Should have stuck with Feb after all.
After three weeks of irregular contractions and increasingly frayed nerves, I went in for an induction on Monday. My body just wasn't finding a pattern, and I'm not sure it would have. Even with pitocin, I never quite hit the sort of pattern of consistently strong contractions they wanted.
I toyed with the idea of skipping the epidural, but realized I had enough latent anxiety that it might impede progress. In the end, I was very happy with my choices and had an experience that starkly contrasted with the problems of my first time. Pushing was so much easier that I was skeptical when I felt the pressure of his head right there.
He came out screaming right away and got to stay on my belly while they cleaned him up a little. Once that was done, he latched on as soon as I offered the breast, and he stayed on for over 90 minutes!
There was a pop when his body came out, and my OB's first fear was his collarbone since he is a good size (he looks heavier than his 8 pounds 10 ounces). Turns out it was the very top of my scar popping--but one stitch is a huge improvement over a second-degree tear that then developed granulation tissue.
My milk started to come in at about 24 hours, and so he's happy to spend all of his time on me. At least he's willing to stay quiet when other people hold him too (if he's sleeping), but he knows if he's in his crib and will tolerate the bouncy chair for maybe 5 minutes.
It's amazing to look at him and note how much he looks like his older brother did, but also all the little ways in which he is distinctly himself.
After three weeks of irregular contractions and increasingly frayed nerves, I went in for an induction on Monday. My body just wasn't finding a pattern, and I'm not sure it would have. Even with pitocin, I never quite hit the sort of pattern of consistently strong contractions they wanted.
I toyed with the idea of skipping the epidural, but realized I had enough latent anxiety that it might impede progress. In the end, I was very happy with my choices and had an experience that starkly contrasted with the problems of my first time. Pushing was so much easier that I was skeptical when I felt the pressure of his head right there.
He came out screaming right away and got to stay on my belly while they cleaned him up a little. Once that was done, he latched on as soon as I offered the breast, and he stayed on for over 90 minutes!
There was a pop when his body came out, and my OB's first fear was his collarbone since he is a good size (he looks heavier than his 8 pounds 10 ounces). Turns out it was the very top of my scar popping--but one stitch is a huge improvement over a second-degree tear that then developed granulation tissue.
My milk started to come in at about 24 hours, and so he's happy to spend all of his time on me. At least he's willing to stay quiet when other people hold him too (if he's sleeping), but he knows if he's in his crib and will tolerate the bouncy chair for maybe 5 minutes.
It's amazing to look at him and note how much he looks like his older brother did, but also all the little ways in which he is distinctly himself.
baby boy
