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Welcome to the world, Baby3!! Mommy is going to wait a few weeks/months to figure out your alias on Mandarin Mama, but rest assured, we’ll make sure it’s appropriate to your personality.

I know most people care about stats so here are the pertinent details:

8lbs 1oz
19.5 in long
13.75 in head
100% awesomeness
100% cutesiness
100% wantedness

Prior to Baby3, I never understood how some women would want their babies out sooner than later. After all, babies are much easier to care for inside than out. I wish to apologize to you all.

Even though all three of my pregnancies have been exceedingly easy and without complication (and never past 39 weeks), I had been increasingly uncomfortable – more so than I recall for my other two. I was quite ready to be done, thank you!

Plus, I admit, the hugely petty side of me wanted to prove my mother wrong. (She declared that Baby3 would make it to Induction Monday at 39 weeks despite all evidence pointing to the contrary). Yes, I am an ass. Of monumental proportions. But what matters most is that I was right. 😉

What I find so embarrassing is that despite this being my third baby, I was STILL totally clueless about labor. Sigh. The last time I’d gone into labor was 3.5+ years ago with Cookie Monster at 39 weeks and my water never broke. I got an epidural and had a textbook labor until I couldn’t push him out after 2.5 hours of pushing. Then even after vacuuming three times, he was still stuck. So it was an emergency C-section for me!

For Gamera, I wanted to get a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section) since I was planning on having four kids. I did NOT want to be sliced open four times! I switched OBs and was induced at 39 weeks and never felt any pain because I got an epidural almost immediately after induction. I pushed for about 15-20 minutes but she also got stuck (she was facing up) and my OB yelled, “Clear the hallway!” as he was suiting up. However, after vacuuming three times, he decided to try once more and Gamera turned and slid out, perfect and slimy.

For Baby3, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to have another successful VBAC because he was a boy and likely to be bigger than Gamera. Since both kids got stuck at 39 weeks, I was going to be induced at 39 weeks again instead of letting nature take its course. But I was convinced he was going to come early – and I admit, I tried to get him out. I went for a pedicure, a massage, and finally, I went to the happiest place on earth with my two kids by myself. Costco! There, I lifted heavy things and walked as much as I could.

Turns out Costco did the trick. My water broke that evening at 5:45 and after a few hours (hey, I had to finish packing, get my kids dinner, and wait for my mom to show up) we finally arrived at the hospital. I wasn’t feeling any of my contractions so that helped a lot. Then, even though I got an epidural, I guess it wasn’t amped up enough because it still hurt like a mother. Thank God for drugs because I can only imagine more pain! *shudder*

Anyhow, I pushed about 10-15 minutes and again, Baby3 was facing up. My OB turned him face down and a few more pushes and out he came! It was so cool to see the doctor pull him out of me! (I didn’t get to see that for my other two.) Apparently, love at first sight can happen three times in a row. 🙂

I have always been very lucky in the breastfeeding department and Baby3 is no exception. Although no one told me until this baby that nursing the third kid, you may think you’re going through labor again because holy fuck the cramping is so bad. :/ Apparently the uterus is so stretched out it takes more work to get back to normal. So it hurts a lot. But there are also drugs for that if you should so choose.

Also, VBACs are awesome. I thought so last time and still think so this time. While I am exceedingly grateful for the C-section with my first, I was on pain meds for at least six weeks and didn’t leave the house for four months. (Ok, that might’ve been more due to my laziness and general new mom overwhelmedness.) My scar hurt and ached for almost eighteen months afterward.

Recovery from a VBAC is amazing. Obviously, there are tears and aches, but far less lochia (bleeding) and infinitely less pain. Plus, poop resumes on schedule a ton quicker! If you are considering a VBAC, I highly recommend it. Do your research, obviously, and YMMV, but I can’t say enough great things about it.

Anyhow, I’m sure that was more than enough TMI for now. If you are considering a VBAC or have any questions about one, feel free to ask and I’d be happy to answer in detail.

Thanks for reading, folks! It’s been a wonderful few days getting used to a newborn again. (They sure cry a lot! Why can’t they just tell me what they want again? Oh right. They can’t talk.) Have a beautiful day!