Avery Blair Cook

AVERY BLAIR COOK

July 2, 2010

9:19 p.m.

6 pounds, 7 ounces, 19 1/2 inches

Friday morning we went in for our follow-up visit and Avery's heart rate was still high. After the non-stress test, my doctor consulted with her partner and we talked about our choices. One was an ultrasound and the other induction. The ultrasound could show certain things but it could also look okay and offer no explanation for the high heart rate and those doctors could recommend I just go home. If that were the case and we still decided to induce, there could be insurance issues. My doctor was worried because she didn't know what was going on and she recommended induction. If we went home, she would want us to go back every day to check Avery's heart rate because there would be no way for me to know at home if it was high or not. The only risk with delivering a bit early would be Avery's lungs wouldn't be fully developed but all that would require would be some assistance for a few days to fix. We opted for induction for many reasons.

Immediately after our appointment, we headed to the hospital and my induction began around 10:30 am. I was really nervous even though I already had one baby, but this delivery was so much faster and smoother! Once I was actively in labor, it didn't take very long at all for our sweet baby to arrive! Dr. W always surprises Brian and I because she comes in to check on me and all of a sudden says its time to push. This time she made me push a few times to get Avery's head down and then she instructed the nurse to set up the bed and before I knew it, Avery was here! I also felt so much better afterwards and was able to move around more. (with the exception of the epidural sticking to my right leg more. I had to wait in the delivery room until 3 am until I could finally get up to go to the bathroom and change rooms.) I always wondered how people looked so good in pictures after they had given birth and how they had energy to change clothes and put on makeup but I even did that this time. When Dr. W came to check on me Sunday morning, my bags were packed and I was dressed and ready to go home! Recovery has been so much easier this time around and I am enjoying my sweet baby girl so much!!

Avery checked out great and does not appear to have any problems. It looks like she may have just wanted to arrive early and meet her family. We'll follow up with her pediatrician this week to get her checked out again. She has been doing great! So far she doesn't fuss much unless she's hungry or you change her diapers or clothes :-)