My Star Wars Baby!

I went in at midnight on the fourth to start my induction. I was exactly 40 weeks. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, my first son was born at 39+2, I was 3cm and in active labor but because my blood pressure was super high, my doctor broke my water and started me on pitocin. Labor and delivery with my first was smooth, the epidural took all the pain away, and I pushed for an hour. However, this time it was a night and day difference. They started me on Cytotek to thin my cervix. Contractions were regular, but not super painful. After a few doses, the doctor came in at 8am to break my water. The second that happened, the contractions were the worst thing I had ever felt in my life. They started me on pitocin, and offered me nitrous oxide to combat the pain from the contractions. I tried it, but it didn't work. I still felt the pain, but also felt like I wasn't there and I was high. I wasn't allowed an epidural until I was 4cm and I refused IV meds. Once I hit 4cm (contractions were still very strong and painful), I got the epidural. It worked pretty quickly, but this time, it only numbed my right side. I still felt every contraction on my left side. Unfortunately, by the time I was conflicted on redoing the epi or dealing with the pain, I had dilated to a 9, and it was almost time to push. The most intense amount of pressure near my butt and vagina took over and I knew it was time and felt EVERYTHING. They paged my doctor, and he got there in ten minutes and by then the baby was crowning. Three pushes later and the most pain of my life, he was here! His cord was wrapped around his neck twice, but doctors worked quickly and he was completely fine. He weighed 7lbs 15 oz (an entire pound less than his older brother), and was 20.75 inches long. I did end up having a second degree midline tear that required some stitching, but we're both doing well! We had a 60 hour total hospital stay, but we've been home for 2 days and its been great. We named him Noah Carter. 💙