Hayden Jane

39 weeks and ready to deliver!

So, this whole pregnancy I thought for sure I would go early. When I was pregnant with Avery and Rylee, my water broke on it's own and my body was ready. Well, today came and I don't know that my body was completely ready to give birth! That week I didn't feel like she wanted to come out anytime soon. I didn't feel any pressure and I hadn't dilated passed a 1...maybe a 1+. With Rylee, the day I was to be induced, I was already in labor, I was dilated to a 5 and my water broke on it's own before the doctor had a chance to come in to break it. I was a little skeptical about being induced. I've heard it's a harder delivery, but I am done being pregnant and ready for this little munchkin to get here. 

Hayden Jane Hawkins

I went in at 9 o'clock AM and was given penicillin at 10 o'clock because I was Group Strep B positive. I needed to have two doses of antibiotics before she could come out. I wasn't positive with my other two and didn't realize how serious it can be if you don't have the antibiotic. The baby can get pneumonia as well as other serious infections. Needless to say, I or the nurses wasn't going to allow me to deliver until at least 2 in the afternoon....So we waited....and waited...and waited.......

Today was the first snowfall of the season. It was 43 degrees outside and later in the afternoon, it was a beautiful sunny day!

There's nothing quite like getting your picture taken when you are 39 weeks pregnant, swollen and now have an IV drip...aren't I beautiful?!! ha ha!!

My cute dad waited all day with me.

 The hospital is undergoing construction. They are redoing their flooring and in order for us to get to my room, we had to go through the OR. Let me just tell you, walking through the OR gave me a little anxiety. Glad I wasn't sent there! :)

Because of the chaos going on, the nurse told me that I could only have my support person in the room with me. My mom and dad were already in the hallway waiting to come in. My mom was pretty upset when they told her she couldn't come in. My cute nurse, Vickie told me she would sneak them in and that we just wouldn't make it a big deal. The nurse had to escort whoever was going in and out through the OR and it was kind of a pain. My parents kind of felt like they were barricaded in once they had made it in! In the end, the workers finished for the day and there weren't anymore scheduled C-sections. They then allowed people to come in.

Around noon, the anesthesiologist came in to give me an epidural. I honestly can not think of anything more terrifying to me. I HATE/DESPISE the epidural and I am seriously the biggest baby. I was sobbing. I am actually embarrassed to even admit how awful I was. He had to try three times before he could get the catheter in my back. Just thinking about it makes me cringe. As he is putting it in, he tells me "you don't have to have it"...I wanted to punch him in the face. YES I DO! I have horrible anxiety and would completely break down and have a panic attack if I couldn't control the pain. I know I needed it, I just didn't want it!! It was bad. I'm sure Jake was so embarrassed at how I was acting, but I honestly couldn't help it. I was like a child freaking out. It was that bad.

At 1:30 they broke my water and at 2 I received my last dose of penicillin. I have never had penicillin before. The first dose was fine, but when she hooked up the second dose, I honestly felt like I wanted to rip my arm off. It was so painful and so excruciating. I have never felt anything like that. I called the nurse back in and as soon as she adjusted it and diluted it a little, it was much better.

At about 4:30, Jake and my dad left the room. I think my dad was getting some files to work on and Jake went out because I'm sure he was bored! I think by this time I was dilated to a 7 and as soon as they left, the pressure started. It was just my mom and I in the room and I told her that I could feel pressure. She started to panic a little bit. No nurse, no doctor, no husband! She asked me if I wanted her to grab the nurse and I told her no. I wanted to wait. I don't know why?!! We waited for maybe 5 minutes and my mom went running! I don't think she wanted to deliver me!! The nurse came in and checked me and said it was time! She called the doctor and my mom frantically called my dad and Jake.  At 5:01 she was born and it was so easy. I pushed maybe 5 times and she was out! There is something miraculous about holding your warm baby that had been living in you and thriving. I was quite emotional. She was perfect. She had all ten fingers and toes and a ton of dark curly hair.

She weighed 7 lbs and 3 ounces and was 18 inches long.

My cute nurse Vickie, and Hayden's cute nurse Lindsey

Vickie, Dr. Monte Merrell 

The proud dad! Letting everyone know she made it!

Rylee trying to take it all in. She was so excited to meet her new little sister. She was so cute! A little overwhelmed though I think.

My cute Avery. I'm fairly certain she understands what is going on and was so cute.

Sam, Haylee, Mark and Jaymie

Haylee, Avery and Ry

Proud big sisters! They both were anxious to hold her! 

 Her first Bath...or sponge bath at the Hospital. It was 10:30 pm before she got cleaned up.

My cute friends who came to visit! Nichole Parkinson and Robyn Epley

My mom and Hayden getting ready to go home!

Beckee and Hayden

I stayed Friday night and the only pain I was in, was in my lower abdomen where they were pushing on my stomach. Other than that, I felt really good. I was feeling a little guilty that my family was at home. Bruce and Jan had Rylee and Avery and I felt like I needed to be home with them. The OB said it was fine if I wanted to leave, but the pediatrician wanted me to stay one more night so they could monitor Hayden. Because I was Strep B positive, symptoms wouldn't show up until later and they didn't want to send her home if she came down with something. So I stayed. I held her and enjoyed her and loved every minute of being with her. I am grateful I did stay. I felt like those were precious moments for my baby and I. I felt like I could just hold her and bond with her.

Sunday came and at 11:30 I was discharged and went home. Life is good. I feel like my family is complete and am excited for the journey ahead. It may not be an easy one, but the ride will be worth it.