I went in to be induced on October 1st in the evening. They checked me, but I was only 1.5 cm dilated (I had hoped for more). The baby was still high at that point, so my doctor started the pitocin in hopes that I would dilate and the contractions would force the baby down.
I was on pitocin through the night, and contracting fairly regularly, though the contractions were not horribly painful. The nurses checked me several times, and I wasn't progressing at all, so after 12 hrs, they stopped the pitocin and gave me cytotech--the pill that softens the cervix. After about 12 hrs and 3 doses of that, things finally started happening. Once I got to 3 cm, my doctor started me back on pitocin, and things got moving pretty quickly. The contractions started to become very uncomfortable, and I asked for an epidural, but was told I couldn't have one until I was 4 cm. The nurse left for a while, and the contractions were getting really strong. I couldn't take it much more, so I called her back in after about an hour.
The nurse came in and checked me again and said I was at 5 cm, and that the anesthesiologist could come give me my epidural. I got up to use the bathroom, and when I sat down on the toilet, my water broke. Every time I have had my water break during labor (usually the doctor does it) my labor progresses very quickly afterwards, so I told the nurse to hurry and call my doctor back in (he had gone home). By the time the anesthesiologist got my epidural going, I was at 7 cm, and by the time my doctor got there 15 minutes later, I was ready to push. I am so glad my doctor made it in time--he is awesome, and I would have been disappointed to have someone else deliver my baby.
The whole time I was pushing, I kept thinking, "Please be a boy, please be a boy!" but I still really thought I was going to have a girl. After about 20 minutes of pushing, Sawyer was born. The doctor announced, "It's a boy!" and the first thing I said was, "REALLY?" and "Are you SURE?" and then my doctor handed the baby to me so I could see for myself. It was the most amazing surprise ever!! I got to hold him for a long time before they wanted to clean him up, and I got to cut the cord (I have never done that with any other baby--the doctor has always done it).
He was born at 3:02 am on October 3rd, and he weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and was 21" long (a pound and an inch bigger than all my other babies!).
Here are a couple pictures of my sweet baby boy. :)
Attachment 5317
Attachment 5316
