Sunday April 7th was the day before I hit 41 weeks pregnant. I tried EVERYTHING to induce labor on my own. All the tricks you can think of! Even Castor Oil at 2:30 AM on Monday morning. Nothing brought on consistency in starting LABOR! Days prior I had had contractions but nothing even amounted to anything like how my other labors were! I knew something wasn’t right! Deep down in my gut I knew! I of course could not put my finger on what the problem was though. I feel like I knew for a while too. I even told Brian on our way Monday morning…. that I’ve felt like it for a while but never said anything because I just didn’t want to say anything out loud like that.
Monday morning came and so we had to go in for the non-stress test to check baby’s heart rate. We met with my midwife Narrisa and assistant Jessica at a birth center in Ventura. In 30 min. the little guy’s heart rate went down a few times and I wasn’t in labor. Narrisa my midwife thought it’d be best to get the ultra sound and do another stress test at the county hospital across the street. Brian and I headed out to grab a quick bite to eat then to the hospital. They hooked me up right away and got some readings and did the ultra sound. They could only find one pocket of fluid 3 centimeters. 5 is considered low so 3 was even lower. After discussion with Narrisa, the drs there, & my mom we decided that we should stay at the hospital and start a little form of induction to get him moving to come out. I remember thinking “I sure hope this is the “bad feeling I keep getting…. that I have to be in the hospital and not at home, and not something worse” I prayed! We had many others praying too. I felt comfortable at this baby friendly hospital. They didn’t routinely do C-sections (as some private drs do) and so that made me comfortable knowing they would only do that if they had to for the safety of our little guy!
We waited a while to get set up in a labor/ delivery room. Lots of waiting! Then the Dr’s had labors they were working on with other people. Finally at 5:30 they came to give me Cytotec. They said they would give to me every 4 hours if the baby tolerated and heart rate was fine. Narissa went home to get some things that would help me through labor (30 min away) Well it didn’t take long for it to start kicking in. I started getting contractions. I think around 7:15 or 7:30 Dr had come in and said that he had some distress when I was coming down from some contractions. He started mentioning c-section possibilities if his heart rate kept going kinda crazy. The nurse was super sweet though and said that we could work and change up positions when I labor. She had me place my hands on Brian’s shoulders and sway back and fourth.
I stood up and labored for an hour. Sitting or laying down hurt too bad and wasn’t working for his heart rate. The entire time I stood, his heart rate was perfect. I just had to stand! That hour was hard. That was labor. It was so intense. I threw up. Twice. If you know me…. I can’t stand to throw up! Brian was my hero. He cheered me on and kept me going. I thought I was going to faint a few times. I needed a cool cloth. The nurse had to FIND one. Why are there never wash cloths when I am in labor?!?!? Brian cooled me with a cup of ice while I balanced on him. (stay tuned…. another post….about my hero)
My Mom was on her way!
8:30 came and contractions were close. Brian actually said they NEVER let up completely. They went down but back up.
My Mom walked in as I was saying we need to call the nurse, I was ready to push!
They came in to get me on the bed and get ready to give birth. I wanted them to BREAK MY WATER… I was ready!
I remember waiting for what seemed like YEARS for the DR! The Dr. was slow it seemed and they told me he was getting dressed. I remember saying “I don’t care if he’s naked….I’m gonna push this baby out, so break my water”. Finally he broke my water. One and 1/2 push and he was born. Brian was able to reach down and pull him up to me! 8:47 he was born. 9 pounds and 5 oz. Biggest baby in our family!
Narissa got there as I was pushing him out.
I held him. I stared at him. I praised God he was safe!
They said the cord was wrapped around his neck 3 times! The cord was so long! I wish I had a picture! It was so long!
I’m thankful I listened and decided to stay and give him a little push to come out (and didn’t need more doses or pitocin). I’m thankful we only needed one tiny pill and that it went so fast. I’m thankful there were no problems with that long cord. I’m thankful for the MANY people praying for us this day!
Cody Kenneth Kraft (story behind his name….stay tuned for another post about that)
I got cleaned up. The nurse mentioned if we wanted to leave early we would just have to sign papers to head out early. We got baby Cody Kenneth all checked out and we headed home 11:15ish pm. We were pretty excited to head home right away. I knew my midwife was going to care for us the next morning too and so I really had no concerns! I’m sad that Jessica (the assistant who’s been at two other births of mine couldn’t count Cody as a “catch” for her I realized on the way home how completely STARVING I WAS !!! Nothing was open. We went to McDonalds because couldn’t find another place. Do you know how hungry a person is after giving birth!?!? It actually tasted amazing, even though I was really wanting like a yummy home cooked meal! HA!
Gregory and Adam were awake and ready to meet him.
I was living on Adrenaline and am still dealing with it being tough to sleep even though I’m so tired!!
Next morning he got to meet his other siblings! Gideon actually got to meet Cody in the night. He came in our room with a HUGE smile on his face!
The next day Narrisa and Jessica helped talked to the Kids about the Placenta and gave a little lesson on how I need to rest and take some days to rest and give my body time to heal. Good home schooling moment. I know God had his hand in all of this! God is good. If I had been home for him, most likely they would have had to transport me during labor to a hospital due to his stress level. This was a safer option to transport before labor to be induced due to the fluid level and his non-reassuring fetal heart tones.
