I'll get more pictures up soon, here and/or on facebook. I keep having my DH or parents bring me the wrong USB's. At home I usually just grab one and they all seem to work interchangeable but now I can't find one to save my life.
As far as the RCS. I suppose it would depend on the circumstances of your prior CS first. I went into labor with DS#1 at 2AM and he was born via CS at 1:37PM, so about 12 hours of labor with him. It was a hard labor, back labor and I progressed very fast. I pushed for about two hours with no progression or success, his head was stuck and swelling because he was facing the wrong way and was just a big kid.
The hospital I had him in was ghetto ... My doctor was great, loved him but being a first time mom and away from home it wasn't a very nuturing enviroment. Very sterial and cold, even the LD and Postpartum rooms ... no warm.
My recovering the first time was pretty good consider going through labor before hand. I didn't get to hold or see my DS (other than briefly after birth) for about 5-6 hours. There was no reason I was given other than they were busy ... he was in the nursery and DH stayed between my room and the nursery window. They were not working on DS or anything ... they just didn't have the staff to give him to DH.
Being first time parents we had no idea.
SOooooo this RCS.
I am in a different hospital with a different OB office. I had orginally decided to try for a VBAC and do a RCS for 40.5weeks if no labor by then. That was my decision from the start and it just never sat comfortably for me. I was scared the baby would be too big, I was scared I'd labor and end up with a c-section again because of that. It just didn't seem like the "right" decision. So I talked with the doctor about my concerns and my history and they felt that moving the RCS up to 39 weeks and if I went into Labor before that we'd get to the hospital do an U/S for an assement of the baby with size and position and decide on the spot if I wanted to try VBAC or go right in for RCS. That felt like the right choice for me. Leading upto 39 weeks, starting around 37, I was given the green light to try and naturally induce labor but everytime I thought about doing something .... I would get scared. I wasn't ready and wasn't sure about the VBAC idea.
So I waited .... The RCS itself was such a great experience ... my DH thinks I am crazy because I told him that it was one of those experiences that you wish you could go back and do again just so that you don't miss anything or forget anything. I showed up at the hospital at 7:30 and they brought me right to my L&D room. The nurse went over everything with me, had me change and climb into the bed to be put on monitors. At that point I was having contractions every 10 minutes, which I had been having for about 24 hours so far but not progressing! I had the IV, which had to be tried twice and that actually hurt quite a bit. It's different getting the IV and Epi when you aren't in labor pain and I was most nervous about that honestly. There was downtime but my nurse was awesome ... we talked about my experience in Florida and how horrible it was. They really went out of their way to make me comfortable. I also think being a second time mom and being a bit older, more confident really helped me to speak out a bit more and voice my concerns which have been met with NOTHING but comfort and clear answers.
The EPI guy came in and that's first time I actually became nervous ... started shaking and stuff. He was amazing though. Explained every step slowly and thoroughly. It hurt but it wasn't bad ... both the IV and Epi where worse than getting your blood drawn but nothing too crazy. I held DH's hand tighlty and breathed through them and it was ok.
It's wierd getting the EPI to start working when you aren't trying to block pain, it's a bit nerve wracking. Once we were ready to go to the OR and they laid me flat on my back the EPI made it feel like it was hard to breath which was a bit scary but they reassured me that it only feels like that and you are breathing fine. I told the nurses and the dr. rolling me into the OR that it was the oddest/craziest moment of my life, rolling in there complete aware of what was going on. They got me on the OR table and hooked me up to everything ... again the EPI doctor talking me through EVERYTHING. I was feeling nauseous and he helped me breath through it. One thing that I liked, which others might not, the doctor's told me that they'd be starting soon when I suspect that they were already halfway there. I was focusing on my breathing and I appreciated not getting the play by play of what they were doing. I felt pressure and tugging but nothing crazy .... the EPI dr. (I can't spell anthesiologist in case you can't tell!) told us when it was time and he took pics for us (DH too wobbly!!). It was amazing ... hearing him cry. They cleaned him right off about 10 feet from me and I could see him the whole time. As soon as he was born the EPI dr. gave me some anti-nausea medication in the IV and within seconds I felt GREAT. Not just mentally but physically I felt wonderful ... it was awesome. DH tooks pics of Ryan being cleaned up and then they gave him to him and he sat with me while they finished me up. Then DH and Ryan went back across the hall (literally) to my LD room to do Ryan's assessments and I was back there within 10 minutes. I had him in my arms within 5 of that and was nursing shortly their after. Because of the experience in Florida I made it clear that the one thing I really wanted was nursing and skin to skin contact ASAP in recovery. It was awesome ... I stayed in recovering for almost 2 hours and then they wheeled me, holding Ryan, to my maternity room which might as well be a room in the Holiday Inn ... it's warm and inviting and comfortable. It's not a "typical" hospital room at all. All the nurses have been great ... apparently they keep requesting me for their shifts because I am fairly low key and doing well!!
They had me up the first night around 8pm and it was ok ... Yesterday I was able to get up on my own by mid-day and today as well. My EPI meds are done as of today and I am onto oral drugs as needed. It's just been amazing. They healing process is so much better without all the labor involved. I can actually sit straight up in bed, as of last night, and change the baby on my lap!!
I am sorry, I kind of used this as my "birth story" but I wanted to give you a clear idea of everything!!
If you have questions please ask ... I feel so strongly this was the right decision. DH and I have every retracted our thoughts that we would not have more kids because things have been so positive so far!
Were you feeling girl on this one?
It will be some inconvenience for you with the extra drive, but so worth it to know your baby is getting the best care!
i.e. Oh, you're due in September? Ohhh I'm due in June! Haha I'm more pregnant than you! Even if it's like a week difference in due dates! It's like when you were 5 and some other kid was a week older than you and they always held it over your head or got to pick first because they're *older*... by a week!
Ryan Bradford! 7lbs 15oz, 20.5 inches!! 
