Since Hadley is already 6 weeks old (crazy how fast time is going by) these first few post will be long as I will try to recap the first month and a half of her life.
Hadley's Birth Story
Unfortunately/fortunately I have already forgot many of the details of her day of arrival. Luckily I have the letter Stacy wrote about the day to help jog my memory. As much as I thought I didn't want to have anyone there while I was in labor I was so glad Stacy came! I love you mom and don't get your feelings hurt about this next comment, but my mom was making me very anxious and Stacy was able to keep her company and preoccupied by margaritas! I cannot even imagine what it was like for her to see me in such pain and not be able to do anything about it. Now that Hadley is here I cannot stand it when she has gas and it makes her cry so to see your daughter in labor must be a very hard thing to watch.
Since I had PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) and had been on bed rest since spending my birthday in the hospital Dr. Gogola said it was time to induce. On Wednesday, July 7th Matt and I went to the hospital to start the whole process. Since I had not started to dilate they gave me Cervidil to get things started. They started that at 9 p.m. Matt and I watched a little t.v. and then went to bed.
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at about 3 a.m. I started feeling uncomfortable and had cramps. Our wonderful nurse Cassandra came in and gave me something for the pain. It didn't really help, but it wasn't too bad so I tried to go back to sleep. I couldn't really sleep and at 7 a.m they started Pitocin. The contractions started to really become consistent and constant. At 10 a.m. Dr. Gogola checked and I was at 1 cm. and then at noon he checked again and I was at 2 cm and at that point he broke my water. (That is the most uncomfortable feeling EVER.) I was disappointed because I could really feel the contractions and was in pain and hoped it wouldn't be too much longer before we met our baby girl. They increased the Pitocin drip and at about 2 pm they checked again and I was at 3 cm. I really was trying hard to wait to get an epidural but I was in a lot of pain and since Matt spent most of the morning working I was also a little frustrated. He usually is so attentive, but for some reason he thought I didn't need him I guess?!?! So I was more than ready for some relief. I had to wait an hour before the anesthesiologist was able to give me the epidural. At 3 I started to feel relief and took a little nap while Matt, Stacy and my mom went to Pappasitos for Margaritas (round 2 for mom and Stacy).
I hear they had an adventure and tried to go find a present for me. They went to Memorial City mall to shop for some kind of piece of jewelry with a ruby. At some point they went to Sears.. really Sears?!?!
Anyways when they came back I was dilated to 6cm and it was around 6 p.m. I started feeling intense pain and pressure and could feel my legs again. The dr said I would probably start to dilate a cm an hour so I was preparing myself for a 10 p.m. ish delivery. At 7 Cassandra, our nurse from the night before, came back on duty and she could tell I was in pain. I was sweating and cold all at the same time and was trying to not cry. I told her I was in a lot of pain and wanted the anesthesiologist to come back. She tried paging him but he never showed up. She had everyone leave the room so she could check me and at 7:15 p.m. I was fully dilated and ready to push. When Matt and Stacy showed back up I told them it was time and to get all their stuff out of the room.. Stacy ran out of the room with all the bags and a few minutes later my mom and Becky ran in the room to give me a hug and kiss.
At 7:30 I started to push and with Matt's great coaching and Cassandra there encouraging me I knew it wouldn't be too much longer before I met Hadley! Dr. Gogola didn't realize how close to delivering I was and he showed up at about 7:50 and at 7:52 p.m. Hadley Grace Kannady made her debut!
She had her eyes wide open and was looking around and after Matt cut the umbilical cord she started crying! I was honestly just in shock and overwhelmed with happiness that she was safely here. She scored a 9/9 on her Apgar but she is a perfect 10 to me! We prayed for her for 9 long months and we prayed for the gift of a child for 9 months before that. Matt and I feel truly blessed. I know that was a long story, but I wanted to recount as much of the day as possible for Hadley's sake!
