Labor and delivery of Cooper John

It all start Wednesday night around ten. I was on the ground playing with Boone and felt a little gush. I looked at Cody and said pretty sure my water just broke. Contractions where very mild at this point so we decided to go to bed. I really didn't get any sleep, I started timing the contractions around 1 am they were 5 minute apart and I was bleeding quite a bit. I woke Cod up and said I think it time to pack up and head fore the hospital. This was so exiting, we got everything together and got to the hospital around 3. They let me go right to a room sense my water had already broken. I got checked and I was already a 4 and 90% effaced. This was good news to me, I was progressing and the contractions really didn't hurt all that bad. I was very confident that this labor thing was going to go fast and smooth. Well I continued to labor the rest of the night laying in bed trying to sleep in between contractions. Around 7am I was no longer able to just lay there. Elizabeth (my Douala) would use counter pressure while I was breathing through a contraction and that help so much. I was able to breath right through them. We went on walks around the hospital, rocked on the birthing ball, slow danced with Cody and sat in a huge tub all through out the day. Finally someone came to check on me at about 3pm they said I was dilated to about a 5 maybe 6. I started crying, there was know way I could continue for to much longer. I could tell I was becoming exhausted. Cody held me and reminded me that I could do this. He really gave me the confidence to continue on. I then got into the tub again. It was amazing, the tub is like an epidural in my opinion. Everything feels much better. Then around 5:00 my contractions intensified by like a million. They were coming super fast and SO HARD. I was freaking out, I thought for sure this baby was coming any second. The nurse came in to check and see if I was fully dilated and she said I was dilated to a 6 or 7 I cant remember. That was so hard for me to hear. I did not want to continue, I decided an epidural sounded pretty good right now. I think I even begged for it:) I wasn't able to get one right when I asked, they started me on an IV and gave me some drug that made me so loopy. They told me that I was going to feel like I was very drunk. And that it did, I always wondered what being drunk felt like. Well lets just say, I didn't feel much at all, my body was so relaxed, I could barely open my eyes. I said anything and everything that came to my mind. I laughed at everything but I could still feel all the contractions I was just to relaxed to really care. Around 7:00 my epidural finally arrived. I was very happy for this. I felt immediate relief. ( From what I had read in a lot of my books they made me think epidurals where bad, that they would take away the labor experience) I was going to try and do it with out one but I was still leaning toward getting one if I needed to. Well let me say, the epidural was nothing like I thought it was going to be. I could still feel and move my legs, I could still fell my contractions just not the pain only pressure. I was able to relax a bit and not think I was about to die. Cody really liked it too. He said it was really hard seeing me in so much pain and not being able to stop it.

Finally at 9:00 I felt like it was time to push. I called for the nurse and sure enough I was fully dilated and the babies head was engaged. Then the real work came, I had know idea how hard it was to push out a baby. I figured my body would do most of the work. Wrong I pushed with every last bit of energy I had and more. I pushed for about 45 min, which felt like a really long time but the nurses said that's great for my first kid. On average it takes about 3 hours. While I was pushing I really wasn't in reality. It felt like a dream, I couldn't open my eyes knowing that that would take energy. I remember everyone telling me the baby was almost there. and saying look at all that hair and to keep pushing. Finally I felt all the pressure go away, and I could hear Kara reach down and grab your baby. I snapped back into reality and realized I had just given birth to this amazing little child. I was able to hold him from the moment he came out. He was beautiful. I was sobbing, I looked up at Cody and he was crying tpo. That moment I will remember forever. I have never felt so much love at one time. It was amazing. I will cherish little Cooper forever and be the best mom that I can be.

40 weeks

Sorry, no baby pictures yet. I was hoping 39 weeks would be my last post.

Things are going great! I had a doctors appointment on Friday and I was 3 centimeters dilated and everything was looking really good (except baby is still facing the wrong way). He stripped my membranes again, it caused a lot of cramping and bleeding but no labor. I have been contraction A LOT but they never lead anywhere. I will keep you posted.

And pray that labor will start on its own and I wont have to be induced!

40 Weeks (I was having a contraction in the picture so my stomach is very round.)

39 weeks

So I'm kind of hoping that this will be my last pregnancy post. I think I'm done being pregnant. Not that it hasn't been fun but I really really want to meet our little guy. And 9 months is a very long time to wait. I'm starting to feel really large. My stomach has expanded to an amazing size. Putting on shoes is really hard, standing up is a challenge. And I think I'm starting to waddle as I walk, its like the babies head is right between my legs or something. Oh wait it is:) Its crazy that he only has a couple inches to go to be out of me but those couple of inches are going to be not so pleasant. I'm ready though! Let the labor begin!

Last week was good. It was my first week not working. Yes a quit my job!! Best feeling ever. I thought I would have oodles of time to get things done. But I swear I'm just as busy as before. I don't think life will slow down ever. And that's ok, I enjoy being busy. For pregnancy things are good. I had a false alarm on Thursday. I thought my water broke! This may be TMI .I went to the bath room and I was all wet. Like I had peed my pants:) But not as much as if my water had broken. So I thought well maybe I peed my pants, I did have to go really bad. So I changed myself and went to the bathroom later and my underwear was wet again. Anyways I got all exited and thought labor was soon to start. But still not quite sure if it was actually my water that had broke. There really wasn't that much water coming our. I called and talked to my doctor and he said it was probably the lubrication he used during the exam today. Gross! So no labor that day:(

For symptoms ....

My hips and super achy and wobbly. I am HUNGRY! I think the baby must be taking more because I am a lot hungrier. Stretch marks on my sides none on my stomach(knock on wood). My feet are staring to swell a bit. Boobs are getting a lot bigger and hurt. My back hurts!!! I have gained 24 pounds as of now. That really not much for being 9 months pregnant but to see the scale that high is a little scary. And I'm starting to wonder if I will ever look the same. And this week I have been tearful again. I blame it on the hormones. I haven't cried for months. And on Friday Cody and I went on a date to dinner and a movie. I stared crying on the way home. I had know idea why, I just felt like crying. Then Saturday at the temple I couldn't stop crying again. People were staring and I nice man even brought me a tissue to blow my nose.

Doctors Apt

I'm am now going to the doctors two times a week thanks to the ultrasound tech that measured my fluids wrong. So on Friday I went in after work and they watched the babies heart rate for about 30 min. The doctor reviewed it and said everything looked great but the cord is wrapped around his neck, not good. Hopefully that will change. Then I had an ultra sound to check the fluids around the baby and everything looked good but the baby had turned. So instead of looking toward my back he is looking toward my belly button. That's not goo either. I have now been on my hands and knees a lot to try and help him turn into the right position, I read that it is suppose to help them turn.

As I was talking to my doctor he says, I was really hoping that you would have gone into labor after the last visit. I ask him why, I am only 38 weeks I have 3 or 4 more weeks that the baby can stay in there. He told me that he has a bad feeling about me staying pregnant for much longer. Confused I asked if there was anything medically wrong with me or the baby that is concerning him. He said no but my gut feeling is usually right on these things.

My feelings on this are a little confused. Its seems a little unprofessional for him to just say that he has a bad feeling. Unless there is a real reason to be in a hurry, I don't mind being pregnant for another 2 weeks or so. I hope everything goes well and the baby continuous to stay healthy.

~PIctures~

35 weeks

36 weeks

36 weeks

37 weeks

37 weeks

37 weeks

On Tuesday I had a doctors visit, I was super exited because we had an ultra sound scheduled which means we got to see the little guy. Cody and I went to the ultrasound tech and she didnt say much but I figured everything was fine. Then we went up stairs to my OB and the nurse directed us to the ultra sound room. I thought it was weird to be having another ultra sound when I just had one. Then my doctor got to the room and told us that my previous ultra sound had shown that my omniotic fluid was super low. It was measuring at around a 2 and average is 8. He was super serious and said I would like to get the baby out no later than tonight. My thought was, oh geez this probably means c section. I really really did not want that but I wasnt scared and was ok with it knowing this what out of my control. Poor Cody looked like he was going to faint.

Anyways the doctor wanted to do another ultra sound to see what measurement he got and when he did it it was up to 8. Which is perfect, right where it is suppose to be. Because of that little scare he has me on high alert. He now he has been monitering the baby a lot more and having my come in twice a week for a stress test to make sure the baby is ok. Im really glad that is was just an miss reading but it got me to realize that the baby is going to be here any day. Im not sure if im ready yet. I would still like to decorate the babys room and clean the house really well. But ready or not the baby is going to be here soon, so I best be getting ready for him.

Oh and just for a side note... I was not very happy about this. When he check my cervix to see if I was diolated he sweeped my membrains without asking or telling me. Im only 37 weeks and sweeping your membrains will put you into labor if the baby is ready. I was so crampy and spotting for the next two days. Yeah, Im not to happy with him. But im not in labor yet so I think the baby still wants to cook for a while!

Week 33,34,35,36

Wow! Where has the time gone? I thought I only skipped one week. Anyways I will try and recap what has happened pregnancy wise in the last month.

This month has been great! I am actually love being pregnant lately.

I love the round belly, feeling the baby move, buying baby stuff, talking to friends and family about different baby and pregnancy topics. I really wouldn't mind if I was a week or two late.

I had both baby showers this month. One that my friends through me and one from my mother in law threw me. They were both so much fun! There was so much good food and the baby got so spoiled with gifts. This little guy has more clothes than I know what to do with, I cant wait to put them on him!

As for symptoms I really cant complain to much. I think I have it really easy.* I did get a few stretch marks on my sides but I have come to peace with them. I decided however my body changes it will all be worth it. *My back is bad:( It really hurts, especially after a long day of doing hair.

Other than that I cant complain. At my last doc apt I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced and the baby has dropped and is in the correct position. He is all ready to come but I hope he stays in there for a few more weeks. Just so I can get the house cleaned and his room all decorated:)

Week 33

6 more weeks to go tell I get to hold my baby!!!

Its starting to feel more real everyday. I can not wait to have this precious little boy here.

Pregnancy is going really good! I am feeling great. Cody and I went to Florida last week, I was a little worried about how traveling would go but I didn't have the baby on the plane or in Florida. And the trip was wonderful! Cody calls it our "Babymoon".

I only have 4 more weeks of working at Dj Everetts:) This makes me smile. Ever sense I got that job 2 years ago, I knew it was a place that I did not want to be doing hair at for very long. Its been an awesome job for the most part and I have learned a lot. But I am so exited to just be working from home. I enjoy it so much more. I love being able to have my clients knock on my door, do their hair and then they leave. No driving for me or waiting around at the salon for my next client.

~Symptoms~

*MY BACK HURTS!!

It hurts so bad, it starts at my lower back and works its way up all the way to about my bra. I get prenatal massages and it really doesn't help. I'm sure doing hair all day long and having a inverted uterus where I hold the baby really low is why.

* Heart Burn.

I really didn't think I had heart burn. My friends all warned me that heart burn is so bad when you are pregnant. I was bragging to Cody that I never have had it. Right after that I started complaining that whenever I eat I burp up my food for the longest time.. He laughed and informed me that that is heart burn. So I guess I get it. But its not that bad.

*Stretch mark*

I got my first stretch mark while I was in Florida. I am not happy about it, I really would love to not get any more.

Weight gain: 18 lbs.

Sorry to not have any photos up. I haven't stopped taking them but my computers hard drive is full and wont let my upload any more photos. I will get some up soon though.

32 weeks

Only 8 weeks to go!! The count down has begun and now I need to start getting things done. I was planning on waiting until after the baby showers before I went out and bought stuff but I'm getting anxious and want to have everything ready.

This week has been really good, I feel great considering I'm 8 months pregnant. Surprisingly I'm still able to work and it doesn't bother me at all being on my feet all day. I have a coworker that is a month behind me and she has had to cut her hours in half and when she is working it is really hard on her. I'm grateful to be able to still work. I would get really antsy if I was home for the rest of my pregnancy.

As of symptoms lately I have still been having horrible leg camps in the middle of the night. My skin is so dry, especially my face. I use lotion on it every chance I get and its still so flaky. And because my skin is so dry I have a bunch of rashes on my body, some on my neck, foot, face, hands. I don't think I cant use anything besides lotion to help them. But Ill bring it up to my doctor and see what he has to say. My appetite is about the same. Ive been craving grapefruit and milk. And I still really don't like meat at all.

As of weight gain I started at 130 and now I'm at 146. I think that's about normal. I read that from here on out you typically gain about a pound a week. I may just stop weighing myself so I dont have to see the scale get past 150:)

31 weeks

I want to meet this little guys so bad. At night when he is most active Cody usually holds my belly and I lay there in bed just wondering what this kid is going to be like. I already love him so much. I'm not sure if this is a pregnancy thing but every time I see a new baby or see a picture of one I start to cry, Not really sure why, I just feel like babies are a miracle. They are perfect!

Week 30

Life is GOOD! The new year has already been super eventful.

Here is everything that has happened. Saturday I was really good, I was getting a great work out in, I ran on the treadmill and then did a bunch of squats and lungs. My back was kind of hurting but nothing serious. I showered and got ready to go out, then my back was really hurting. Went grocery shopping with Cody and then I really couldn't walk by the time we were done. It hurt SO BAD. Went home, Cody had to carry me to the couch, I started crying cuz it hurt so bad. After a few hours it got a lot better and I could kind of walk and its been getting better sense. Not sure what happened, I'm guessing I must have tweaked it doing squats or something. Not fun

Then... Tuesday I had a doctors apt. I had to do my gestational diabetes test. SO GROSS. I heard a lot of people say it wasn't bad and some say it is really bad. Well in my opinion it was awful. I could barely choke it done and I almost threw up while doing it. The apt went well, baby is nice and healthy. I leave and go to work and still feel super nausea. I wanted to go home but I had a bunch of hair apts to do. I let my clients know I wasnt not feeling well because I had to drink a nasty drink for some test. By my last apt I could tell this was more than an upset stomach. I left work and on my way home I about through up in my truck. Cody would have killed me:) I made it home and was so sick the rest of the night. It was the worst flu I have ever had. Its Saturday and I'm still recovering.

Because of the flu I was really dehydrated and on Wednesday night I got freaked out because I was having strong braxton hicks contractions. I had 3 or so in about 30 min and Cody was ready to go to the doctor. I told him its fine. (a little worried myself though) I drank as much water as my stomach would let me and went to bed. Everything was good.

Then to make things more eventful. Thursday and Friday I was so busy at work and probably working more than I should have. After I got off work Friday night we went straight to the temple. Got in the dressing room, I hurried and went to the rest room and noticed there was blood. I got super worried. Ive only bleed once while being pregnant and that was in the 1st trimester. I ask one of the sweet little ladies if she could possibly go get my husband. He was in the men's dressing room changing. I was thinking we would have to go the the ER:) but we called my doctor and he asked a bunch of questions. I could have gone and got checked out but the bleeding stopped. So we went home and decided to take it easy for the rest of the weekend. My boss was nice and let me move my clients saturday to next week. The bleeding stopped and now Im just going to take it easy today. I read things on line and Im not to worried about it.

So that was a lot of things to happen. Im exited to meet this little baby and get him here safely.

Week 29

This post and the picture were taken a little late, Im just about 30 weeks today. We have been so busy with Christmas. I have been home pretty much just to sleep.

Week 29 was good though. I dont have to much to complain about. My belly has gotten HUGE! I swear it popped out over night. Its getting harder to breath. My back is hurting so bad.

The baby is moving so much now. I use to just be able to feel kicks. Now I can feel him rolling around when ever he is awake. He has been attacking my bladder and I swear its going to pop one of these days. I am going to the bath room about every 30 minutes through out the whole day.

Last week I realized how fast things are flying by. It dawned on me that I have about 10 weeks before Im going to get to take care of this little guy. Im freaking out because I dont have things ready and Im not quite sure what I have to buy. My plan is to make a list of everything left to get, register and wait tell the baby showers are done. Then I can get the things I dont have. Is that the best way to do it? Or should I go get some stuff now...

I think my belly button keeps getting higher the bigger I get. It looks way out of place:)

Week 28

Im officially in the 3rd trimester!! I want the 2nd to be back, it went by way to quick. I am feeling really tired and a little nauseous again. Work has slowed down a bit and I am just fine with it because I need the breaks.

For symptoms: *dry skin! I cant believe how much lotion I have to use and I am still dry.* Big boobs!! I am kind of liking this one, its fun to fill out my shirts, but I went to buy some pregnancy shirts and I didn't fit into my regular size because my boobs were to big. I cant say I have ever had that problem when shopping. I wonder if they will go back to normal size when I'm not prego.*stuffy nose *leg cramps * Swelling, my feet have started to swell by the end of the day * Back pain, this just started bugging me last week. My back is so bad I want to cry by the end of the day. * Numb leg, I know I read this is normal to have but its really freaks me out to have one of my legs numb.

All in all everything is going really well. The baby is still really healthy and strong. My belly has finally started to show, people are asking me if Im pregnant:)

Here some pics of me at week 28

26 Weeks

One word for everyone, TIRED!!

OK so the 2nd trimester did not last long enough. All of this amazing energy and feeling great is gone. I'm back to feeling like I'm in the 1st trimester again. But instead of the nausea I cant bend over and move very well due to my expanding stomach.

Last week was super hard on me. I have been so tired, getting horrible calf cramps in the middle of the night, tearful, hungry, and super dizzy. Have any of you had that or heard of this? I don't think I have read about this symptom in books but its pretty bad. Especially when I am doing hair, there has been a few times where I am about to faint and have to take a break. I'm not sure if I need to be eating more or not standing on my feet as much. But I hope this one goes away soon. I don't want to be passing out while giving a hair cut:)

On a more positive note my favorite thing of being pregnant right now is feeling and watching the baby move. Cody will talk to my stomach and he will start kicking all around. I LOVE IT:)

I often find myself wondering what life is going to be like being a mom. Its really crazy how in three months I will have a son to take care of. I have always want to be a mom, I have dreamed of raising a family with lots of kids running around. Now that its coming reality I'm not really sure what I'm suppose to do. I'm not really sure how to be a mom. I have read a lot of books and everyone of them is completely different. I'm hopping I can take what Ive learn from growing up, watching other parents and talking with friends. I hope I will be a good mom and raise strong happy kids

Why?

Sometimes I wonder why people say the things they say:)

A few weeks ago I had a client come in and she asked me how pregnancy was going ect. Then she says well you look great! You are carrying him very well. You have just gained a little weight right here (as she grabs her love handles) Other than that you look really good.

All I could think was Kara don't be rude don't kick her in the face for saying that. I'm sure she didn't mean it in a rude way.

Now I am self conscious of my lovehandles, stupid lady!

FYI dont tell a pregnant lady she is gaining weight anywhere, she may hurt you:)

25 weeks

I really wanted to update this blog each week but I think I have skipped two weeks in a row. Im slacking! I will do better though.

Pregnancy has been super easy lately. I feel really good and have plenty of energy.

I officially bought my first pair a maternity pants last week:) I had the hardest time finding a cute pair, they all looked like old lady pants. I finally broke down and spent 50 buck on a pair that are pretty cute. I'm cheap so that was a lot to spend on one pair of pants. I'm planning on wearing these pants a lot, so they better last:)

For symptoms I would say *I have a much bigger appetite, I'm always hungry. *I'm still getting calf cramps in the middle of the night. *The baby kicks A LOT, I love it. * Stuffy nose *

I think one of the hardest things for me lately is not doing to much. I don't feel pregnant so I think I can do anything. Like move furniture around and carry very heavy things. Cody has to remind me that I cant do those things.

25 weeks

22 Weeks

Yesterday at church I was talking in the hall with some friends. Katie says,"Geez Kara you don't even look pregnant at all." Then James says,"Ya you just are looking chubby!"

This is what never to say to a pregnant lady, I was wanting to kill him for saying that. His wife has had four kids, he should know better.

----------------------------

This week not much has changed. Im feeling really good. Im feeling the baby kick A LOT. He is always moving when I sit down. Its really fun for Cody to feel the baby kick, he loves it:)

Heres some pics of the growing belly, I feel like Im getting a stomach finally. It pocks out past my boobs.

Week 21

ITS A BOY!!!

We found out on Friday that we are going to have a baby boy! He is perfectly healthy as far as we can tell through the ultrasound.

The ultrasound was so different this time, it actually looked like a baby in there. Last time it was more like a little fish. She was able to check his heart, brain, spin, length, ect. Everything look perfect. He was SO WIGGLY, he would not hold still so it was hard for her to get some good pictures. But we got a few cute ones.

Cody and I were in charge of the Fall Festival for our ward on Friday. It was a lot of work but turned out really fun. There was over 250 people that came. We ate lots of food and the kids played lots of games.

I feel really good lately, I have a lot of energy. The only new thing now is I'm getting Charley horses in my calf in the middle of the night. They are offal.

I gain 7 POUNDS last month:) I know, its a lot for one month. I had to ask the nurse if her scale was broken because I don't think I weight that much. I'm hoping it was because this appointment was in the afternoon and I had just eaten lunch and had to drink 32 oz of water for my ultrasound. Or maybe the baby is growing nice and big.

I cant wait to go buy some clothes for this little boy!! I secretly really wanted a boy and I know Cody did too. Its great!

20 Weeks

HALF WAY THERE!! I can honestly say that this pregnancy is going by fast. To think that I am half way done is so exiting. I better get on the ball and start getting things ready I guess. My goal for this month will be to move the guest bedroom downstairs and start getting the nursery together.

Things that happen this week b/c of pregnancy-

* CODY FELT THE BABY KICK:) It was so neat. Earlier this week I had started feeling real kicks but I thought it was way to early for someone else to feel them.

We were laying in bed talking and my hands were resting on my belly and I felt the kick on my hand. SO I grabbed Cody's hand hoping the baby would kick again. IT DID:) He kick Cody's hand about 5 times. It was really exiting. Cody says the baby is saying,"Hey I'm in here guys!"

* My hair is growing like crazy, its finally getting long again.

* This is gross. I'm sorry if anyone reads this, but I really don't want to pick and choose only the good things that are happening to me. But anyways... Last week after I got done working out I noticed that my boob was leaking. Kind of freaked me out. I have read its completely normal to have leaking breasts. I still think its pretty gross. I better get use to it, Im sure I will have to deal with a lot more leaking once the baby comes.

*Im very tearful lately. Its so wierd. Im no where near sad during the day but the silliest things are making me cry. The milk leaked in the back of the car when I was taking groceries home. I cried.... When watching TV. I cry.... I forgot to get cereal at the store. I cried... I can wait for hormones to level out.

I think thats all the new things that have happened.

We get to find out what we are having this Friday!!! I can not wait!! Im convinced its going to be a little boy, I will be shocked if they say girl.

19 weeks

This week has been full of reading. I have been doing a lot of studying on Labor and Delivery. And after everything I've read I really really want to have this kiddo at home. I know most people think its crazy. But it seems so much better than a hospital to me. Ive been trying to get Cody to like the idea of this but he is more for the hospital rought at least for the first kid he said. I really like my doctor, but the fact is I may not even have him for my labor. It all depends on the day. But maybe on baby #2 we will do a home birth for now we will do the hospital.

-The scariest thing happened friday night, when I went to get up to go the the bathroom. I sat up and it felt like a knife was jabbing me in the side of my stomach. It hurt so bad. When I tried to get up again it happened again. Cody had to pick me up so I wouldn't use my stomach muscles. The next morning it was gone. So Im guessing it was just pulling a muscle or something like that.

We get to find out what we are having next week, Im so exited for this appointment! I want to know what you guys think it going to be.