Kasey Randall: Blake's Birth Story

Part of the fun when you don't find out the sex of your baby is that you get to buy 2 adorable outfits. I was always well prepared at least for the "going" home outfit.

Friday morning March 1st, I had my 38 week appointment with Dr. Lipinski. I was 4 centimeters dilated, 75% effaced and having bloody show. She said I would have you by this weekend. My mom drove up with Amy, convinced I would go into labor soon too. I think I was in denial, I didn’t really feel like I was in labor. Contractions would come and go during the day; some were a lot stronger, but never close together. We even went to Beka’s gym to work out and try and go into labor.

Saturday March 2nd, nothing was too eventful; we had plans to hang out with our small group in the evening. We headed to the Janssen’s at 4:30. The girls were going shopping at TJ Maxx, while the guys were babysitting. While we were out shopping, I had a few really strong contractions, some even took my breath away. We headed back so I could call the triage nurse, and Brett and I could decide what to do. The nurse thought it would be a good idea to get checked out. So we went home and I was able to shower and finish packing. Beka and Amy were able to come to our house and watch Taylor. As we said goodbye to Taylor, it really hit me and I started to cry.

Mom, Brett, and I drove to the hospital and arrived around 8 pm. The nurse in the triage room checked me and said I was 5 cm and 90% effaced, I was in shock. We waited in the triage room until 9:15, because they were so busy. We got checked into our room 383. Brett and I started walking the hallways to speed up my contractions.

Dr. Hines came in around 10 pm and we talked to her about our birth plan and breaking my water. She tried to break my water and couldn’t get back far enough, it hurt so bad! She said my cervix was posterior and thick and that we had a long ways to go. I was crying not just from the pain, but just thinking that labor was going to be a lot longer than we thought.

Brett and I walked and prayed. Praise God after only an hour of walking and bouncing on the ball my cervix had thinned out and was in the right position. My labor nurse, Kathleen was so awesome, found out she goes to Prairie Lakes too. Dr. Hines was able to break my water, so contractions started hurting more and we got the epidural ordered. I was about 7 centimeters when the anesthesiologist came and administered the epidural. The epidural kicked in pretty fast and this time I didn’t have a hot spot and I had more control of my legs. I was able to relax and almost slept through transition.

Dottie took over Kathleen’s spot at 3 am. Kathleen didn’t want to miss the exciting part of pushing and seeing what we were having. I was starting to shake and feel pressure way down there, so Dottie checked me and said I was a 9; but I still had some cervix so she would check me in an hour. I said no, I was only 9 ½ centimeters with Taylor when Dr. Lipinski had me push. Dottie went to find Dr. Hines because the pressure was getting worse with every contraction. Dr. Hines was delivering another baby and had to leave a woman to come deliver you. It was a busy night in the hospital. I started pushing at 5 am. The bed was broken, so they had to take the bottom half off. We had them put the bed straight up, so I could have more gravity to push you out. With every contraction I pushed two or three times. I only had about 12 contractions. So after only 30 minutes your head came out. Dr Hines told me to slow down, but I was too excited to know who you were. I gave one more push and your body slid out. Dr. Hines turned you over so Daddy could see you. He said through tears of joy, “It’s Blake!”

We both started crying and daddy cut the cord and then you were placed on my chest. You cried right away and had a lot of white vernix on you since you were early, but oh so cute with your dark hair.

This is my favorite picture, captures the moment perfectly. I held you and we kissed you for a little bit before the nurses whisked you away to get you cleaned and weighed.

We are overjoyed, so excited you are a boy. Daddy and I wanted a boy so badly and it was you the whole time. We couldn’t be happier!