It's crazy to think that my last post was two days before my life was flipped (turned upside down) haha couldn't help myself.
My sweet baby boy, Kaden Barr Kahalewaimaikalani Anderson, was born May 14th, 2015 at 11:55pm, weighing 7 lbs and measured 20.5 inches.
So, on the 13th, I had my doctor's appointment and he had told me that I was *almost* 3cm and still 80% effaced, from my last appointment. He stripped my membranes (OUCH!!) and went ahead and scheduled an induction date for the 1st of June and wanted to see me back next week. However, as I was leaving he told me "I would be really surprised if you made it to your appointment next week..." Uhh...things just got real for me right then and there...you mean I could have a baby in the next week?! AH!
After my appointment, I was having contractions...not Braxton Hicks, either. These felt different but they were not consistent at all so I brushed it off. Plus, they went away an hour later. My mother in law came over that afternoon to help me decorate the nursery and then I went to the rink. As I was there, my friends teased saying I could have a baby and they don't think they'll see me tomorrow for work (Learn to Skate). I was so sure they were wrong because it didn't feel like it was happening THIS soon....but you guys were right!
Right before bed, I noticed after I went to the bathroom that there was a lot of fluid that was different than discharge. I shrugged it off and went to bed. Well, of course I had to get up to go to the bathroom a few hours later and noticed that it was thinner and more abundant. So, as I came back to bed I said to Kaleb, "Sooo...don't freak out, but my water may have broken". He was half asleep and mumbled an "uh huh okay" and went back to sleep. Well, when he got up that morning, that changed! He was FREAKING out and kept asking me questions and became more anxious when I didn't have the answer. So, to calm his mind, I called the after hours line at my OB's office and left a message. Kaleb went off to the gym and came back and I still hadn't heard back. So, as he showered and got ready for work, I decided to call the hospital labor and delivery line, just in case. I explained to the nurse that I thought my water had broken and she told me to just come in and have that fluid tested, just to be sure. I told Kaleb and was surprisingly calm about it and even told him he didn't need to come - I was so sure it was nothing. But, he was insistent that he be there and called his boss to tell him he would not be at work that day. I took my time in getting my hospital bag and diaper bag together and didn't bother showering or putting makeup on because I figured I would be back to do all that later that day. OOPS.
So, we made our way to the hospital at 8am and my nurse was doubtful that my water had actually broken, but went ahead and did two different tests.
Side note: I was SO glad Kaleb ended up coming with me because they wanted me in a hospital gown and to stay in one of the delivery rooms.... SO DAUNTING!!
At 9am, she came back with a surprised look on her face - the fluid tested positive and that meant my water had indeed been broken!! I was having a baby today!
They quickly put the IV in and put me on pitocin since I hadn't felt any contractions yet. I knew I wanted an epidural and the nurse told me I could get it now before the contractions hit, but I was TERRIFIED. I wanted to wait as long as I could to just put it off...
Around 12:30pm, I felt one contraction and the nurse happened to be in my room and asked me what I was waiting for...did I still want the epidural? I gave her the green light and 15 minutes later, the anesthesiologist and his assistant came in. His assistant was the one who ended up doing it and I was freaking out...full on shakes all over my body! But I think some of it was from the fact that they upped my IV which made me cold.
Everyone was right...it felt like a little bee sting when they numbed the area and I was really worried for nothing. I didn't like feeling the pressure though...I could feel the catheter going up my spine, but also the assistant wasn't doing a great job and took FOREVER to get it in place, whereas when the tech came and helped him, he did it in one try and in 30 seconds haha.
My legs quickly fell asleep but I could still wiggle my toes - WEIRDEST FEELING EVER. Shortly after though, I began to feel really dizzy and tired and I tried telling my nurse but I was fading fast. I remember hearing an alarm going off and she put an oxygen mask on my face but everything at that point was really fuzzy. Kaleb had just gone to the bathroom in the room and I was worried because I couldn't see his face and that's all I wanted.
Apparently my blood pressure had dropped a lot and quickly from the epidural and they just needed to lower the amount of meds I was getting and everything leveled out. I remember feeling terrified because I felt like I was drifting away but was fighting to stay cognizant. But, as soon as everything leveled out, I felt just fine...
And then the waiting game began.
And the several refills of flavored ice chips. YUM.
My parents luckily got onto the next flight out to Salt Lake and my father in law picked them up around 6:30pm. At this point I was dilated to a 7 and was completely effaced and ready to go. At this point, I started barfing which I guess is normal when women hit 8-9 centimeters? Whatever that's what my sweet nurse said so I believe her. ;)
My parents got in around 7:30pm and I was still at a 7. My dad and FIL went to go get dinner and while they were gone, I was now measuring at a 9!
At 9:15, my doctor checked me, told me I was at a 9.5, and said he would be back in 30 minutes to start the pushing. I don't think that registered with me because I was still in disbelief that this was all happening...I was going to meet my son soon.
Well, 9:45 rolls around and 5 minutes later, I start pushing. After about an hour of pushing, they asked if I wanted a mirror. I was never interested in seeing the birth actually occurring but I figured it would give me motivation because everyone kept saying I was doing so well but didn't feel like I was progressing. It's incredible what a difference it made! I suddenly had this burst of energy and was able to push harder because I was getting so excited!
At 11:30, my doctor came in and said I was close but his poor little head was stuck under my pelvic bone and had to make his way under it and then things will start to happen fast.
He was right! I wanted to have this baby on the 14th, so another burst of energy came about and just 20 minutes later, my baby was here.
Kaden was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and never have I ever felt such an intense amount of love for someone I had just laid eyes on.
He was so alert and his cry was so little, I was worried something was wrong. He had his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck - which was surprising to the doctor because his vitals never faltered. What a champ.
They laid him on my chest immediately and he and I just locked eyes as I was bawling my eyes out. He was here. And he was mine.
We stayed at the hospital for 2 more days, coming home Saturday afternoon. I'm so grateful for ALL the nurses I had...they were an incredible team.
Almost 2 months later and I cannot believe how incredibly blessed I am to have such an amazing baby.
There are no words to describe the love I feel for my baby boy.
Welcome to the world, Kaden!
After being hooked up the epidural...there's the magical button to up the dosage, if needed.
The Proposal...SO many good movies were playing!
So, on the 13th, I had my doctor's appointment and he had told me that I was *almost* 3cm and still 80% effaced, from my last appointment. He stripped my membranes (OUCH!!) and went ahead and scheduled an induction date for the 1st of June and wanted to see me back next week. However, as I was leaving he told me "I would be really surprised if you made it to your appointment next week..." Uhh...things just got real for me right then and there...you mean I could have a baby in the next week?! AH!
After my appointment, I was having contractions...not Braxton Hicks, either. These felt different but they were not consistent at all so I brushed it off. Plus, they went away an hour later. My mother in law came over that afternoon to help me decorate the nursery and then I went to the rink. As I was there, my friends teased saying I could have a baby and they don't think they'll see me tomorrow for work (Learn to Skate). I was so sure they were wrong because it didn't feel like it was happening THIS soon....but you guys were right!
Right before bed, I noticed after I went to the bathroom that there was a lot of fluid that was different than discharge. I shrugged it off and went to bed. Well, of course I had to get up to go to the bathroom a few hours later and noticed that it was thinner and more abundant. So, as I came back to bed I said to Kaleb, "Sooo...don't freak out, but my water may have broken". He was half asleep and mumbled an "uh huh okay" and went back to sleep. Well, when he got up that morning, that changed! He was FREAKING out and kept asking me questions and became more anxious when I didn't have the answer. So, to calm his mind, I called the after hours line at my OB's office and left a message. Kaleb went off to the gym and came back and I still hadn't heard back. So, as he showered and got ready for work, I decided to call the hospital labor and delivery line, just in case. I explained to the nurse that I thought my water had broken and she told me to just come in and have that fluid tested, just to be sure. I told Kaleb and was surprisingly calm about it and even told him he didn't need to come - I was so sure it was nothing. But, he was insistent that he be there and called his boss to tell him he would not be at work that day. I took my time in getting my hospital bag and diaper bag together and didn't bother showering or putting makeup on because I figured I would be back to do all that later that day. OOPS.
So, we made our way to the hospital at 8am and my nurse was doubtful that my water had actually broken, but went ahead and did two different tests.
Side note: I was SO glad Kaleb ended up coming with me because they wanted me in a hospital gown and to stay in one of the delivery rooms.... SO DAUNTING!!
At 9am, she came back with a surprised look on her face - the fluid tested positive and that meant my water had indeed been broken!! I was having a baby today!
They quickly put the IV in and put me on pitocin since I hadn't felt any contractions yet. I knew I wanted an epidural and the nurse told me I could get it now before the contractions hit, but I was TERRIFIED. I wanted to wait as long as I could to just put it off...
Around 12:30pm, I felt one contraction and the nurse happened to be in my room and asked me what I was waiting for...did I still want the epidural? I gave her the green light and 15 minutes later, the anesthesiologist and his assistant came in. His assistant was the one who ended up doing it and I was freaking out...full on shakes all over my body! But I think some of it was from the fact that they upped my IV which made me cold.
Everyone was right...it felt like a little bee sting when they numbed the area and I was really worried for nothing. I didn't like feeling the pressure though...I could feel the catheter going up my spine, but also the assistant wasn't doing a great job and took FOREVER to get it in place, whereas when the tech came and helped him, he did it in one try and in 30 seconds haha.
My legs quickly fell asleep but I could still wiggle my toes - WEIRDEST FEELING EVER. Shortly after though, I began to feel really dizzy and tired and I tried telling my nurse but I was fading fast. I remember hearing an alarm going off and she put an oxygen mask on my face but everything at that point was really fuzzy. Kaleb had just gone to the bathroom in the room and I was worried because I couldn't see his face and that's all I wanted.
Apparently my blood pressure had dropped a lot and quickly from the epidural and they just needed to lower the amount of meds I was getting and everything leveled out. I remember feeling terrified because I felt like I was drifting away but was fighting to stay cognizant. But, as soon as everything leveled out, I felt just fine...
And then the waiting game began.
And the several refills of flavored ice chips. YUM.
My parents luckily got onto the next flight out to Salt Lake and my father in law picked them up around 6:30pm. At this point I was dilated to a 7 and was completely effaced and ready to go. At this point, I started barfing which I guess is normal when women hit 8-9 centimeters? Whatever that's what my sweet nurse said so I believe her. ;)
My parents got in around 7:30pm and I was still at a 7. My dad and FIL went to go get dinner and while they were gone, I was now measuring at a 9!
At 9:15, my doctor checked me, told me I was at a 9.5, and said he would be back in 30 minutes to start the pushing. I don't think that registered with me because I was still in disbelief that this was all happening...I was going to meet my son soon.
Well, 9:45 rolls around and 5 minutes later, I start pushing. After about an hour of pushing, they asked if I wanted a mirror. I was never interested in seeing the birth actually occurring but I figured it would give me motivation because everyone kept saying I was doing so well but didn't feel like I was progressing. It's incredible what a difference it made! I suddenly had this burst of energy and was able to push harder because I was getting so excited!
At 11:30, my doctor came in and said I was close but his poor little head was stuck under my pelvic bone and had to make his way under it and then things will start to happen fast.
He was right! I wanted to have this baby on the 14th, so another burst of energy came about and just 20 minutes later, my baby was here.
Kaden was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and never have I ever felt such an intense amount of love for someone I had just laid eyes on.
He was so alert and his cry was so little, I was worried something was wrong. He had his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck - which was surprising to the doctor because his vitals never faltered. What a champ.
They laid him on my chest immediately and he and I just locked eyes as I was bawling my eyes out. He was here. And he was mine.
We stayed at the hospital for 2 more days, coming home Saturday afternoon. I'm so grateful for ALL the nurses I had...they were an incredible team.
Almost 2 months later and I cannot believe how incredibly blessed I am to have such an amazing baby.
There are no words to describe the love I feel for my baby boy.
Welcome to the world, Kaden!
After being hooked up the epidural...there's the magical button to up the dosage, if needed.
The Proposal...SO many good movies were playing!
