Drumroll please!!! Introducing Ms Lucy Kathryn Bratcher!

She's finally here! As much as I was enjoying pregnancy, we were all ready to meet Ms Lucy. She took some prodding and poking to make her entrance into this world. I am impressed with how comfortable she was and how hesitant my body was to get her moving. I plan on letting our fertility specialist know what a fine job she did preparing my body. ;) 

We were scheduled for induction on Tuesday, September 13th at 5:00pm as long as nothing had happened yet. We waited and waited and waited some more and nothing. So Tuesday at 5:00 was the plan. It was the plan until the hospital called that day at 1:00pm and let me know that they were full. They were so full that they asked me to wait until 7:30 to call and see if there was an open room. So after waiting 3 years, 1 month and 13 days for a baby.....what's a few more hours, right? So at 7:30 we call and the staff says that they will call us back..... we wait until 8:30 with no word, so we call again. At this point, I am ready to wait until the next day to start. There was no medical reason to rush, which is why the hospital knew I could wait. So when we call at 8:30, the hospital lets us know that they can have a room ready at 10:00pm. So we hang out until they are ready and go at 10:00. 
It was quite the evening...... that's a lot of anticipation on top of excitement and anxiousness. 

So at 41 weeks and 4 days, we are at the hospital getting ready to induce. We didn't get things started until about 11:30, so it was almost Wednesday by then! Without too many details, this was almost the worst part.... it was awful. So we hung out and napped until the next day when we started the pitocin to get contractions started. That was a whole other adventure and another whole day. By 10:00pm, it was time to push- so push I did...until almost 12:00..... At this point my doctor gave me a list of options. I was doing everything right and Lucy was not in distress- yet.  I could keep pushing, take a break and try again or get prepared for a c-section. Ms Lucy was sure making me work for it!  After weighing my options, a c-section was the best choice for me. I was prepped and in the operating room by 12:15. By 12:28, Lucy had made her appearance along with comments from the hospital staff and doctors such as, "Good call on the c-section!" "She's the size of a toddler!" "Wow, we've got a big baby here." And my favorite, "The moment of truth, she weighs....10 pounds and 15 ounces!!" All while "Uptown Funk" played in the background


Thursday, September 15th. 

 So I am oh so glad I went with the c-section. :) When I got it together, Matt had taken care of Lucy and she was ready to be cuddled. What a sweet, sweet moment it was. I wanted to know, did she have tons of hair, did she have my short little thumbs, whose nose is that? All the fun questions answered! It was unreal. So we stayed up all night admiring her awesome-ness and it was perfect. 

The next day was all over the place. We were seen by every doctor, nurse and hospital staff in existence but every single one commented on how sweet and beautiful (and big) she was. Everyone loved on her and kept us comfortable. The staff was awesome to say the least! We were well taken care of, for sure. My favorite question- "Did you know she was going to be this big?" and my response- "My doctor estimated 8 pounds..."
We were discharged on Saturday afternoon. Home is the best place ever after using a hospital shower and sleeping in a hospital bed.  We are doing great and moving & grooving! Lucy has figured our where the food comes from, we are learning she can be a little demanding. ;) 

Big thanks to several people who made us dinners to warm up, it has been amazing to have one less thing to worry about. Thanks to all who have checked on us, we love you!!! 

Also, just know Matt is an expert diaper changer and carseat buckler among other talents now. He is rocking this role of super- dad! I couldn't have survived the hospital without him waiting on me hand and foot! He is the best. 

More to come later!!!
#ThinkPositive
#BabyLucyisHere
#TheLifeofLucy

Luuuucy.... What are you waiting for? ;)

So here we are, 41 weeks and a day..... still waiting. 

     I checked in with my doctor on Friday and we are looking good. Too good. 
The fluids keeping Lucy healthy are just right, my blood pressure is great and her heart rate is wonderful. So we wait... with no medical reason to induce, we decided to wait her out again. 

     Last week, Dr. Lewis gave us the option of inducing on Tuesday (just 4 days past the due date) but we decided to wait because we had a ultrasound done and everything was looking good. At the time, I wasn't super uncomfortable so I figured- why rush her? I had "made a deal" with Lucy that she had to wait until September- she followed directions. :) So now it is time for a new deal...Let's go Lucy. The new deal is, you have to be out before we get to 42 weeks (Friday). So no matter her preference- we WILL have a baby by the weekend!! There is an end in sight to this stage. 

37 weeks, 39 weeks, 40 weeks

41 weeks! 

    


 Now, I am starting to feel a little uncomfortable... its like I can feel how heavy she is! I can't seem to stand up as quickly as I could just last week and rolling over is proving to be more difficult everyday. I am excited to think how healthy she will be and we are taking bets on how much hair she will have- with all this extra time to grow. 
 I am just imagining a very relaxed, calm and easy-going girl that is in no hurry to be bossed around. And I am okay with that. 

     I want to remember that we weren't just waiting at this point. Bouncing on an exercise ball while eating pineapple just didn't do it yesterday. Walking with the intention of getting things going wasn't much help either... I have purchased some raspberry leaf tea but haven't gotten to drinking it quite yet. We are ready!!!!

#LetsGoLucy