clara louise was worth the wait! she is lovely and has a strong spirit. when she has an opinion she lets us know, as she has a strong cry. she loves being held. she hates having her diaper changed. she loves looking outside (like her sister). she loves to eat.
last saturday we had a non-stress test in the hospital. earlier in the week we had been given the option of inducing that day but decided to wait. when we were at the hospital on saturday the doctor strongly recommended we come back the next day to be induced. she said it was highly unlikely i would go into labor on my own due to the amount of amniotic fluid and clara's ballotable head. she was also concerned if my water did break at home that the cord would come out with the water, which would be extremely dangerous.
sunday morning we were at the hospital at 7:15 am. we got settled into our room and met our amazing nurse, Gail. the doctor ordered that i be put on a low dose of pitocin to get my contractions 2 min apart. thankfully i was already contracting 3-5 on my own! 9:30 am the pitocin was going. and by 11:00 my contractions were 2 min apart. at this point labor was very manageable, which i was thankful for - having heard stories of pitocin causing pain that is difficult to manage without medication. (not that it can't cause unmanageable pain but it wasn't that way for me).
at 11:00 i was 5 cm dilated (having come into the hospital 4 cm). the doctor came and broke my water. let me tell you it was a ton of water! both the doctor and the nurse were amazed. i was too.
shortly after breaking my water they were able to turn off the pitocin and my body took over.
at noon i was 6 cm. at 1:00 i was 7 cm. at that point it got very intense! from 1:00-2:00 i went from 7 to 10 cm. and was ready to push around 2:00. after 15 min of pushing Clara Louise was born.
she cried and cried. i think she was very happy in her water world. she was highly sensitive to any kind of touch or light or change in temperature. thankfully that has mellowed out quite a bit.
meeting her was amazing. and we continue to be thankful for her health and that although i had be induced i was able to have the kind of natural birth experience i had been wanting.
shortly after she was born -
******* Thanks sis for pointing out the incredible support team I had in you and Tim!!! I certainly couldn't have made it without you two holding my hands!!!!!!! *******************
4 comments:
im not offened or anything... but you forgot to mention how amazingly awesome and supportive your sis and husband were thru the whole thing:)
you look lovely, kristi. even after laboring and pushing a baby out of your body. you're a pro. ever think about being a surrogate? just a thought.
You all look so happy! We are so thankful your labor went smoothly and sweet Clara made it out without complications. Thank you for sharing her story and for the pics...we love seeing u!
Congrats on sweet baby Clara! And her nose is absolutely adorable and NOT big like you thought the ultrasound made it look ;) Kristi you are truly blessed :) Much love to your amazing family!
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