I knew from the day I found out I was pregnant my daughter was going to be a stubborn as I am.

40 weeks pregnant and no baby. I begged my doctor to induce me. I loved being pregnant but I was so done. My feet look like sausages. I’ve never been so swollen and so uncomfortable in my entire life.

Luckily my doctor agreed to induce me on my due date. I was so excited that within 24 hours I would meet my daughter. The hospital called early every checked in at 2 PM on Sunday, March 23, 2014.  My baby girl is finally coming!

The nurses started the medication around four and I had contractions often on for the next few hours. They let me have a snack before 10 and I settled in for the evening with my iPad and book thinking it could be any time that the baby would come. The contractions were strong but nothing that I couldn’t handle. I fell asleep for a few hours and woke around 2 am when my nurse came to check on me.   I wasn’t really progressing and the nurse was concerned that if I didn’t take an epidural since I was in pain I wouldn’t be able to get one the next day. So I caved. I took the epidural.

The anesthesiologist came in around 4 AM and gave me my epidural. It was literally like the lambs stop crying. I was the most relaxed I had been in weeks I felt great. I have the best sleep of my life that night and didn’t wake up until my doctor came in to break my water at 8 AM. But the baby wasn’t coming.  Mt doctor broke my water, started some medication and told me he would be back later in the day to deliver the baby.

To get me progressing the nurses, who were AWESOME, used an exercise ball between my legs to open me up.  By 2pm I was 6cm dialated.  I tried to relax and take it easy but I started to feel really uncomfortable, like I was burning.  I told my partner that I felt like it I pushed the baby would come right out.  He told me I was crazy.  Nothing new there…I yelled for him to get the nurse.

Luckily for me crazy wins because when the nurse came in to check me, a mere 20 minutes after her last check, I was 10cm and ready to have this baby.  Call the doctor! Mom, don’t push! Call her parents!  This kids is coming pronto!

At exactly 3pm, without my doctor, my daughter Brooklyn Rose came into the world.  I have never felt that level of joy and love instantly swell in my being.  Although labor was by far one of the easiest things I have ever done, being a mom and keeping it all together is definitely the hardest.  I wouldn’t change anything in this world.  🙂

More tomorrow..