Welcome...

We're home! Finally!! (And thank you, Lauren, for posting an update!)

As Lauren mentioned, the initial induction didn't really do much of anything. They started the Pitocin at 10PM on Tuesday and by the end of the first round (1PM Wednesday), I was still only 2.5 cm dilated, but now 80% effaced instead of 70%. I had been having pretty good contractions all along, but apparently, they weren't good enough. They gave me a 3 hour break to eat and shower, and then I was back on the Pitocin at 4PM. My doctor came by at 8PM to break my water (not exactly a pleasant sensation when you're stuck in a bed, BTW) and then the fun really began. They did let me labor in the jacuzzi tub for an hour, but after that, her heartrate was up to 200 bpm, so they made me lay on my side in bed so they could monitor her closely. Laying on my side made things A LOT worse. The contractions started coming one on top of the other, and they were long. I couldn't take the pain anymore and asked for the epidural just before midnight. Which was fortunate because when they checked me before giving the epidural, I was only 4cm dilated. I was able to sleep a bit but at 3:30AM, I started to get the urge to push. The OB had checked me not long before and I was 6cm dilated. I told the nurse about my problem and she checked me again...now 8cm and 100% effaced. She checked to see if upping the epidural would help, but it didn't do any good. She said she'd be back in a 1/2 hour to check me again... That time was pure agony. I knew pushing too soon could cause problems, so I had to fight the urge. And a half hour turned into an hour, during which time Brian pretty much slept right through it all. Finally, she came back at 4:30AM and said I was ready to go. It freaked me out a bit that it was just Brian, the nurse, and me trying to deliver this baby, but after about 15 minutes of pushing, she called for my OB. At 5AM, Margaret Isabelle came into this world... with the help of a nasty episiotomy (and a ton of sutures - ouch!!). Like Lauren said, 9 lbs 2 oz, 20.5 inches long, and healthy as could be. When we were discharged today, she was down to 8 lbs 5 oz, but they said that's normal, especially when breastfeeding.

Feeding has been going well so far. Maggie caught on fast as to what she's supposed to do. I'm getting a bit sore, but per the nurses, our technique is right, so I guess I'm just at that breaking-in phase.

I'm tired, I hope to never spend that much time in the hospital again, and I'm sore... but it was all worth it. We're in love. :)