On the Monday the 23rd I had an appt with my doctor. This appt was for IF I made it through the weekend which, of course, I did. We were laying out a game plan for inducing. As I have said in previous weeks, we were worried my labor would go too fast and I wouldn't be on antibiotics long enough. After considerable thought, Max and I decided to go ahead and induce the labor because we didn't want the baby to be on antibiotics if I wasn't there in time to get them myself. We were all set to say "TOMORROW!" which was the 24th but hospital policy is that you have to be 39 weeks to induce so we made our plan for the 25th.
The night before was nerve wrecking and slightly sad. As much as I wanted this pregnancy to be over I really would have preferred it to go naturally. It was better for the baby though so Max and I just put up with it. The only nice thing about knowing the date the baby was coming is that the day before I stayed home from work and spent extra time with Dexter. I also got the whole house clean so I wouldn't have to worry about it.
We woke up very early and got ourselves together. We woke up Dex at the last minute and were on our way. We dropped off Dex at daycare (which was very emotional knowing this was the last time I'd see him as an only child... his world was going to change so much!) and then headed to the hospital.
We got checked in and got to the room. I didn't have to put on that horrible gown since we were just going to do the first dose of the penicillin. That went in at 830 and they said that we would break my water at 11. That was really strange being in the hospital but nothing was happening. No contractions, no pain, no nothing. Just the husband and I hanging out. I watched some TV and ordered some food since I was too nervous to have breakfast at home. Max watched some Netflix on my phone. Time went by kind of slowly. Once 11 came, my doctor was very busy so they said 12 they would start the 2nd dose of penicillin and then break my water. Another slow hour.
Finally, at 1220 the nurses came in to break my water. Apparently that was quite the process but eventually they got it broken. I had been a 5/6 cm for about 2 weeks at this point and when they broke my water I was instantly a 7/8. Still no pain. I opted for an epidural because I was terrified of the pain and because I really liked how laid back Dexter's birth was. I had way too much of the medicine with Dexter so we had them tone it down this time. Once the contractions finally came I was 9 cm. Every once in a while I would feel a real strong one where I had to breathe through it but really, this was as close to a painless birth as one could expect. I think we sat at 9 cm for an hour and half and finally at 350 I was 10 cm and it was time to push.
My doc came in wearing his nice clothes since he had appointments and I told him to change into his scrubs but he didn't listen. After 30 minutes of pushing and a lot of bantering back and forth between the 3 nurses, the doctor and my husband (quite the crowd in the room) the baby was coming out. Usually they have you do 3 counts of 10 seconds and you get a break but I swear since he was coming out so well, I did around 7 or 8 counts of 10. No breaks but it was worth it because there the baby was.
We had told the doctor to exuberantly say the sex of the baby since neither Max nor I remember how we were told Dex was a boy but right when the baby came out, a bunch of fluid came with him and got all over the doctor. Max tipped his head over and with a big smile announced "It's a boy!!!". Simon Maxwell was born. He was beautiful. Simon was put on my chest and there he stayed for a good 1/2 hour or so. Max cut the cord and everything else associated with birth went well.
Simon got cleaned up a little bit and was weighed. He was 8 lbs 2 oz which is a full pound heavier than Dexter was. He was 21" long and was perfect. Absolutely perfect. After he was weighed I was able to breastfeed him and he latched on right away. What a champ. Both my boys were such good eaters right from the start.
My total labor was just a little less than 4 hours so it was a good thing we opted to have my water broken otherwise Simon would have had to be on antibiotics. That is exactly what we wanted to avoid. I am very lucky to have such easy pregnancies and such easy labors. I don't take this for granted. Trust me.
I have heard that sometimes it takes a little longer to bond with your second child because you feel guilt or something for your first child but that was not the case. I was instantly in love with my new son. I'm amazed at how the heart can make room for all the love you have for your children. My boys mean everything to me and I'm so happy that I have two sons who will grow up together and have each other. I'm so happy!
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