I have been wanting and needing to do this forever and have just put it off.
So August 5th I chose to be induced, a day after my due date. Simply because I wanted my body to have a little time to heal before school, and to let Kenton get adjusted a little. After all he was only 13 days when I started back.
Of course not getting any sleep the night before, knowing life would never be the same. We arrived at the hospital at 5 a.m., got checked in and got all of the pre-registration done. They hooked me up to the monitor and I was already having contractions, but not feeling a thing. We waited for what seemed like forever for Dr. Causey to check me and get the show on the road. Finally at 7:45 he came and I was still at 2cm but 25% effaced with a soft cervix, and he inserted the cytotec. Then the waiting game began. Brian slept while I just anxiously watched TV. Mom came around 9 or 10 not able to stand staying at home any longer. Since I was open to getting an epidural I was placed on a clear liquid diet. No fun! So all day I got to have water, jello, and Popsicles. At noon Dr. Causey came back and stretched me to 4-5 cm but told me I had a chance of going back to 3cm. I was now 50% effaced and he broke my water (such a weird feeling). After that it got real, real fast. The contractions were no longer unnoticeable as I was feeling every one of them. It didn't take long for them to become very strong and I was sitting on the birthing ball hoping for a little relief. Mom was rubbing my back and keeping me hydrated. Then Brian took over and encouraged me. I decided I wanted an epidural and they told me it would take an hour or so to receive it. Holy cow I was not excited about that as my contractions were so strong. Around 2 or so I received the sweet relief. Although I was still feeling my contractions on part of my left side. So they turned me and eventually I wasn't feeling anything. That is some good stuff! At 3:15 I was checked again, being 8cm and 100% effaced with the baby being dropped more. Things were moving right along. And before I knew it at 4:30 I was 10 cm and ready to push. Gina arrived right before this. Having done clinicals in the OB department I already had an idea of how to push. Even though I had an epidural I could still feel the pressure of my contractions, and knew when to push. I pushed for a while with just my nurse, who was so amazing. And then Dr. Causey came. I pushed for a total of a little over 2 hours. I was so exhausted toward the end. Finally the Dr. told me I had 3 options I could push for another hour, use the vacuum, or cesarean. I chose the vacuum, knowing I couldn't push much longer. He explained I only had a couple of contractions to get the baby out or it would result in a cesarean. Knowing I was fixing to start back to school I was determined to get that baby out and avoid a cesarean at all costs. Of course fear washed over my face, as I didn't want anything to happen to my baby boy. Brian was very encouraging and reassuring. I had him pushed out in two contractions. I'm not usually the emotional type, but tears came rolling down my face when they put him on my chest. I was so relieved. He was so perfect and I have never loved anything so much. 8 pounds 12 oz and 19.5 inches long. We were officially a family and couldn't be happier.
Of course after a short time everyone left. Brian and I were like wait, now what. But we figured it out. I didn't hardly get any sleep. I was too worried I wouldn't wake up if something happened. Also being in pain. But oh my was everything worth it. I'm so in love with our little man, Kenton Blake.
Last pregnancy picture
