My pregnancy with Addy was very normal. I had only mild morning sickness, never threw up, always measured on track, and gained about 35 pounds and a basketball belly. For her part, Adelyn was very active and always looked and sounded perfect on the ultrasounds. Of course there were plenty of times I was overcome with uncomfortableness (poor sleeping, feet swelling, trouble sitting for long periods, and a ton of Braxton Hicks contractions) but nothing too terrible.
When I started my maternity leave in October, I was more than ready to be home all day to take naps and not spend 20+ minutes each day trying on clothes in the hopes that something work appropriate still fit. During my leave I was able to get all the last minute shopping and baby prep done and enjoy some nice fall weather, and was determined to stay pregnant until November. Once Halloween had passed and I was nearing 39 weeks pregnant I was ready for baby to come. So ready. My 38 week appointment at the end of October revealed I was already 3 cm dilated so I was hoping that Adelyn was gearing up to come on her own, and soon.
Well, I made it to my 39 week appointment on the afternoon of November 8 (technically, I was 39 weeks, 5 days). My doctor said baby looked perfect, was head down and I was about 4 cm dilated. He was concerned that my blood pressure was a bit high for the second straight appointment, along with elevated proteins that could be a sign of preeclampsia, so he sent me to labor and delivery to be monitored.
I arrived in labor and delivery at about 6 pm on the 8th. The doctor said my blood pressure was high, and with me being full term she recommended we get admitted and induced that night. We had the option to wait for natural labor instead, however, I would have to come back for monitoring every few days. After talking with hubby and the doctor, we decided it was better to get induced before my blood pressure got worse or I did develop preeclampsia, so it was time to get admitted! It was finally baby time!
By 10 pm I was set up in a delivery suite and the nurse started pitocin to regulate my contractions. Things were calm and bearable (minus the pain of watching the election results come in) until my water broke at midnight. The contractions intensified shortly after and the nurse recommended I get the epidural before it was too late. It didn't take long for the anesthesiologist to arrive and the epidural was in by 1 am. At this point Matt warned the nurse to expect things to progress quickly (like they did with Brooke) so she got things ready for delivery.
What felt like only minutes after the anesthesiologist left, I was in a ton of pain and knew it was time to push. Luckily, my regular OBGYN was on call and came in for the delivery. After about 6 contractions and some screaming by me (the epidural didn't have time to take full effect), my sweet baby girl Adelyn was born at 1:43 am. She cried right away and we were able to have skin-to-skin time before they cleaned and weighed her. 8 pounds 3 oz and 21.5" long! My baby beautiful!
Big sisters Chelsea and Brooke came to meet Adelyn in the hospital and it was so sweet. Chelsea was especially loving and tender and wanted to hold and kiss Addy while Brooke was less sure about holding baby.
By the morning of the 10th we were ready to get home (that hospital bed was killing my back!). Adelyn had dropped a bit of weight but was otherwise perfect and ready to go home.
The first few days at home were definitely an adjustment. Back were the days of no sleep, lots of sitting and nursing, missing playtime with Chelsea and Brooke, and lots and lots of sweet baby snuggles. At her two week check-up, Adelyn still hadn't gotten back to birth weight so we have to keep an eye on that. Otherwise, she is happy and healthy and so perfect. I am so in love with her. Having three daughters is such a blessing and I couldn't imagine things any other way.
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