(Read Part 1 Here) By the time we got the paperwork filled out at the hospital, it was shift change, and another girl and I were both laboring in the waiting room together standing or kneeling and leaning against the chairs. It probably was an amusing sight. After we got settled into our room, my mom arrived, and my midwife asked if I wanted a cervix check. I was 5 cm, which was super encouraging because I wasn’t sure how I would progress (I was induced first pregnancy).

I spent most of my time laboring on a birthing ball, with both Phil and my mom applying counter pressure. During contractions I would close my eyes and picture myself on the beach. It was worlds different than my first labor; I had practiced different breathing techniques and learning things such as counter pressure that made contractions so much more bearable. At one point I was struggling through contractions and asked about some pain meds and my midwife told me that I was doing so well at relaxing and staying calm, and with any type of meds I’d be stuck on the bed. I knew I didn’t want that after what I went through with my first labor and really appreciated that she encouraged me in my birth plan.

A few minutes later my water broke while I was on the birthing ball. After that I’m not quite sure how much time passed, as everything blurred together. My midwife came to check in on me and I was 8 cm, but Kayden’s heart rate kept dropping and he was in distress (it had been back and forth while I was laboring but got more concerning at that point). Quite a few people were in the room at this point, and they kept having me reposition to try and get his heart rate up.

During my first delivery I didn’t understand what was going on and had no idea that a c-section was on the table until they were shoving a paper in my hand and asking me to sign it on the way to the operating room. This time around I knew it could end in a c-section and knew if it was a true emergency I would go under general anesthesia and was mentally prepared for it. Also, the midwife and nurses working with me communicated with me so well. They told me that they would try their best to get his heart rate up, but if not, we’d be looking at a c-section soon.

It was so hard me to reposition, even with help, because my contractions were so long and intense that I struggled to focus on breathing while trying to move. They could tell that the cord wasn’t around his neck, but weren’t sure why Kayden was in distress, so they mentioned a c-section again. I think I was crying and I told them, “Do it now, just get him here safely!” I was praying over and over for him as I was wheeled into surgery and the last thing I remember is getting moved to the operating table and the anesthesiologist putting the mask over my nose and mouth. Phil and Dr filled in the blanks afterwards for me; Kayden was born at 10:48 am and it was about 12:15pm when I was wheeled back into the room and saw the clock.

After putting me to sleep and getting Kayden out, he screamed right away, wasn’t purple at all, and didn’t even need oxygen. Phil had been waiting outside of the room with the door open and he felt relief soon as he heard Kayden screaming and was able to go into the room within a minute. They never did find out why he was in distress, but after delivering him my uterus wasn’t contracting back down. They had to use quite a few meds on me, but not before I lost a liter of blood. Not long after I woke up, the Dr and anesthesiologist came in to talk to us and they let me know that recovery would be harder than my first c-section not just because of the general anesthesia, but also due to the other meds they had to give me.

I vaguely remember being awake as they were wheeling me through the halls, and I remember feeling so cold and shaky. Right after getting into the room Phil put Kayden into my arms, and relief coursed through me. I remember crying and kissing his face and saying thank you to God over and over. As I looked at him and memorized his face, it felt like de-ja-vu…I thought he looked just like Isa when she was born.

Obviously, an emergency c-section wasn’t in the plan, but as I mentioned my birth experience with Kayden was a much more positive experience and even felt redemptive. Being able to go into labor naturally and all the preparation I did for labor this time around made a huge difference. I felt like the staff at this hospital communicated so well and supported me in my birth plan, while also being quick on their feet to keep Kayden safe. I was slightly sad that it ended in a c-section, but the other parts and having a sweet, healthy baby boy in my arms far outweigh the negatives.

The rest of our stay was a positive experience. The staff was attentive, but also having my mom and Phil (both nurses) there and advocating for me made a huge difference. Even with the surgery and meds, having a partial night of sleep the night helped both Phil and I feel more rested. We were also able to have visitors, as opposed to 2020. My dad and brother were able to visit in the afternoon. And once I was feeling less groggy and shaky, Phil went to pick Isa up and she was able to meet Kayden just a few hours after he was born.

The nurses kept a close eye on me to make sure I wouldn’t need a blood transfusion and on Kayden to make sure his sugar levels stayed within optimal range. We both had an amazing recovery and were allowed to leave the hospital a day early even with the previous complications. In the hospital I remember continuing to thank God over and over for this sweet blessing that he had given us. Physically being able to hold and care for this little baby that had been prayed for and desired for so long felt (and still sometimes does) so surreal.

If you’ve made it to the end…I’m impressed because I know it was rather long. But I hope through what I have shared that you see how thankful I am for the grace and provision God has shown our family throughout the waiting period, pregnancy, delivery, and now adjusting at home as a family of four. I hope that you can be encouraged and reminded that God’s plans are so much greater than our own and that he is intimately involved with the day to day of our lives.

Professional Photos By: Faith Focus Photography