Charlotte's Birth Story

I know I have at least a few people interested in the details of Charlotte's birth. So, this is for them. :)

For those who didn't see my facebook posts, I was pretty much done being pregnant weeks before Charlotte was due. It was a hot summer; I was tired, uncomfortable and on edge. But, she stayed in and she came out healthy, which is really what matters. My doctor wouldn't induce me until I was 40 weeks, so I scheduled an induction for my due date, September 2.

My doctor stripped my membranes the week before my due date, thinking it would help put me into labor earlier. It didn't work. So a few days later at my "40 week" appointment (September 1) she stripped my membranes again and we set up the induction for the next morning (5 AM!!!). At my appointment I was dilated to about 2.5-3 (not nearly as far along as I hoped since I was at a 5 with Tanner at this point).

To be honest, the idea of getting induced kinda freaked me out, since I had never done it before. So after my doctor appointment, I was determined to not sit down. I had a ton to do anyway to get ready for having the baby the next day and I got to work! I cleaned and scrubbed my kitchen (floors included), meal planned and went grocery shopping. For dinner that night I made a double batch so that I could freeze the second batch for a meal for us for later. At 6 that night I had to go and sign Eli up for pre-school. By the time dinner was finally on the table it was about 7:30, and I realized I felt my first contraction. I had spent so many weeks wondering if what I was feeling was "the real deal" that I doubted these contractions for a long time.

We had dinner, put the boys to bed and all the while I started timing my contractions. About 1 minute long and about 5 minutes apart, ish. Still, I wasn't thoroughly convinced. My sister-in-law Shonda called, so I had to stop my timing and we chatted for a while. I mentioned I was having contractions and it totally freaked her out that I was just nonchalantly chatting to her on the phone, since she knows how fast I can go, having been there for Tanner's birth.

After our phone call I started timing contractions again. And they were consistent--1 minute or so and anywhere from 3-6 minutes apart. Still, I doubted. Finally at about 9:30 I decided it was "go time". I called my visiting teacher who lives a few houses down to come and sit with the boys. Mom was on her way, but I didn't think we should wait for her.

At about 10 we get to the hospital and start getting checked in. When they check me to make sure I am in labor I am already between a 6-7 (YAY!) and they said we aren't going anywhere. Time to have this baby!

For those curious, YES I got my epidural this time! I made sure to request it right away so they got me on fluids right away. My doctor wanted to break my water and see if we could have the baby sooner, but I said "Nope! I want the epidural", which my doctor was fine with. So finally at about 11:30 the anesthesiologist comes in and I get my epidural--nothing too exciting there. My doctor gave me time for it to kick in and then at about 12:15 am she came in to break my water (dilated to a 7).

At this point I tried to take a nap (David full on fell asleep). But after not too long, I started to feel some pressure/pain, and could feel the need to push. I talked my nurse and she kinda doubted me but I asked her to check me anyway. Sure enough, I was ready to push. Mind you, this was about 12:45-12:50. It wasn't quite the mad dash to get the room ready as it was with Tanner, but things still had to move along quickly. I had to almost yell to wake David up and tell him it was time to have a baby. :)

They got the room ready, and then the doctor told me to wait for the next contraction to push (that was annoying. I wanted to push now!). But I managed to wait and after 4 pushes, she was born! A perfect 7 pounds 12 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long. She is our sweet angel.

So for the whole pregnancy I was convinced her name would be Elita Ruth. But when she was born, I realized she was not Elita and it broke my heart. I kept trying and trying to make Elita fit her, and it didn't. David liked the name Sarah right when she was born, and for a while we were going to name her Sarah Ruth. But I just didn't feel right about that name either. Finally, shortly before we leave the hospital, we settled on Charlotte. I love the name and David calls her Little Lottie. :) And it really does fit her. Charlotte Ruth is the perfect addition to our little family.