All through my pregnancy I was worried the most about labor and delivery! I was so anxious that it would be so painful but it was actually a fast, easy, and calm experience for me. I requested to be induced at 39 weeks because I love my OB and she was going to be on vacation the week I was due. I wanted to ensure that she delivered my baby.

We got to the hospital at 830pm and walked right back to our room to get set up for induction. I was already 2cm and 75% effaced on my own. The dr decided to start with the tablet for induction that would stay in and dissolve after 4 hours. That was inserted at 11:30pm. Contractions started around 2:00am and quickly escalated in strength and frequency. At 3:30am I was started on a low dose oxytocin drip via IV. At 4:33am the on call Dr. checked and I was 4cm and my water broke. Contractions were getting closer together and stronger so I took Tylenol and requested the epidural. The epidural was done at 5:50am, but immediately after, Landon's heart rate dropped from 130 to 70 so the nurses flipped me on all fours to get him in a better position and raise his heart rate. I was able to relax until Dr. Gray Swain checked me at 7:00am. I was 9cm and while she was checking I had a contraction that took me to 10cm and she said to start pushing when I had the urge. At 7:20am, the nurse and Aaron assisted me with the pushing while my dr made a few phone calls and let me progress. Soon after she came back and Landon was crowning, so we were close! I was able to reach down and touch his head for the first time and see just how much hair he had. In the meantime the doctor had to hurry and get dressed before he came out on the next few pushes. As he was coming out, I was able to reach down and pull him out and onto my chest. In total I pushed for 39 min and he was born at 8:09am. 6lbs 4oz, 19 1/4" long. Aaron was able to cut the umbilical cord. I had a 2nd degree tear and required 2 perineal stitches and 2 peri-urethral stitches. Landon was turned transverse (face up) during delivery, and the umbilical cord pulled around his neck after he was delivered. He was not affected by this as they quickly undid the cord (I had no idea this had even happened, as it happened so quickly). The doctor was also able to quarter turn Landon so he was delivered on his side.

Landon is now 15 weeks old, 14.5lbs and 22.5" tall!