. The nurse warned me that after my water broke, the 'cushion' would be gone and my contractions would be a lot more painful. I fully knew what to expect because I remember how bad they felt with Tyler. I still told her I wanted to wait awhile for to put my name in for the epidural because I was not in pain yet. About 15 minutes later, she came back in the room and I was in a whole lot of pain. The contractions were coming every minute or two, were lasting longer, and hurt so bad all I could think about was I felt like throwing up and nothing I could do (includind gripping Nathan's hand) could make me feel better. I gave her the nod to put my name in. By Noon the nurse came in to administer the epidural. It was very uncomfortable being hunched over waiting for the needle in my back while having contractions! UH! Once the epidural was in the nurse told me I wouldn't feel complete relief for 15-30 minutes. For the first 20 I laid on my left side and took a short nap while Nate grabbed some lunch. Around 12:45 the nurse came in to check my cervix. I was 6cms and 80% effaced. She had my lay on my right side and try to take a nap while she went on her lunch break. By this time, Nate was back in the room. It wasn't more than 10 minutes later that a nurse came in to check the monitor and asked me if I felt any pressure. I thought that was a weird question and I told her no and that my nurse was just here and I was only 6cms. She told me the baby's heart rate had dropped and that usually only happens when you are about to give birth. She got out an oxygen mask and asked to me wear it to see if it helped her heart rate. She stood by the monitor watching her heart rate and about 2 minutes later I told her that I thought I felt some pressure. She checked my cervix and in an instant said, Okay you are 10cms and ready to have this baby. She called my nurse and Dr. Shepard and started preparing for me to push. By 1pm Dr. Shepard arrived and I began to push a few minutes after. I think I might have only pushed about 3 or 4 (sets of 3) and she was born at 1:18pm. Baby Girl Boston was TINY and had lots of hair! The nurse laid her on my chest while Nate cut the ambilical cord and smiled for his picture :) I got to cuddle with her for a good 10 minutes - Nate and I both had tears of joy in our eyes. Our baby girl was finally here and she was healthy as could be!
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