June 27th 2013. The day I was to be induced for the 5th time. I was and always have been hopeful to go into labor on my own, but after Camden being induced a day after I was due weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 oz. and pushing his big head out for 3 1/2 hrs., I have elected to end my subsequent pregnancies at 39 weeks pregnant. Each of those babies have weighed in at 8.0,8.0, 8.1 and now 7.14....i think 39 weeks is long enough! Also with the last four, it has taken exactly 6 hrs. from the time I checked in till the time I have delivered. Not too bad in my book. So here is my birth story in a nutshell:)
6:30 a.m. I checked into the hospital and was made comfortable in my cozy little room. Before long I was hooked up to this little bag of gold. Pitocin is controversial....not to me. It has helped my body get moving along in what it had been trying to do for weeks. I was dilated to a 3+ almost a 4 when I got there. My body wanted to go into labor...it just needed a jump start!
Let's get this show on the road!
This little monitor was a bit of stress for me. My nurse didn't realize how anxious I get and she came in and told me the baby was being a bit of a stinker and his heart rate kept dropping with my contractions. This mom did NOT want to end up with a c-section on her 5th baby so I watched his little heart rate drop each time I had a contraction and worried. My nurse later came in and apologized and said to let her do the worrying...nice try:)
See my pulse...116....I was a little nervous! My doctor came in and she attempted to break my water. It broke, but nothing came out. The baby's head was already snuggled deeply in my pelvis and acted as a dam so nothing came out. Kind of weird. Even after I got up and used the bathroom I still didn't feel the gush I usually do. Contractions still got more intense and I was ready for an epidural. By 10:30 I was numb and comfortable.
By noon I was at a 5 but completely effaced. That is the clincher for me. I knew it wouldn't be long.
By 1:00 I was at a 9+ and the doctor was on her way. I am ready to be done!
I was numb, but still in transition...I didn't really feel well but I was so excited to almost be done!!
The doctor came in at about 1:25 and got all set up. She was ready to get me pushing and waited for a contraction. I pushed three times. Hayden's heart rate dropped a lot. She calmly looked at me and said "Let's get him here, let's keep pushing!"
So I did. Three pushes later this little bundle made his appearance.
He was perfect. The cord had been wrapped around his neck and his arm. All of those gymnastics he'd been practicing had gotten him in a bind. He made it through though and didn't even need oxygen. Here are many pictures. I think they are all so cute and didn't want to leave any out.:)
Darin was on photo duty. I think he did an excellent job!!
Here I am so happy to have Hayden finally here, and lovin my new space in my stomach and sipping my grape juice. Nothing like grape juice after birth. I am not sure why that is my juice of choice after I have a baby, but I LOVE it!
Calling to tell the kids they have a new baby brother!
Yeah...my first baby to be in the 7 lb. range. All the others were 8's so I just wanted to have one in the 7's! He actually pooped on the way out...I think it was 2 oz. worth just to make me happy:)
There is seriously nothing in the world as wonderful as meeting your child for the first time. I just love that little face!
The kiddos meeting him for the first time. Camden was so anxious for his safe arrival. I think he got that from his mom.
First time being a big brother!
My "bright" toes. Wanted something bright to focus on while pushing! However he came so fast I don't remember even looking at them:)
We had some treats...until the kids came to visit:)
Home at last!
I love how he is clawing at his eyes and holding onto his binky with all of his might.
I am just so grateful for this little guy! Hayden has taught me humility. Before I became pregnant with him, all I wanted was another daughter. A little sister for Myah. I was certain Heavenly Father would give me what I wanted. I had it all figured out. When I found out my little girl I was waiting for was really a little boy...I'll be honest...I was heartbroken. I know that sounds terrible and I feel awful even admitting that. I had a wonderful healthy baby inside of me and I was sad. It was like I had lost a daughter I thought I had. I knew once the baby was born it wouldn't matter, but I was still sad and had to get through some hard emotions. Once Hayden arrived and I looked at that tiny little body and those sweet little eyes, the guilt just came washing over me. I hated that I had ever for one second not wanted another little boy. What a enormous gift I had been given. Not the gift I had asked for, but the gift I was meant to have. I needed this sweet little guy in my life. I just had no idea how much. How grateful I am to a loving Heavenly Father who knows me much better than I know myself. He gave me the gift I didn't even realize I needed or wanted or longed for. For a few months I had felt a little overwhelmed with life. I felt like I couldn't handle the four kids I had let alone a fifth. My Church calling is overwhelming as well and I just wondered when the blessings would ever come. I felt overwhelmed, overworked and under appreciated. I kept praying to Heavenly Father to get some sort of answer or sense of relief. The only thought that ever came to me was "wait for it". It didn't make much sense to me at the time and kind of made me even more frustrated. Well I found out what that meant the second this sweet little boy was placed in my arms. I realized at that moment he was what I was waiting for, the blessing and peace I was longing for. Nine long months of being pregnant, tired and frustrated were instantly made better! Hayden is one special little boy. His personality and mannerisms are just so sweet and pure and happy. His face just always looks happy! I couldn't ask for a better baby. I think he chose to come last because he knew that he would be fine with a few months of his mom being a little sad and that it would all vanish the second I held him in my arms. I have a feeling he will be my most laid back child. There is just something special about him and I believe that he was holding the last little chunk of my heart. I always knew I wanted four children...five was pushing the limits a little for me. I am so glad that we decided to go for it because my life will never be the same. It has only been four weeks since his arrival, but already I can't imagine our lives without this little guy. He is truly a gift sent straight from heaven!
Now life with 5 kids begins! Here we go!!!
***I have actually caught up!!! I'm so proud:) There are so many new posts below that I am certain no one besides me will want to read them all. But if your interested...the one or two of you who even read my blog anymore...Have fun!
