Introducing Abigail

Well, she is finally here. Abigail Elizabeth Labrecque. 6lbs 11oz. 19 1/2 in. Born at 10:57am on Thursday, November 6th.Apparently she was ready too because she came very very fast.

Here is how our Thursday went. Shouldn't be too graphic but if you aren't sure about what you want to know, scan rather than read...

We went to the hospital and got registered at about 7am and then headed up to Labor and Delivery. They got me all settled, checked vitals on me and monitored the baby. When my midwife, Donna, arrived she checked my dilation (I was at 5cm) and broke my water at 8:45am.
They monitored for about 15-20 minutes and then I was free to walk around. It only took about another 10 minutes for contractions to begin on their own. They came in about 5 minute intervals right away and by the 4th or 5th I was definitely in 'real pain' they quickly dropped to 3 minutes apart and then 1 minute apart. I was very uncomfortable and hot. I decided I was at the top of my pain tolerance and knowing that I probably had several hours of labor left decided to ask for the epidural. When the nurse checked me she said that I was already at 7cm and that It would probably be at least an hour before I could get the epidural because there were 3 people ahead of me in 'line' and she didn't think I would have time because of how fast I was moving. I told her ok and asked to get into the birthing tub.

After getting into the water it was a little more bearable to have a contraction but not much. I guess it made it easier for me to relax the rest of my body and let my uterus do all of the work. I only got a few contractions in the tub before the urge to push came. I have never felt something so primal before. There is no force that could have stopped me from pushing. My midwife was not there yet either and it was rather interesting to see how many nursed and other midwife's who were there came out of the woodwork in the span of a few seconds. I guess I had dilated to complete in less than 10 minutes from the time she had checked me last. My midwife ran into the room just as I had another contraction and then it was time to 'let 'er rip' so to speak. I pushed 8 times and Abigail was born. Brian was going to catch her but her shoulder got stuck and Donna had to maneuver her a little but she handed her straight to Brian and I got to cut her cord while Brian held her.

Overall it was the experience I had hoped it would be both with Jacob and then, since I was not able to do things that way with him, I wanted to try with Abigail, and I am very happy I was able to do it. I was not absolutely set on having a natural birth this time because I knew how painful it would be but I wanted to at least try again and go until I knew I was at my maximum pain level - by the time I got there I didn't have a choice and I am kinda glad.

While the nurses cleaned her up I delivered the placenta (harder to get that out than the baby)and got dressed and was given medication to make sure I didn't have the bleeding problems I did last time. Then I got to nurse her and get into a gown. After proving I could pee we got moved to our postpartum room and got to rest for a while (except for the nurses pushing on my belly - that is the worst part of having a baby, let me tell ya.)

By that afternoon we were settled enough for visitors...Jake was wound up like a two dollar watch and pretty much ignored Abby but I did get at least a hug before he was up and running again.

Once everyone left we got dinner and then the three of us just hung out for a while.
Our night went pretty well as far as Abby sleeping and all of that. We did have the standard interruptions from the nurses checking vitals and giving me medication, but for the most part it was a pretty easy night.
On Friday Brian and I had breakfast and pretty much hung out until they discharged me at noon. Here is Brian and Abby having a little rest while I was eating breakfast.
When we got home Jake was very happy to see Mommy and Daddy but still was 'actively ignoring' Abby. I had no problem with that and I want him to warm up to her on his own schedule. And he did, by Saturday morning he decided he wanted to hold her.He has held her a couple of times since then and even got down on the floor to have his diaper changed at the same time she was having hers changed and held her hand when she started to fuss. It was adorable.
We are all doing well and I will post more pics a little later.