As many of you know, we were expecting a sweet little girl this June, but apparently she had other plans and decided she wanted to join the family a little early. A few days ago, we welcomed our baby girl and couldn't be more thrilled!
This experience was completely different than the birth of our son. He was 4 days late and my doctors ended up inducing labor. I had Pitocin, an epidural, my water broken... pretty much lots of medical assistance to get the ball rolling. Thankfully, I delivered a healthy (and extremely handsome if I do say so myself) baby boy after about 10 hours of medication. All those interventions took a toll on my body though and my recovery period was painful and lengthy. I was so sore and swollen for a few weeks afterward and it was a few months before I really felt like myself again.
This pregnancy was a breeze compared to my first. I'm sure that has to do with the fact that I'm a work at home mom now instead of standing on my feet in a hospital all day. I felt so much better overall, with the exception of raging heartburn... but even that wasn't as bad as the first time around.
Honestly, I was prepared for this little girl to be late. I figured the experience would be a lot like the first time since that's all I knew and just hoped I'd go into labor naturally this time. Well, I got that wish for sure!
A few nights ago (at 36 weeks and 6 days into my pregnancy), I woke up at 1 AM and noticed I was having a contraction. It wasn't horrible and I'd been having intermittent weak contractions for the past few weeks so I blew it off and went back to sleep. Around 3 AM I woke up to another, but more intense contraction. I got up and went to the bathroom, then tried to go back to sleep but another contraction came about 10 minutes later. Then another 10 minutes after that. I decided to get up and get some water and change positions - figuring it if was false labor and it would go away. A little after 4 AM, I decided to take a shower to see if that would make me feel more comfortable and relaxed. By the time I got out of the shower I was overcome with nausea and started vomiting. My husband came to check on me and I told him he needed to call my mom and to call our close family friend to come stay with the Wubba while we went to the hospital. Still, in the back of my mind, I thought I'd get to the hospital and they'd tell me I was in false labor and I'd be sent home.
By the time our family friend arrived at a little after 5 AM, I was having severe contractions about 5 minutes apart. We live about 2 miles from the hospital (thank God it's a short distance!) and arrived at 5:30 AM. Apparently I looked pretty bad (and was still vomiting) so the triage nurse said she wanted to check my cervix right then and there. She told me I was 8 cm dilated and hurried us upstairs to the labor and delivery unit.
Once I got wheeled into the delivery room it all went so fast. They asked me a ton of questions, hooked me up to the monitors, obtained an IV, and said my doctor was on the way. They asked me if I wanted an epidural and I said, "I'd LOVE an epidural!" I guess it was too late by that point though and once my doctor arrived about 10 minutes later he said I think it's time for you to just push. They did give me a very small dose of IV Nubain to take the edge off the pain and that helped me stop vomiting so I could start pushing.
After just 3 pushes, little miss made her appearance. She's a teeny little lady but absolutely perfect. We are just so in love!
Say hello to Winnie!
Big brother came to meet her the next day and although he isn't totally interested in her just yet, he's coming around and I know he's going to be a great helper.
I did have quite a bit of postpartum bleeding once I got to the mother/baby unit, but with some medication that finally resolved. I'm a bit tired from the blood loss, but overall this recovery has been so amazingly different. I'm much less sore, much more mobile, and of course more at ease since this is our second baby.
We got home yesterday and are all adjusting quite well.
LIZ says
Felicidades! Congrats!!
Penni says
Congrats on the arrival of your precious new family member! Best wishes for her good health and happiness in the years to come!
Mrs P says
congratulations on your beautiful daughter! They sure do decide when they feel like coming, don't they?
Sarah Penney says
She is precious!! You look great. Why do babies make it so hard to have them? 🙂 congratulations!
Janice Dean says
Congratulations Ruth and family!!
Carolyn Allen Russell says
Oh my gosh, CONGRATULATIONS! It's amazing how different each labor can be 😉 (My friend just had the opposite experience of yours - her first two kids came FAST and were born within two hours of arriving at the hospital. She fully expected that to be the case with her third, and instead after being there for most of a day she ended up with a C-section when the baby became distressed. You just can't guess!). But I'm so happy for you that she was healthy and you were able to go home so quickly even though she was a bit earlier than anticipated 🙂 I hope you all continue to settle into a good routine and heal nicely!
Jana says
WOW! Congratulations! She is absolutely beautiful!!!
Anne Sweden says
Ruth, she is exquisitely beautiful!! I bet you are so glad that's over and I'm so sorry you were sick during labor. Best wishes and prayers for your family!
kim vh says
She is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations a million times over. Thank you for sharing your story and can't wait to hear many more. 🙂
Maria says
Congratulations!
Robert says
Everyone loves a baby!! Especially a baby girl!! Annnnnnnd from first hand experience.. There has to be a bow for EVERY DOGGONE OUTFIT!! Lol
Stacy Renee says
Congrats! She is beautiful!
Cindy B says
So happy things went so smoothly (sans the vomiting). Glad you both are healthy. Check you hemiplex (iron supplement by Nature's Plus vitamins). Really helped me after losing a lot of blood with my first. Blessings to you all as you adjust to being a family of four.
Cindy B says
oops check you should be check "out"
Karen Jaras says
Congratulations! I love babies, but I love grandbabies best!
Jan Lee says
Hi Winnie and congratulations again to you and your family 🙂
Theresa Smith says
Congratulations! She is precious!
Linda Mannst says
She is beautiful. Congratulations and enjoy every minute you spend with her
Sandy Cain says
What a beauty! Congrats on the new addition! (And thanks for sharing your story!)
katklaw777 says
Peace and best wishes to you, your little one and your family!
Tara Short says
Congrats to you and your family! She's a doll and I'm glad you are recovering well! 😀
Michelle Bardos says
Congrats on your beautiful little girl!!! Im glad everything went smoothly and you're all adjusting well
Sally says
Welcome to the world Winnie! Congrats to all of you! I did the same route as you my first pregnancy and I was worried about my second as well but like you it was a breeze! I'm thankful you are all home and doing well!!
Sally says
Welcome to the world Winnie! Congrats to all of you! I did the same route as you my first pregnancy and I was worried about my second as well but like you it was a breeze! I'm thankful you are all home and doing well!! God bless you all!
Becky Regnier says
Congrats on your beautiful daughter! I love her name! Your story sounds similar to mine too (minus all the vomiting), but I woke up at 2 am eith mild contractions and blew them off, woke up again at 4 am, blew them off. Woke up again at 5 am, still mild but 5 minutes apart. I decided I would take a shower snd drop my son off at school and then go to the hospital and get checked. So i got there by 8:30 and they said I was only 3-4 cm, go walk around for an hour and come back. So I just went home, but by the time I was about to head back my water broke and the horrible, painful contractions came. By the time I got back to the hospital I was ready to push and my daughter was there about 30 minutes later! No time for pain meds, which made me so nervous but I did it and I was really happy the recovery was easier and I survived natural child birth. Infact I had another quick delivery all natural again 5 weeks ago!
Heather Mckenzie Carter says
Congratulations!!! I am so glad to hear it went so swell 🙂 Welcome to the world Winnie!!! 🙂 <3
Melida says
How sweet. Congratulations on the addition to your family.
Amanda Jordan says
Congratulations! What an adorable addition.
Cathy Jarolin says
Congratulations. Your Baby Daughter is just Beautiful like her Mommy~ So Happy that she's here and you Both are doing well. God Bless.. :0)~~~~~
Stephanie Murphy says
Yay! Congrats! So beautiful!
Michelle Kelly says
Congratulations!! She's beautiful. Glad you are feeling well. I'm SO scared the doctors are going to tell me it's too late for an epidural, that's my biggest fear!!
Amber Ludwig says
Ooh wow!! Fast fast fast!! I'm so happy for you and your family! She's beautiful!!!
Elizabeth Johnson says
Oh so is adorable amd you didnt even look pregnant. You look great Ruth. Congratulations what a blessing.
Danny Garza says
Congratulations! We see happy happy happy all around her!!!
Kelly Maxwell says
Congrats, she is beautiful!!
Carrie H. says
Congratulations on your beautiful little girl! She looks like you 🙂
Marcie M. says
She looks like you!! Adorable!
Holly Thomas says
She is so cute, Congrats!!
Marsha C says
Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl!
Leanna Morris says
What a beautiful precious gift from above! Congratulations to the entire family!
robyn cobb says
she is adorable 🙂
Jennifer Nixon says
She's so sweet! !! Congratulations
Jackie says
Congratulations! She is beautiful! I hope you are both doing well.
Rachel says
Congratulations! She is adorable!
Leela says
Congratulations.. she's beautiful!
Laurie Arnheim says
She is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Congrats to you & your family! So glad you made it to the hospital! I had the same experience with my 2nd child... So wonderful & magical! ENJOY!!!!
Kim Simpson says
Congratulations!!!! You look so happy and the picture with Wubba is so precious. What a sweet little family! I'm glad you're feeling so much better and that the birth, while certainly not easy, was easier. Well done Ruth. You have a beautiful baby girl. 🙂
Carolyn Massey says
Congratulations on a sweet baby girl. They are so precious and a blessing. I am a great grandmother of a 2 year old and we think we love our kids and grand kids but nothing like a great grand baby.
polly says
Congrats...she is just darling! Love her name!
Shakeia Rieux says
Congrats to you and your familyl!She is beautiful!
Maria D. says
Congratulations on your new baby girl! She's gorgeous and it sounds like you had a much, much better experience this time around! And yes...you do have a handsome son:)
wendy browne says
Winnie is such a cute name!
Carol Denny says
Beautiful baby ! Congratulations.
Jennifer W says
What an absolute whirlwind! Congratulations to your family! 😀
Heather Barnes says
Congratulations! What a beautiful little lady! So glad you had a much easier time of it and are recovering quickly. 😀
Amanda Alvarado says
Aaaww congrats! She is so tiny!!!
Cindy Brooks says
She's adorable and I think she has your eyes, congratulations!
Diane Sallans says
what a cute little snuggler!
Marian says
Congratulations! She's adorable!
christine k says
Congratulations, she's gorgeous! 🙂
Lynn B says
Congratulations, she is adorable!
Laura V says
Congratulations, how exciting! I am glad that you are all safe and doing so well back home already!
Lauralee Hensley says
What a precious little girl. Love the picture of her in your arms. Congratulations to your whole family and I'm sure big brother will end up over heels about her soon.
Delirah Morales says
Congratulations!!!! 😀 I've been on vacation in FL so I totally missed this on my news feed. She's absolutely precious! Great choice on her name too 🙂 .
Terri S. says
Congratulations to you & your family on your beautiful baby girl! WELCOME TO OUR WORLD WINNIE! 🙂
Elisabeth says
Congratulations! Thanks for providing details of your birth! I"m pregnant with our first so every story I read helps. 😉 It sounds like things went really smoothly. I'm hoping to give birth without an epidural and this reassures me.
Cathy Jarolin says
Congratulations! You little angel is beautiful! I am so glad it went Smoother for you this time. If your like me every baby got easier. I had 3...Best of luck to you and your Precious Family!!