Baby Candice is here (vrj0522)

vrj0522 · October 2014

TL:DR Our sweet Candice Leigh was born this morning at 10:29am after 8.5 hrs of labor. She measured 20 inches and weighed 8 lbs 2 oz.

Long Story: While baby was due last Friday per the doctor, her due date based on when I O'd was yesterday, the 13th so we set her induction date for this coming Thursday, really hoping that she'd make her entrance on her own before then. I hadn't really had many signs of oncoming labor but two nights ago, I saw a good chunk of my mucous plug and then last night, I started having intense back pain. It felt like back labor minus the contractions so I went to bed hoping that we'd make it through the night before baby needed to come, but she had other plans.

Just before 2 am this morning, I woke up to a contraction so I started timing immediately in case more came. Sure enough, the next one was 7 minutes later and the one after that was 6 minutes later. They were really painful even though they had just started and after a couple more contractions at 5 minutes apart, I called my doctor since I tested positive for GBS. Doctor said to come in and have the hospital check and monitor me. I took a shower and took my time getting ready but at 3:30 am, DH and I left for the hospital. I was admitted about an hour later and given antibiotics for GBS. They checked me and I was 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced. And then I quickly got the epidural. With DS, I waited until I was 8 cm and even then I felt really well but my contractions this time were a lot stronger so I got the epi at 6 cm.

I quickly progressed to 8 cm but then labor stalled and we stayed there for a few hours so they started me on pitocin. An hour later they checked me and no progress so they increased my dose and as soon as they did, I needed to push. They checked me and sure enough, I was complete, so they quickly got everything ready and the doctor came into the room. I pushed for less than 5 minutes (as compared to 2 hrs with DS) and baby Candice was born. I started sobbing right away (also something that did not happen with DS) from the relief, worry for my baby (she was born purple but quickly recovered her color), and the happiness of finally having her in my arms.

Everything's gone well since then. She's feeding okay although having a little bit of problems with latching, but we keep trying, and she's been sleeping most of the day. My recovery is already easier than it was with DS. We are so very happy to have her be part of our family and big brother will be coming soon with my parents to meet his baby sister.

Here is a picture of our little girl.