She's here!!!

Charlotte Grace has finally arrived.   Born all natural at 4:28am 7lbs 8oz and 21"long.  (bigger than her brother)

I lost my mucus plug Friday morning and was having random contractions all day Friday and Saturday.  I was so sure she was coming Saturday.  When the day had passed and it was time to go to bed I was feeling a bit discouraged.  I was getting frustrated with the painful contractions not leading any where.  A little after midnight I started having more painful contractions, not at all following a pattern.  And then I felt the need to sit on the toilet and go to the bathroom, when I realized I didn't want to go to the bathroom, I wanted to push out a baby!  I called the on call nurse to get her opinion and see if maybe they recommended coming in and potentially have pit to regulate the contractions.  Even though I knew I wanted a natural birth.   When I said I wasnt having regular contractions but that I wanted to push she immediately said I had to call 911 and get an ambulance to the hospital.  Well I decided that was not necessary and I still had not woken my husband.  The on call nurse told me to wake him up and get to the hospital ASAP.  I woke up DH and DS and took DS to the neighbor's.  We drove as fast as legally possible to the hospital and my contractions started coming every three minutes.  We get in the hospital and checked in at 3:25.  I called Jackie and the photographer and let them know I was admitted and to come to the hospital (neither of them made it for the birth as it happened so fast). I was 5cm.  At 3:45 my water broke.  I was 7cm.  I told the nurse I needed to push.  I worked through contractions that came one after another and cried for a break.  I followed what my body was telling me and started pushing.  After a couple pushes they made me get on the bed so the baby wouldnt fall on the floor.  My husband saw the head and kinda panicked because the nurses were not ready.  Two pushes later the midwife was telling me to reach down and grab my baby, she was here.  She came so fast the midwife didn't even have the chance to put gloves on.  

Everything is going well.  We are back at home.   Charlotte is nursing like a champ.  I feel amazing.  I do not even feel like I just gave birth, minus some cramps when I nurse, but nothing worse than a moderate period.  DS is so excited   that his sister is finally here.  We could not be happier!

Still waiting

We have passed our due date.  As of my check up on Wednesday there was not much progress and there were no signs of labor being eminent.  However, I don't want to jynx myself, but I feel as though labor is soon.   I have had an increase in pressure as baby has dropped a bit.  However, no regular contractions.  :(  Which is okay, today and tomorrow are not necessarily the most convenient days for baby's arrival.  I still have a bit of school work to do, my friend wouldn't be able to make it to the birth today, and the photographer wont be able to make it tomorrow.  While waiting I did get some more decorating done in Charlotte's nursery.

Still no baby

I am eight days away from my due date and honestly my body feels more like the due date is a month away.  I had my 39 week check up today and not much going on.  As I had thought.  The midwife thinks it still might be another two weeks.  Obviously there is no real way to know when she will come, but I don't see it happening before my due date. In the mean time I am getting school work completed and focusing on Owen.   We are in no rush to see baby, she can come when she is good and ready.  <3


While we wait, here are some photos from our maternity shoot.   Enjoy.  :)

38 Weeks

We made it to 38 weeks!  I am getting so excited to meet this baby already.  Owen is also.  He has asked why she is in my belly and when he can hold her.  He talks to my belly and tells his sister he loves her.  He talks about his baby sister constantly.  I know he is going to be a great big brother and I am so excited to see how they interact together.

At my appointment with my midwife yesterday Charlotte's heartbeat was 142 bpm.  I did not have my midwife check my cervix for several reasons.  One, I do not want to introduce bacteria or anything into my body if it is not necessary.  Secondly, I do not feel like my body is ready for labor.  I do not feel like labor is coming any time soon.  Also, even if she did check me, it is not an indication whether or not labor is eminent or not.  With Owen I was dilated for three weeks before going into labor.   I still have two weeks until my due date, and four weeks before she gets her official eviction notice.   While I am so ready to meet my daughter and see the interaction between her and Owen, I want her to come in her own time.  I am not going to rush her.  Although doing some yoga, walking the stairs, chiropractic care, and bouncing on the yoga ball wont hurt, right?