Welcome To The World!

Even though I concluded this blog in August and already wrote my seasonal update this past weekend, I had to share the good news about my cousin, Kate! She delivered a healthy, 7-lb. 19-inch baby girl at 1:14 am on Sunday, October 3rd!

My cousin lost her firstborn, a son named Caden, in October 2007, three days after she gave birth at 26-weeks-gestation. :( So we were all thrilled when she had a full-term daughter, Adyson, on December 31, 2008. . .and now Caroline Joanne!

Kate was scheduled for a c-section on October 6th but really wanted to have a vaginal birth since she'd already had a c-section with Adyson. She was 39 weeks and getting antsy because the days were ticking by and she was worried that she'd have to have another c-section. Kate had a cerclage done with both of her daughters early in the pregnancies because otherwise she would have delivered them at the same point that she did with Caden, but even after it was taken out at 36 weeks she did not dilate past 1 cm.

On Friday night, October 1st, her water broke a little. By Saturday morning, October 2nd, she hadn't experienced contractions but after 10 hrs of her water trickling out she felt it best to go to the hospital. Unfortunately, she wasn't very dilated and so after a few hours of no progression she was given pitocin. That made her want an epidural -- but finally at 11:30 pm she was fully dilated and ready to push! Two hours later Caroline was born. Despite the long labor, she said it was better/easier than having a c-section.

I'm so glad that everything went well and that she had the successful VBAC that she wanted!

Both Kate and Caroline are doing great! Caroline looks like a little sweetheart!