So here is my belated birth story for Caden Beware, it’s mildly TMI.

Since Sunday, 4/25 I had been having contractions, spaced at about 5-6 minutes apart and up to 9 minutes apart. I didn’t think much of it. I had an NST that Monday and went in to see that everything was fine with the baby and contractions weren’t regular enough for the CNM to be concerned. So I went home that night and the contractions were bad enough to keep me awake. Tuetsday morning I decided to go into the doctors office since I didn’t want to be sent home for the 5th time from the hospital. The CNM on call checked me and holy cow I was 5-6 cm dilated. Labor had begun! We rushed to the hospital and when I got there they were already waiting for me. I got undressed and hooked up to the fetal monitor and got my antibiotics IV in (I was GBS+). After about an hour on the machine, they took me off and said I could get in the tub, on the ball or walk around. I picked the tub, and let me tell you it was amazing. I was in there for a good hour or more. I got out and then got back on the monitors. By this time, my friends were there and we decided I’d go walking. Once I got back I got on the birthing ball. Let me just recommend that anyone who goes through labor get on a birthing ball. It was amazing in helping with the contractions.

This went on for about 5-6 hours (it was about 7 or 8 PM). I got checked again and was at 8cm. The CNM delivering me said that she’d want to break my water in about an hour or so. Once that time came around the water broke and found that little Mr. Caden couldn’t wait to have a bowel movement. There was meconium in the amniotic fluid but she wasn’t concern. By this time the contractions were much closer and stronger together. I got in the shower at this time and stayed in there for what seemed like hours. Once I got out, I felt like I needed to start pushing. So this was about 10:30PM. I pushed for 2 hours. It was the most excruciating 2 hours of my life. I got into several different positions, laying down on my back, on my sides, and on my hands and knees. Closer to midnight, the pushing wasn’t really progressing as I’d like (though there was never any talk about doing anything about it). From that point on I lost track of time but I know that between midnight and when Caden came, another doctor from my clinic came on and was advising on what to do. I had heard vaguely the word vacuum but didn’t even think much of it. At this point, I got a local anesthetic and the CNM told me she’d need to make a few cuts (I got 4 stitches). Once the cuts were made, pushing seem to come a little easier. The final minutes, I saw the neonatal team come in and everything getting ready for him and at that point I got the courage and strength to push him out.When I saw my baby boy, it was complete heaven. He was (and is) the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Caden was born at 12:42AM on his due date. 13 hours of labor, no pain meds, no intervention (unless you count the anesthetic) and my baby boy was born healthy and happy at a 8lbs 12 oz. Of everything, having a natural birth is possibly one of my greatest achievements. I don’t think anyone who doesn’t do a full natural birth or any type of natural birth is any less of a mom because its everyone’s choice what they want. It is unfortunate for those who feel they don’t have a choice but really, I set in wanting and believing myself to have a natural birth and I ended up doing so. I don’t know if it was my willpower or what but I really wanted a natural birth and I had people who supported me in that decision, including my husband who didn’t let me give in.

Well that’s Caden’s birth story and I hope that his birth will be the start of something wonderful and exciting (a week in and it already is!).

So I finally visited my doctor again today after two weeks of freaking out about the GD. Luckily, she is really nice and answered all the questions I had. Surprisingly, we like her WAY better than the CNM. It sounds like she might be one of those old-fashioned doctors that doesn’t really go along with natural birthing and what not, but she actually answered questions I had and didn’t make me feel silly for asking them. However, I found out that the clinic I go to rotates doctors so any one of 4 doctors could end up delivering me, so I am going to rotate who I go to unless they advise me otherwise (which they advised me to rotate).

Other than that, the appointment went well. The doc said that there is a chance that I might either need a c-section or induction at 37-38 weeks if my GD gets way out of hand. I am obviously more inclined to hope for the induction. However, so far, there is no indication that it might come to that because my glucose numbers are in a really good range just with diet alone. I am hoping it stays that way and mostly, I am hoping that I can keep up with the diet and excercise. But gosh, 9 more weeks! It seems so far away but not so far away. It’s crazy!

My baby shower is this weekend and I am quite excited. Mostly, because it gives me the green light to start buying whatever I didn’t get at the shower haha. So far we have the play yard, stroller and shelves. I am going to buy the gDiapers because I am sure no one will be buying those. I am waiting on clothes and I’d rather wait until the last minute anyways because I know I’ll just buy a bunch of stuff if I don’t stop myself from doing so. I am also excited because once March gets here, I got ‘permission’ from my husband (and mom) that I can begin to start putting things together for Caden in our room. I’ve been so eager that it’s hard to stop myself sometimes. I also need to develop a plan of action for how I am going to clean the crap out of my house (literally haha). I really want it spotless when Caden arrives and it’s really hard with pets. I am not discouraged though. Worst case scenario is that I’ll have to put the dogs and/or cats (at night and when we are gone) up in one room until we move into a bigger place. The bigger thing that needs to be done is carpet cleaning though! Ugh my carpets look hideous!

I’m going to leave on this note: I really really want a DSLR.

So I am unusually chipper about this Monday. Why you ask? My sister is going back home (love her as I may, she is a handful), my parents are officially moved (two hours away!) and I finally get to be alone with my husband! Yah!

So, we managed to catnap my cat, Artemis. He is the love of my life! We’ve had him since he was barely able to walk straight. He has the most beautiful kitty eyes! I am definitely looking forward to snapping some photos of him. (Oh yea did I mention I lost my camera at Six Flags in June?…). We also have another kitty, Ashton. My sister conned me (it wasn’t so difficult) and he is by far the cutest little thing. I absolutely love cats and my dogs are definitely getting along with him so that’s always nice. School will be starting again and I am unsure how I feel about that. I’m excited but dreading it, yet excited because it’s one step closer to being able to teach.

Well I am at least doing better about blogging. sorta. ha.

TTFN

So, Marcus started his new job on Monday. From what I hear he really loves it. I’m glad too, only we found out he will be working only part time for a while. So we are both planning on getting a second job when we return from our cruise. Hopefully it works out and I hope I don’t burn myself out either. which I have a habit of doing anyways. We’ll see. It’ll be nice to have extra money.

By the way, I just want to clear things up: I am not pregnant. Apparently I never realized that people would come to that conclusion! lol So I just decided to say that NO I’m not pregnant but I sure wish I was …

Don’t worry, you will all know in due time! It probably won’t be a surprise and to tell you the truth it’s probably one of those times where people are like “Really? That was the BIG surprise?..” but it’s exciting for me and definitely something you all will know very soon!

Other than that, it got a bit stressful thinking about money. We have contemplated cancelling our cruise, but honestly, this thing was paid for in full back in January. My grandma said she wouldn’t talk to me if I didn’t go on it!! But I promise to take a lots of pictures =D