Time with the Tolands: Rhiannon Bloomer Toland

Rhiannon Bloomer Toland was born Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 20:59. She weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 20 inches long. I chose to be induced on Sunday because it was our 6th wedding anniversary. Thirty-four and a half years ago, I was born on my parents' 6th anniversary.

I also chose not to get an epidural...call me crazy! I wanted to know what labor felt like and to see how much pain I could endure. I also know that with epidurals, the recovery time takes longer and it inhibits breastfeeding in the baby. After strong contractions and pushing her out, the hard part is done...or so we thought. The placenta was still attached so I had to have surgery to remove it. I was wheeled into the operating room and put under for this procedure after the doctor tried to do it manually! Graphic, yes! Painful, YES!!! I was losing a lot of blood and there was possibility of having to have transfusions but my doctor operated quickly and I didn't need blood.