Charlotte is here and WE ARE HOME!!

Well, the past week has been an adventure. I had an appointment to be induced for last Wednesday night, but went into labor on my own on Tuesday night, beginning at 7:30. I was so happy because I wasn't looking forward to being induced! I wanted to see what it felt like to actually "go into labor" like in the movies and on TV. The contractions started and got more strong and consistent as the night went on, not allowing me to sleep through the night. We got up in the morning and went to a doctor appointment where I found out I was only 1 cm dialted! They sent me home and told me to walk - which I did, and ironically, the contractions slowed down! We ended up waiting the day out, while I continued to have contractions at home before going to the hospital at 7:30 p.m. (13 hours after the contractions started!). We got checked in and finally got to a delivery room where they decided that I definitely didn't need to be put on pitocin for the induction, since I was already in labor on my own. The next day consisted of inconsistent contractions, which finally led to pitocin to help steady things out. After 28 hours, I decided to take the drugs and started on morphine. After two more hours, I decided on the epidrual which was AMAZING! We were able to sleep for a while, which was good because by then we were TIRED! The day continued on and included the following: Several WONDERFUL nurses who helped us through, contractions that lowered Charlotte's heart rate, causing me to have to go on oxygen twice, fever, a sunny side up baby, a twice failed epidural, 3 hours of pushing, three attempts at a vacuum extraction, all ending in a C-Section and a BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT BABY!!!