what Kacie had to say about chatting with David during labor:
“My favorite comment from David about labor: “She’s in transition, waiting for the contractions to start.” And then, not even 2 minutes afterward, “Wait, no, she’s negotiating and getting ready to push.” Huh?!? Nice try David. 
I did appreciate the “updates” though!”
Kaedmon was born January 8, Elvis’ birthday, at 2:35 p.m., weighing 7 lbs. 15 oz. He was 19 3/4 inches long. He was born at the end of my 38th week of pregnancy.
On Wednesday evening I began having some contractions at church. They weren’t anything remarkable but they were there and fairly noticeable. After Bible study, I went to pick up the boys from AWANA. Before we left the church, I had a “moment” with Sammy and he bolted down a hallway- out of my sight. For fear of losing him, I chased him (quickly) down the hallway. The rest of the night I suffered for it. I tossed and turned all night. I had a few contractions in the night but mostly I was miserable in my lower abdomen and thought I might have pulled a muscle.
On Thursday morning I woke up nearly unable to walk. I waddled around the first part of the morning when David and I ultimately made the decision that I should call my midwife. I called and told them what was going on and they told me to immediately come in. “Yes, it could be a muscle”, the receptionist told me, “but it could also be the baby.” I was also group B strep positive and, being 30 minutes from the hospital, it was something to be mindful of.
I got in at 9:30 and she was in to check me around 10. I told her what had happened and she said that she was pretty sure I had pulled a muscle, but we would make sure. When she checked me, however, I was 75% effaced, almost 5 cm, and the baby’s head was in a zero position. Her response: “You just won yourself a trip to the birthing center. I’m pretty sure you’re in labor. We’ll break your water and you’ll have a baby around dinner.” She was so calm and matter-of-fact about it- and I wasn’t. I walked out, went to my car, and cried. I did not feel mentally ready. I waited about 15 minutes, called Kacie and my doula (and David- duh!), and headed into the birthing center.
Nancy arrived first, then David, then my midwife. At noon, she broke my water. I was petrified. I was already having contractions, but after breaking my water, they changed. They were bearable, but much more intense. Once they came on, they began close and stayed close. They didn’t last long, however. I spent the entire labor either over a birthing ball or on a birthing ball (my favorite). I was surprised by how I breathed through contractions. I hadn’t been taught how but my body naturally did it. Nancy was wonderful. She said and did all the right things. Hers was the only voice that didn’t annoy me to some degree.
About an hour passed, quickly, and my I knew something had changed because my hands became numb and started trembling. I still maintained control over my body, however, and that made all the difference in the world. It would have been so easy to lose control during that time. At one point I told my midwife that I thought I needed to push. She got me in the bed, checked me, and said I was 9 and a half cm dilated. She asked me to push, however, to see if the head would descend. I don’t think it did. She then asked me if it felt better to push. I said “no”- and she said “then don’t.” For some reason, this really discouraged me. I didn’t know how much more I could handle and I was wanting to lose it. I maintained again, however, but by a thread. About 5 minutes later, I swore I had to push. I basically leapt into the bed, without being told to, and found what worked for me. They worked well with what I wanted and that was great.
The next 5 to 10 minutes or so are a blur. I was told that pushing would make me feel better- and it so did not! I cannot even go into vast detail about what it was like to deliver a baby in this way- even if I tried. It has to be experienced. I never thought it would be over and yet David told me that the actual pushing the baby out took about 2 to 3 minutes. Up until this point, I was quiet. I quickly became a screamer. I later apologized, but my midwife told me that the only sounds I made were the sounds that it takes to push a baby out. After my brief trip to a darker place (LOL) I returned to be told to reach down and grab my son. Kaedmon was here! I just remember thinking “he looks different…” and then wanting to hand him back to the nurses. I was hurting- and I needed a moment to regather myself. About 3 minutes later, I laid back on the bed and held my son- for probably about an hour or two! I was very impressed with how they handled post partum care- of me and baby. I thought it was interesting that they didn’t weigh him until he was about 2 hours old.
Last night was rough. The baby was fine. I was very uncomfortable, however, and nothing seemed to help my discomfort. Kaedmon had his “procedure” (poor boy) this morning and, after he had been monitored, we were free to go home. He has a bili check and his PKU tomorrow and I had to receive an MMR and TDaP vaccine today as my rubella immunity was low and the CDC is now wanting post partum moms to get protected from pertussis, as it is on the rise again.
We are doing okay. Just your normal newborn stuff. I am already really missing sleep and feeling sorry for myself to some degree. I am trying to remind myself, however, that this time is short-lived and I always forget it. I wish I could say that Kaedmon is eating well, but he’s not. I wish I could say he’s sleeping well, but he’s not. But these things have their way of working themselves out. It just takes time. And I have to remind myself of that.
I am so happy that his delivery went as well as I had hoped- and then some. I wish I could fully explain the night and day difference between what I had experienced in my previous deliveries versus this one. It was so worth it and, might I add, I think my husband is a bigger fan of natural childbirth now than I am. He just kept saying “you were so…calm…not like what you see on TV.” It is funny to hear him talk about it. Ask Kacie. He’s quite the expert. Or at least he tries.
Kaedmon’s brothers love him- and that is an understatement.
Thank you for all your prayers. They were truly felt and I am so grateful! I am so glad our fourth son is here with us. We are such a blessed family!
A few photos, birth story to come soon:
My focal point:
In between contractions:
I will get through this=):
The next 1/2 hour or so does not include photos as you don’t want to see them…trust me!
Kaedmon, about 5 minutes old:
Hanging out with Mama:
With Mommy and Daddy:
Noah meeting his brother:
Brothers:
The little man:
Never in a million years did I think I would make this announcement today, but it is our pleasure to introduce our newest son, Kaedmon Gatliff King, to each of you. He entered the world as feisty as his big brother Sammy at 2:35 p.m., weighing 7 lbs. 15 oz and with a length of 19 3/4 inches. He is by far our shortest baby!!! He is getting his first bath as we speak and his brothers are on their way to visit. They spent the afternoon making cupcakes for their little brother to celebrate his birthday. I can’t wait to introduce them.
More to come…
It’s going to take some effort to come up with some content for this entry as the bulk of our discussion today was:
Some quick thoughts:
Anyway, I am coming into this week with a better attitude- as long as I am not in pain=) Right now:
Tomorrow I will:
That’s all for now!
Back to the midwife today. Nothing really new.
I chopped off my face. I look odd…and swollen. And my biceps seriously need a gym.
Nothing much new today. A few thoughts:
