CLH

On December 12 I went in for my last Dr.’s appointment for my 1st pregnancy. I had been a centimeter dilated for a week & 70% effaced and I was super uncomfortable. At this appointment I had progressed to 2cm & 80% effacement. (I always LOVED to hear if I progressed…I did NOT like when I remained the same!) At this appointment my belly was measuring 41 weeks and the baby’s heartbeat was strong & healthy, as was I, so both our doctor & us decided we wanted to be induced! I was not scared at all, I was just ready! For weeks now, I had felt Cayden trying to get out. The best way I can describe it is if you place his head on my pelvic bone and kind of do a twisting motion…that’s what it felt like and it hurt so bad. Both of us were ready to get this show on the road! We had two dates to choose from for induction, and we ended up choosing December 15…the same birthday as his cousin Simon!

The morning of December 15th, we woke up at about 5am. We got the dogs all set for their sitters, took showers, made sure our hospital bags were ready, made a stop at Taco Cabana for some breakfast tacos, and headed to the hospital. 

We arrived to the hospital about 6:30am but they were running behind on induction check-ins. After getting checked in we got settled in our room at about 7:45 am, and after all my IV’s and questions the nurse had to ask me, we got the pitocin started at about 9am! At 9:15am, my doctor came and broke my water and the party got started. Right away I started feeling contractions and they were 2 minutes apart. They hurt SOOO bad. For some reason, I wanted to wait until they were a minute and a half apart to start my epidural (note to self: ask for the epidural right away on my next child). The first two hours of labor were absolutely miserable. I think it is amazing when women do natural births but I am not one of those women. It hurt so bad and at one point I may or may not have thrown a little tantrum, kicking my legs and telling Tyler over and over again, “I can’t do it. I can’t do it.” Tyler was an amazing coach and helped me get through each contraction. Finally, I decided to ask for the epidural. At 11am the anesthesiologist came in and gave me the epidural. The epidural did not hurt at all, but I wouldn’t be able to notice since I had three huge contractions while I had to remain still. Worst. Part. Ever. Right when he put the epidural in, my pain immediately went away. They turned off the pitocin because I was actually contracting on my own 2 minutes apart. From 11:30-6:30pm I did not feel a thing! My parents, Tyler’s Parents, & Linda were all at the hospital and would trade out with Tyler every once in awhile. I was sleeping & watching netflix most of the day (thank you, husband, for bringing the playstation to the hospital)! They kept checking me throughout the day and I was progressing nicely. First I progressed from 2 cm to 4 cm in the first hour, then 4cm to 6cm, then I was at 7cm. Finally, at 6:30 they checked me and I was at 10cm!!! I was ready to push.

 I started pushing with Tyler & the nurse and his head started to show…I got really excited. Then, an hour passed…I was still pushing…then two hours passed…I was still pushing. The doctor came in and she said his head was right there and I was pushing so hard! They were wondering why he wasn’t moving and then realized his cord was wrapped around his neck. Tyler and I immediately gave each other a super concerned look and the doctor assured us it happens a lot but that she would like to help me a little with the suction. I agreed and told her to do whatever she needed to do to get him out safely! Finally, at 9:13 (2 1/12 hours after I started pushing), Cayden Lukas was born! His cord was wrapped around his neck which they immediately unwrapped, and he actually came out with the side of his head instead of the top of his head…which is why I had to push for so long! They said had his head come out normally, I would have pushed him out a lot sooner…but it’s okay, the minute they laid him on my chest the 2 1/2 hours of pushing and the 11 hours of laboring that day was completely worth it!! He was the most beautiful baby in the world (I am not biased at all)! Tyler and I finally had our son here with us. Our family was finally together.

My whole pregnancy my doctor kept telling me, “You’re not carrying a whopper. Your baby will probably be 7 or 8 lbs.” Well, they weighed him and when they said 8 lbs 12 oz I almost fell out of my bed! I was two days early and my baby was still huge! And thanks to his 6’5 dad, he was 22 inches long…a pretty long baby! His filled out face and length probably all contributed to his poundage! Thank you Subway, Chuy’s, & Taco Cabana, for supplying my baby with nutrients while I was pregnant.

I am so thankful for the doctor who delivered Cayden (she wasn’t my doctor). She was so calm & friendly & you could tell she absolutely loves what she does. My labor wasn’t too bad…the pushing was rough but there is no feeling in the world like holding your child for the first time. Whether it be after a two year adoption process, or a 13 hour labor…you forget about all you’ve been through the second you hold your new child. I am so thankful to be a mom, and my journey has just begun!

Cayden Lukas Hobbs, December 15, 2011, 9:13 pm, 8lbs 12 oz, 22 inches long

We are so thankful for our newest blessing!! Thank you for encouraging & supporting us this whole time!!!