Like my last pregnancy, I developed gestational hypertension in my third trimester.  Simply put, I had high blood pressure.  It doesn't sound like too scary of a thing but it causes swelling, headaches, and is a precursor for preeclampsia. That last one is what really causes doctors to worry.  You don't want to mess around with preeclampsia. Some of the complications associated with preeclampsia are seizures, stroke, and heart failure among others.  Yikes!  Luckily, I have never been diagnosed with it.

At my 36 week appointment my OB was concerned with my blood pressure.  It had been hovering around the at risk mark for several weeks.  I had also started swelling substantially.  This isn't your run-of-the-mill puffy ankles.  By this point you would be lucky to tell where my ankles even were.  I looked similar to that bratty girl on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory that gets turned into a human blueberry. Except I don't turn blue.  It's pretty uncomfortable, and by that I mean SEVERELY uncomfortable.

My OB mentioned that if my blood pressure was still high the next week we would discuss induction.  It didn't surprise me.  I was induced with my first son and had a very good experience with it.   I was more afraid of going into labor naturally because I have no idea what it feels like to do that.  My labors are extremely fast (my first clocking in at 6 hours total), and I always fear that I won't make it to the hospital in time.

The next week rolled around and my blood pressure had finally hopped over the at risk line. I assumed my induction would be scheduled for the next day but, to my surprise, my OB very casually said, "Let's have him today.  Head on over to the hospital whenever you are ready."  My face must have looked fairly amusing because he started laughing at me.  He was very casual about the whole situation.  He told me to run whatever errands I needed and then head to the hospital.  He made it sound like it was just another task to be completed.  Go to the grocery store, Check. Fold the laundry, Check. Birth a baby, Check.  I couldn't help but laugh.

The next few hours were a bit of a blur.  Two of my great friends took shifts watching my son.  Mister worked out his work schedule. I packed my hospital bag. My mom found a flight to Texas. And by early afternoon we were checking in at the hospital.

Since Mister works at the Medical Center he knew a few of the people who were working the Labor & Delivery floor.  I always thought I would hate having anyone who knew us be there, but I actually really enjoyed it.  Everything seemed much more laid back.  Lots of casual conversations and laughing. It definitely took the edge off.

I'll be honest, my labors aren't very exciting.  I don't have horror stories or long drawn out hours of intense pain.  My epidurals have always worked. The hospital staff has always been amazing.  Labor is the most enjoyable part about the entire 9 month process.

This is how it went down.

They broke my water and started the pitocin at 3pm.  I got my epidural shortly after, and by 5:30pm I was holding my baby in my arms.  My fear of having my next before I can get to the hospital is substantially higher now.

My first thought when they handed him to me was how tiny he was, and how much he looked like his older brother.  #1 is on  the left and #2 on the right. And, yes, we did recreate this picture on purpose!

We have been home now for 3 weeks.  Our entire world has been turned upside down.  We are scrambling to get our heads straight and figure out how to do this thing called life with 2 kids. But on top of all of that, we are filled with so much happiness.  Things will calm down, our routine will shift and change,  but this love is here to stay.