Sadie's Birth - Daddy's Perspective (Part 3)

5:00 am. Nothing like waking up that early on a day off!  But this isn't your ordinary off day. 

Kayla's mom and sister, Carly, were there bright eyed and bushy tailed. They were ready to have this baby just as much as we were!  Susan was there for emotional support and Carly was there for her experience...in photography 😉. 

The midwife came in about 7:00 am to check and see how the balloon went. Well, it did what it was suppose to. Now dilated to a 4. Finally away from that 2!  They started the pitocin to speed up contractions so we could have this baby!  Contractions did occur, but not as quick as we had hoped. 

Nor did the dilation process!

Throughout the day, it was pretty much a waiting game. Little bit was being stubborn (Not sure where she gets that from!) and just didn't want to come out. Every couple hours, Doc would come check: "Still at a four."  If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, I could pay for Sadie's college already!  Is there ANYTHING we can do to hurry this up?!

Bounce on the ball a little, sit in the tub, back into the bed, bounce on the ball....a vicious cycle of activities that didn't seem to be helping. The worse part, the doctor wouldn't let Kayla really walk around the room because her blood pressure was too high. Well there goes that portion of the book we read!

They increased the pitocin every 30 minutes or so. She was maxed out by 11:00. The contractions were getting better and my wife was taking them like a champ!  Quick plug: my wife is awesome!  She did not complain hardly at all. She didn't snap at me but once, yes, only once!  So I guess I did my job well. 

The nurses wanted Kayla to stay in bed for the contractions, to steady Sadie's heart rate, and to keep her blood pressure down. Unfortunately, the contractions were just too sharp when just laying in bed. Kayla had asked about getting an epidural because the contractions were finally getting the best of her. It was more so because her body was "fighting" the contractions. This is when I managed to help her up.  Where did we go?  You guessed it, the tub!  Pain went away.  Call off the epidural!

During this whole escapade, I want to just say how FREEZING it was in that room!  I feel like I was locked in a meat cooler and all I had was a pair of gym shorts and a tshirt. The nurses were great!  They brought us blankets that were in a warmer so that we could wrap up in them!  Prayers were answered!

Tub soaking over, back to the bed.  NOPE!  That didn't last long because the contractions were just too painful when she was laying down. The nurse wouldn't allow Kayla to get back into the tub but would allow her to sit under the shower.  That didn't pan out so well since the monitor that was keeping Sadie's heart rate was being sprayed on and the heart rate wasn't being picked up. 

Back to the bed. Now with pitocin in full effect, contractions really booming, it was too much for Kayla. She was a trooper and I know how bad she wanted to labor without an epidural. She looked me right in the eyes after saying she wanted one and said, "I'm sorry."  We had discussed beforehand how we didn't want an epidural. She had absolutely NOTHING to be sorry about. This magnificent woman has been carrying my child for 9 months. She has been in good labor for well over 11 hours, and she is sorry?  No ma'am!  Don't be sorry. Don't apologize. I support you and your wishes. You are going through this pain and only you know what you can and cannot take. 

The anesthesiologist came in and finally got her epidural in.  I say finally because it only took three attempts.  I was starting to get nervous. Don't you paralyze my wife!  Once in, Kayla was OUT!  I think of it like when you get laughing gas and the doctor tells you to count down from 10. You get to 8 and you don't remember a thing until you wake up. I don't think she got to 9!  She was exhausted. 

About an hour went by. During her sleep they put the "peanut" between her legs to move the dilation along. NOPE!  Still a 4. Now everyone is starting to wonder, c-section?  Another nurse came in,had Kayla roll over to her right side and hiked up her left leg into the stirrups. Not even 20 minute go by and she says she is feeling pressure. 

"Where are you feeling it?"

"In my bottom."

"Oh!  Let me get the doctor!"

Midwife comes in to check. At an 8!!!!  Yes!!  Doc says she will be back in an hour to check. Um, no you won't!  Not even 10 minutes after the doctor leaves, Kayla has texted her friend Courtney, who was due to clock in any minute, "Come here!"  Courtney come plowing through the doors like a scene from Nurse Jackie in the ER!  She checks Kayla.  "10!  Don't push!"

Bring on the excitement!  If you have never had a baby, or been in a room when a baby is about to be born, it is awesome!  Seeing 3-7 people running around in perfect synchrony knowing exactly what each other is doing. Setting up equipment here. Moving stuff over there.  Gloves flying everywhere!  Who cares. SADIE IS ABOUT TO BE BORN!!!

Everyone is in place.  Lights, camera, action!

All I remember is saying to myself "Don't lock your knees so you don't pass out.  Don't lock your knees so you don't pass out."  I wasn't at your normal husband position, holding my wife's hand and telling her how awesome she is doing. Nope, not this guy. I was all quarterback under the center!  I was ready to bring this baby into the world. We are so grateful that we had a midwife that lets the father be an active participant. 

PUSH!  PUSH!  PUSH!  Rest.  

Repeat 4 more times. Each time Sadie's head getting closer and closer!  The nurse had to tell me, "Now would be a good time to put your gloves on."  Oh yeah, those things!  

PUSH!  The midwife guided Sadie's head and shoulders out then it was up to me to bring our baby girl into the world!  I grabbed her by the neck and legs. There she was. Our Baby Sugar!

I placed her on Kayla's chest and we looked at Sadie together in amazement. We create this!  

I then was able to cut the umbilical cord. Loved experiencing that as well. A few minutes went by and the doctor showed us the cord. It had a "true knot" in it. This could have killed our sweet little girl, but like what we saw in the rainbow, He's got this!  And He did. All the prayers Camden said at every dinner. All the worries washed away. Here is our bundle of joy and we are so blessed!

Thank you everyone who said prayers, sent us their best wishes, have visited so far, have cooked for us, and everything else!  We look forward to raising our baby girl in this village, and what a great village it is!

Sadie's Birth - Daddy's Perspective (Part 2)

Monday afternoon rolled around.  The announcement over the intercom couldn't have been more beautiful: "Car riders and Load A bus riders are dismissed."  I'm a car rider right?  I mean, I drive a car and therefore I ride in it. The excitement consumed me, so I left at 3:05 (Sorry Mrs. Gerrells!).

So many thoughts running through my head on my drive home. No Spark needed to keep me awake and alert!  When I got home, I didn't know which way was up. Bags were already packed, but they needed to be repacked. What do I take?  What do I wear? WHERES THE BAG?!  

During my running around like a chicken with its head cut off, my best friend from high school called me. It was a great surprise. I don't even know what we talked about!  Either way it is always great to hear from someone that played a pivotal part in your life!  Thanks for the call Lynn.

Kayla called to confirm that we needed to be there at 4:30. "We are full right now but should be good by 6:30."  WHAT?!  I have to wait TWO MORE HOURS!  I want my baby girl now!!!  So we went to the in-laws to eat dinner and so Kayla could see her family before the baby extravaganza began. 

Just like Kayla mentioned in her part, we stopped to get gas on the way to the hospital so we wouldn't have to on the way home with a newborn in the car. As we turned into the Racetrac on 365, the biggest, boldest rainbow appeared. It was God's way of letting us know, He's got this!

Finally arrived at the hospital. IS.  THIS.  HAPPENING?!  Checked in with security, then they called us back. The longest walk ever from the waiting room to our delivery room. Are we there yet?!  Suite #13. The biggest and best there (Thanks Courtney!)

We get all nestled into the room to unwind. We are both still on cloud nine and can't believe this is about to go down!  Dr. Barger comes in and checks on Kayla. Dilated to a 2. That's all?  Feels like she has been a 2 for 9 months!  He gave us a couple of options to help move the dilation process along. We, and by we I mean Kayla, decided on the "balloon."

Side note:  I support my wife whole heartedly!  I want her to be comfortable in whatever situation is at hand. Whether that is her clothes, her education, her job, or having a baby. If she feels strongly enough about something to do it, she has my full support!

Now the true wait begins. IV is in.  Balloon is in. Now what?  Guess we should eat since tomorrow is going to be anyone's guess. I went down to the cafeteria to get us something to eat, Kayla a grilled cheese and me a Philly Steak with no onions or peppers, because onions and peppers are EW!  Let me just say this, if Northeast Georgia Medical's cafeteria was on Yelp for dining, I would give them a good review!

After dinner, Kayla bounced on the big ball and soaked in the tub.  This girl LOVES her tub time!  She would probably live in the tub if there was constant warm water and someone to serve her food. Wait, I guess that is why she keeps me around. :) 

I couldn't help but think all night, this is happening. All the preparation. All the books read.  All the coaching. It was all about to hit the fan and the true question would be...would we even use any of it?!  

I am still amazed to this day how well Kayla handled her pregnancy.  She did her stretches. She walked all over. She ate great! She is an amazing woman and I couldn't be more proud of her!  She kept a positive outlook, for the most part, and didn't listen to the naysayers and horror stories. This was HER pregnancy and it was going to be a good one!

Dinner has been eaten, exercises done, belly is full, time to get some sleep.  See y'all tomorrow!

Sadie's birth - Daddy's perspective (Part 1)

Twelve days. Doce dias for my Spanish readers. 12!  That is the magic number for today.

It was one of those days. You know, the type that you never forget where you were. Like the day JFK was shot (no, I wasn't around) or 9/11.  That was the type of day it was for me. 

The day started by driving to school by myself. I was a train wreck!  An emotional train that had just derailed and smashed into the side of a cliff!  Not only was I driving to work by myself, I knew that I would not see my wife until 4:00 instead of 11:20 at lunch like the previous week. Not only that, how was I going to teach?  I am a much more effective teacher when my wife is just a stones throw away. 

Add all those emotions along with the fact that it was Camden's first day of school....EVER...really hit me hard. I probably cried 16.5 of the 17 miles to work that morning. But as they say, life goes on.

I was in my 4th period class. It was the Monday of the second week of school. I had been reading my students a chapter a day from the book Chop Wood, Carry Water (highly recommend!). 

Normally I do not check or have my phone out during class, but today was different. 

11:11. When you have the same digits all across the board, you make a wish right?  Well, that is what time I received the "OMG" text from my wife.  Had my wish come true?!  Her doctor appointment was at 10:45. I was in middle of reading the chapter to my students when I stopped, pulled out my phone, checked the text, and read it out loud to my kiddos. They all looked, 54 eyeballs all on me. I don't know if I have EVER had all my children's attention at the same time with them all looking. The anxiety began to rise!

The next text, "We are having a baby tomorrow or Wednesday."  DO WHAT?!  Now you REALLY have my attention, and my kiddos!  They all started smiling as my face was probably full of shock.

"BP was high and my labs were not good."

"Call me ASAP."

Unanimously, they all shouted, "CALL HER!"  I didn't know what to do.  I couldn't do that right in front of all them, could I?  Luckily it was time for lunch. I called her after dropping them off and going to the office.  Kayla let me know that we were going to the hospital at 4:30 to be induced!  

Amazing how God can turn such a horrible day into a GREAT one.  Oh happy day!

To be continued.......

Sadie's Birth Story- Part 3: Delivery and After

After being dilated to only a four for eighteen hours, then dilating from a four to a ten in less than twenty minutes, I could hardly believe it was time to finally have my baby. Finally!! My emotions immediately hit me like a Mack truck, and I began to cry uncontrollably. They prepped the room for delivery, called the nursery, called Kelly and it was time. Everything happened SO fast!

Completely overwhelmed

I began to push and it was so relieving. No pain whatsoever, but I finally felt like I was doing something. I was still crying with every push. Jack got his gloves on, and I saw him swaying side to side. I learned later he was SO nervous and was trying not to lock his knees and pass out. I pushed for about 20 minutes, if that. As soon as her head appeared, everyone began saying how much hair she had. I looked down to see Jack and Kelly pulling out my baby girl. I immediately reached for her and Jack placed her right on my chest. Seriously, my favorite moment as a couple. Ever.

My heart exploded within my body. There are no words to describe the feeling of seeing your child for the first time. All my mama's out there know what I'm talking about. All the pain, all the work for nine months was so worth it yet also completely irrelevant at this point. My baby, Sadie Ann, was staring right into my eyes with the sweetest sounding holler cry you've ever heard.

I knew right away she wasn't near as big as they'd thought, and as I held her up I said "oh my gosh you look like ME!" And she did! They let her have some skin to skin contact with me for a while, as Jack cut her cord and we marveled over our little beauty. I only had two small stitches which was pretty good considering she came out so fast.


As the placenta came out, Kelly held up Sadie's cord and we immediately noticed something was way off. There was a huge knot in it- a true knot. Our baby is a miracle. Whatever you do, do NOT research true knots if you're pregnant. Just trust that God is going to take care of you and your baby as he did mine!

They weighed and measured her and took her APGAR-

7lbs, 11oz
21 inches long
APGAR- 10

Our baby was perfect. Perfect.

After delivery, I wanted to walk to the Mother/Baby floor. I felt like a million bucks and ready to tackle this mom thing!...only to be told it's policy that I have to be wheeled up. Oh well. Our first night was good- Sadie really didn't cry a lot, but had a few moments. And she pooped three times! We were super shocked. I was somewhat concerned at first, but the nurse told us that my colostrum must be working well, as it is supposed to act as a laxative to get out all that lovely tarry poop. Worked like a charm for her! She got her first bath the next morning, as we wanted to have it delayed so that her skin could absorb the maximum amount of "white stuff." She loved having her hair washed. Wish I could say the same for the rest of the bath! She was NOT pleased with that at all. She passed her hearing screen that day as well. Way to go baby girl!

                                                                     Sadie's first bath

First outfit and bow after her bath

The next night was a little rough. She cried a good bit, pooped a LOT more (seven times to be exact) and was wide awake nearly all night. We took turns sleeping and changing and rocking and singing... We were pretty exhausted. We had lots of visitors that day too, so she probably was just restless from being passed around. We were discharged on Thursday at noon. She was not a fan of her car seat. Her first doctor's appointment was Friday morning and she did great!

Going home on Thursday

Headed to her first doctor's appointment Friday morning

Since delivery, I have felt great! In fact, we both are doing well. I am recovering nicely, and little Sadie is breastfeeding like a champ! If I could, I would be pregnant all the time! (Calm down, Jack.) I loved the way I felt. I could go through that delivery 100 times over again. Our bodies are SO amazing and I'm still just in awe of this whole process. On top of that, they gave me this tiny, awesome human to bring home and I couldn't be any more blessed than I am right now. Thanks for reading Sadie's birth story!

New mamas- not all labor and delivery stories are bad. Mine wasn't perfect, and there aren't many that are. However, mine was enjoyable and it is what you make it. A lot of it is attitude! I tried to maintain a positive attitude throughout, and that really helped me to keep going. Labor and delivery is not the nightmare that a lot of people make it out to be. It is a beautiful process- one that only happens once or twice (or three or four times should you have that many children) so my suggestion is just to enjoy  it. I don't regret one thing!

BIRTH PHOTO CREDS: Carly Akin Photography

Sadie's Birth Story- Part 2: Labor

I left the doctors office on Monday morning with my little card telling me what time I needed to arrive at the hospital for my induction. It was 11:40am and I knew Jack would call at any minute, as he would be taking his class to lunch. When I finally called at 11:42 (felt like FOREVER!) I broke the news to him.

"We are going to have a baby."

"Yeah? When did they say?" (He knew there was the possibility of induction.)

"Today."

"REALLY!?"

He was so excited. He texted me right after that saying so and telling me how much he loved me and Sadie. Such a sweet daddy! My mom and I went and met my sister and cousin for lunch in Cleveland, since it was my sister's birthday. We are at Dairy Queen but I could hardly eat a bite! I had several people tell me "Eat like it's your last time for a week!" I was just wondering how I could down a French fry. I was so nervous and excited- eating was the farthest thing from my mind. I managed to down about half of what I ordered though,  and I'm glad I did.

Mom and I ran a couple more errands, and she then took me home so I could get everything ready to be at the hospital by 4:30. I showered, washed my hair, and unpacked and repacked our hospital bag. Jack got home at about 3:30 and immediately ran to our room and grabbed me in to the biggest hug ever. I felt his tears on my shoulder and pulled back to find him weeping. It was so sweet. He said he had cried the whole way home!

I called Labor and Delivery to confirm our time, only for them to tell me to wait until 6:30. Mother/Baby was full and they needed to clear out space for us first. So instead of rushing down to the hospital, we stopped by my parents' house for my sister's birthday dinner. I forced myself to shovel down some Brunswick stew and barbecue. Again, glad I did that! We got halfway to Gainesville and our fuel light came on. Jack said "oh I will leave the hospital and go grab some gas one day." Pretty sure the look he got from me told him he would do nothing of the sort, so we stopped at the RaceTrac off of 365 to fill up. As we pulled in, I snapped this picture of a rainbow. It made me smile and put me at ease that everything would be fine with our baby girl and her delivery.

We got to the hospital and got checked in. I am so so SO lucky that my friend Courtney was on the schedule. She and I used to work together at Banks County Middle, and she has since returned to school and received her RN license. So proud of her! She got my iv and all the fun stuff started. They inserted a balloon into my cervix to help it dilate and hooked me up to all the baby monitors. The balloon made me pretty crampy, so I spent a lot of time bouncing on the yoga ball and sitting in the tub.

We were able to get some sleep that night, and at 5am Courtney started the Pitocin to give me contractions. My mom and sister arrived as well and we all were ready to meet this baby soon! The pitocin was pretty smooth at first. I was contracting regularly, but it wasn't so bad. I was actually kind of surprised at myself and how well (I feel) I tolerated the contractions. Courtney left at 7am, as it was the end of her shift but she was to be notified of any progress so she could hurry back and be a part of the delivery. After they removed the balloon and broke my water it was about the same, except now I could no longer lay in the tub due to risks of infection. I was dilated to a 4 though! Yay! I was able to get in a shower, and boy did that feel GOOD. The hot water was as soothing as a touch from Jesus himself. Such relief... Briefly. My nurse came in and said that the shower water was messing up Sadie's monitor and that I needed to get back in bed. I couldn't walk around because of my high blood pressure. So, I begrudgingly crawled back in bed.

My poor crew froze to death because I had the air as low as it would go. It was probably 55 degrees in that delivery room. No joke. I took this picture of them because to me, they looked absolutely crazy. The nurse must have thought it was cold too, because she kept bringing THEM warmed blankets. #WussStatus

Kelly Wood was the midwife on call. She was the one who broke my water earlier that morning, and at noon she checked me again only to inform me that I was dilated to a 4. Whomp whomp. My contractions were getting a good bit stronger, as the Pitocin was being upped every so often. By 3pm I was maxed out on my Pitocin dosage and still laboring away. We tried using a "peanut" which is a yoga ball shaped like a peanut. (Because, duh.) The peanut caused me some intense contractions and I just wanted to sit up. I hated laboring while laying down! When I sat up a while, my nurse came rushing in to make me lay BACK down because Sadie's heart rate was going all funky. The "laying down" contractions mentally just broke me, and then I was even more defeated when they again checked me, only to find I was still at a 4. I relented and asked for an epidural. My mind and body were exhausted, and I wanted to be present in ALL aspects once my baby was born. Within five minutes I had my epidural in place.

My true rock throughout labor. Just before they made me get on my back. 

They told me I had to lay on my back for thirty minutes after the epidural was placed in order for the medicine to spread out like it should. When they did this, I was OUT. I guess I was just SO exhausted that my body gave out and went into a deep sleep. When I woke up, I was on my side with my leg resting in a stirrup. (I honestly don't remember them putting it up. That's how out of it I was!) I was feeling some pressure in my stomach, as if the contractions were coming back. I told my nurse this, and she immediately called Kelly. When she checked me, I was at an 8! An 8! Finally- PROGRESS! It was about 6:55, so Courtney was just clocking in for her night shift with me again. All of a sudden the pressure I felt before got way more intense. You can see our conversation here.

She came rushing in at 7 on the dot, and grabbed gloves. At this point I was wide awake and shaking all over. The pressure in my stomach was so intense, but not really painful. She checked me and said "you're complete, her head is RIGHT THERE. Do NOT push!"

Oh. Boy.

Sadie's Birth Story- Part 1

I would to attempt to tell you all of Sadie's birth story, but it would be the longest blog entry in the history of blog entries. I've decided to break it into three parts, so watch out for Parts 2 and 3 soon. I want to remember every little detail while I can, and so that one day Sadie can read it and know how special her birth day was.

I want to start with the week that we started back to school. I went every day so that I could meet my kids and them know my face and expectations. I also wanted them to know I wasn't just skimping out on class; I clearly had a valid reason. Man, what a GREAT first week of school too! Jack and I really, really enjoyed it and really feel like it's going to be a great year! I managed to waddle my way from class to class and then in the evenings come home and crash while propping up my SUPER swollen ankles. My swelling wasn't so bad until the week I went back to work.

Not only was I swelling, but my blood pressure was also starting to creep up on me. I had low readings throughout my pregnancy, and on Tuesday, August 9 I had a reading of 140/90. Not terrible, but when it's been 100/65 the entire time (literally, it was the same for about a month!) to that higher reading, it is cause for some concern. I had also gained about five pounds in just four days, and it certainly wasn't from food. Anyone who has been pregnant in summer can tell you that the last thing you want to do is sit down and chow on some huge, heavy meal. I had been eating fruit or a shake for breakfast, (ugh) a pizza lunchable during lunch, and usually for dinner I didn't eat at all or I would  just have cereal. Eating was the farthest thing from my mind! I had managed to only gain about five pounds from May until July, so the five pound weight gain in a few days was concerning as well. Five pounds is a lot of fluid!

My midwife, Kim Blasingame, scheduled me to return on Friday and have a recheck of my blood pressure and progress. I'd been dilated to a two and 100% thinned out for two weeks now. Her orders- go WALK WALK WALK! Easier said than done when your feet feel like logs. :(

I made it my mission to walk as much as I could at school the rest of the week. I trudged up and down the stairs that lead up to our 6th grade hallway, I led the class in "walking stations" posted throughout the school so I could get in a few extra steps, and I always took the long way everywhere I went. The more I walked, the more swollen I became, and not just in my feet. My hands were really beginning to swell, my face, my nose... Everything. This was new to me because my whole pregnancy was pure bliss! Swelling did not feel so blissful.

On our way home from school Thursday, Jack and I had the conversation of "I think tomorrow is going to be my last day." I was tired. Like, REALLY tired. And when I get tired, I get super emotional. We decided to see what the doctor would say, but we were pretty sure she would agree.

Friday afternoon at my recheck, my blood pressure readings were still off. 145/92. Worse. They decided to draw labs and check everything out. They also agreed that yes, I indeed needed to end working for the time being. See you Monday for another blood pressure check! Yeehaw.

Jack went to work without me Monday morning and was super bummed about if. We love working together! My mom took me to the doctor at 10am that morning to have my blood pressure checked, so it was my first appointment without anyone there. As expected, my blood pressure was high, 146/95. They put me into an exam room and gave me the dreadful lovely paper blanket to drape over myself for an exam. (Which, first time moms- getting "checked" never hurt me! A little pressure but never any pain. Don't let people scare you!)  I saw The midwife Sally, who came in with a concerned look on her face. She said that my blood pressure was too high, as were my liver enzymes, and that my platelet count was frighteningly low. Her next words shot through my heart and I'm pretty positive if I hadn't been sitting down, I would have been on the floor involuntarily. She said, "It's time to have a baby."

All the waiting, all the bouncing on a yoga ball, all the walked miles, all the labor cocktails, all the essential oils, all the pineapple, all the spicy food, all the labor cookies (literally, all of them), all the reflexology messages... All the things I'd done to try and jump start labor were totally and suddenly minute. I shook as I texted Jack "OMG. CALL ME ASAP." Not thinking it would freak him out AT ALL. I waited for Sally to schedule my induction. She wanted to get me in by Thursday, August 18 because of the approaching full moon. Labor and Delivery may possibly be too busy to induce me then. She came back in the room and handed me a card with a date and time on it. "Call the number...." Her voice drifted off as I stared at the card in my hand. I immediately felt hot tears prickling my eyes but yet I floated out of the doctors office on cloud nine and to my mom's car.

Today. I was being induced, today.