Harper's Birth Story

It was a last minute decision to schedule an induction. I went my whole pregnancy thinking I'd let her come on her own. My water broke with Addison 5 days early, so I figured I wouldn't make it to my due date anyway. By my 38.5 week check up I was nearly 3cm. At that appointment (on a Tuesday) we scheduled an induction date for that Friday, for multiple reasons. But let's skip forward...

Friday morning 5am I wake up to see snow covering the grounds, I had no idea it was going to actually snow. We were expecting rain. I opened the front door, an began silently panicking if we'd be able to make the drive. We decided that it should be okay being it had stopped snowing hours prior. The high winds were blowing the snow across the roads, visibility very low at times. A couple slick spots, but the plow trucks had been over the main roads. Most definitely a blustery snowy morning we will always remember. 

We get to the hospital at 6am. Paperwork, IV (nearly fainted), blood work, more paperwork, etc.

Doctor comes in and breaks my water at 7:38am. At that time I was still 'nearly 3cm'.

I almost immediately began contractions on my own. About 8:30 they started pitocin. Contractions grew intense and consistent. By 9:30 I wanted an epidural! 

The nurse checked at that time and I was still at 3. I felt like it was going to be a long labor at this point and no progress. I finally got the epi around 10am. My doctor came at 11am and said I was 5cm and it should go quicker from here! Around 12pm I felt like the contractions were harder and maybe? I was feeling pressure. I was checked by the nurse and she said she believed I was fully ready!

I began pushing at 12:15. The room was calm and relaxed. The epidural was spot on. 

At 1:00pm she entered the world and was thrown on my chest. I could not believe I had made yet another beautiful being. That moment is so surreal. There's nothing in the world like it. Nothing.  


Our beautiful girl was 6lbs 3oz and 19.5 inches long.
She has a tad bit of brown hair. 

Then there is this moment when baby is all cleaned up and handed over to you to keep, for life. And your husband joins in as you 'ooo' and 'ahh' over the new life you created. That you've patiently waited to meet for nine months. 

And you instantly fall in love.

Addison came to visit that night and the next day. It was the part of the journey I was completely terrified about. I thought about it much more often during my pregnancy than actually giving birth. The possible pain from labor, I was fine with, I knew generally what to expect. I was not fine with the thought of my first baby being upset mommy had a new baby. And that she had to see me and then leave again. To my surprise, she was completely happy and content. What a weight off my shoulders! I have her grandparents and my sister to thank. She loves them so much and was thrilled to hang out with them.

And she loves her new baby!

I could not have asked for a better labor and delivery. I could feel her moving out of me, but no pain like I had with Addison. It was pretty amazing. 19 hours for Addison- 5 hours for Harper... what a difference! I felt great after in comparison. It was also nice to have the rest of the day to eat, recover, and enjoy visitors. She is nursing like a champ so far and sleeping fairly well. So happy, she's a sweet girl!