Our Spring Break-
Well, when I went into the doc on the 24th they said my amniotic fluid was a “2” which is dangerously low.  I had read up on this and really wasn’t too keen on being induced, but everyone said I should go ahead…
so we left the doctor, went home to pack a hospital bag, and went to the hospital.
(When you’re planning a home birth this trip to the hospital is not a happy one.)
They started the Pitocin drip Monday (did a very slow increase and I had almost NO pain without pain meds) and on Wednesday my sweet Aimee was born.   She was “face up” so the actual process was longer than I’d experienced before.

Aimee’s Birthday

I must admit, hospitals (and nurses) have come a LONG way since I had my last baby in a hospital.  Back then, none of the nurses had even witnessed a non-medicated birth, and this time two of my nurses had been midwife or doula trained.  I was allowed to labor wherever and however I wanted (jacuzzi, birthing stools and balls etc.) and my midwife was there to act as my doula.   No one asked me if I needed pain meds which was nice.

When my water broke on Tuesday I was not too happy.  I’d been on Pitocin 24 hrs already and then to see that I did have quite a bit of AF, made me a little angry.  I didn’t want to force my baby to come two weeks early, and then to see that it probably hadn’t been necessary….
To my doctor’s defense, the ultrasound is a horrible method for measuring fluid.  The midwife’s hands probably are your best indicator of everything being okay, and now (too late) I know that.   Make sure you get a second opinion! 
The good news is that my sweet girl is perfectly fine, healthy and happy!  She was 7 lbs 10 oz, so not too small for being two weeks early.

One week old

Now, if I can remember to sleep when baby sleeps (I’m sooo tired!)
My oldest girl did get her drivers’ license (finally) during Spring Break, so maybe my chauffeur days will get easier.
The other kids are so in love with their tiny sister!