Kaya was due to be born on February 11th, 2008. Our Doctor suggested an induction starting February 17th if Kaya hadn't come on her own by then. Well, it seems as though she was perfectly content where she was because she didn't want to come out on her own!

We checked into the hospital on Sunday, February 17th at 6pm. Once we got settled, the nurses started the Prepadil, a gel that is inserted to help the cervix open up completely. I had 3 doses of the Prepadil, each 6 hours apart. After the gel, the next step was to start the Pitocin, which brings on contractions. They started the Pitocin at 12:30pm on the 18th. Miss Kaya wasn't budging so every few hours the nurses had to up the dosage! At this point, Mommy was only dilated to about 3 cm. I still hadn't had any drugs at this point. I wanted to wait as long as possible.

at 5:30pm on the 18th, the Dr. came in to check me. I was then dilated to 5cm, and he broke my water. After that the cotractions started coming harder and faster, so at 6:30 pm I asked for the epidural. Hubby was allowed in the room while they administered the epidural, which I was thankful for because it was scary! They poked me 3 times in the back! Once the Anesthesiologist was done, the pain instantly went away. Although I couldn't feel my legs, I was comfortable. During this whole time, Kaya's heart rate stayed at a steady, normal pace.

I started to dilated to 7cm and was told that it was possible for me to deliver around midnight or 1am. We all got so excited! I had hubby, my parents and hubby's parents in the room with me. They were all such wonderful support!

Unfortunately, I stayed at 7cm for hours and hours. At 5am on tuesday the 19th, the Dr. came in to check me. Still at 7cm! He said that if I wasn't progressing within an hour, that at 6am we were going to do a C-section.

6am came along and I got checked once again. I was so nervous because I was scared to have a C-section, and I was about to find out if I was going to be rushed to the operating room or not! Well, Kaya was listening to Mommy because I was then dilated to 9cm! Yay! no C-section required! Come 10am, my nurse Patti, who by the way made this delivery happen, told me to try and start pushing and see what happens. I thought it was a little weird, no Dr in the room and I was starting to push?

Patti was awesome because she kept me going when I didn't want to push anymore. I had hubby holding up my left leg and my mom at my right. Patti would cheer me on to push the best I could. It worked because after a few good pushes, hubby got to see the top of Kaya's head! It was amazing. She then told me to give her one more GOOD push and she would call the Dr in to get this baby out. I hadn't slept in days, and I don't know where the energy came to push. I think I just wanted this done!

The Dr came along with about 6 other staff. There was a lot of commotion and a lot of people cheering me on the push and push.

At 12:34pm, Kaya was born. Right before, they put a towel on my tummy. They said "this is for the baby". I was so out of it and worn out, next thing I knew, I gave one last push, and the Dr instantly set Kaya on the towel that was on my tummy. I can't explain the feeling you get when you see your baby for the first time, staring back at you. I was overwhelmed with emotion that I didn't know how to react. I just stared at my daughter laying on me, and the first thing I noticed was her dimples!!

She got all cleaned up and Daddy got to hold her while the Dr cared for me.

After 43 hours of intense, back labor, I got to hold my baby that we have waited so long for. After the miscarriages, it seemed like this day would never come!

Funny thing is, 5 weeks later I am STILL recovering. After all the pain I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. There isn't anything I would change because I made my delivery my very own special, unique experience that I will never forget.

One day, Kaya may even have a little brother or sister!

Born Tuesday, Feb. 19th at 12:34pm

8 lb. 12 oz., 20 1/2 inches long

February 15th (40.4):

We just got back from the NST and ultrasound. The fluid levels are still good, and the NST went great. The Dr. said little KC is doing just fine! My hubby asked the U/S tech how much Kaya weighs, and she responded "I was hoping you weren't going to ask me that...she weighs about 9 pounds, 9 ounces!" We both were like "WHOA! So she is READY!" Then the tech said that she tried to measure Kaya's femur bone to try and get an estimate on how long she might be, and she was unable to measure because the length was "off the charts"! My hubby said "thats my fault!" because he is 6'4" tall! We were just happy to hear she is healthy and doing great! The tech was thinking I may go into labor tomorrow. But if not, then I still report to the hospital sunday evening to start things!!

February 14th (40.3):

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! Well we just got back from the doctor and nothing has changed. My cervix is still not 100% effaced. Since I am 3 days over due, my Dr. is sending me to do an NST and ultrasound tomorrow. If everything is good, I check in to the hospital sunday night at 6pm. The Dr will then start inserting the gel every 6 hours that helps ripen my cervix. Then, first thing monday morning he will start the Pitocin.

My Dr. did say that there is a high chance I will go into labor on my own before sunday night. But if not, at least we have a date set! He said my little girl wanted to be fashionably late which is cute because we call her the Supermodel since she poses in all her pictures!!

February 12th (40.1):

NO BABY YET!!!!!!! I'm getting impatient and just want to get this done so I can hold her. At least in 2 days we will have an induction date, if she isn't here by then. But I know FOR SURE I will get to hold her in my arms no later then the 18th!!

February 10th (39.9):

Well, tomorrow is my due date and no baby. We are really hoping she comes on her own before Valentine's Day, that way she will be our special delivery, very special valentine. I've had some contractions and hubby and I have been going for walks everyday. Come on Kaya, we want to meet you!!! Come out and play!!!

February 7th (39.3):

Went for another check up today, nothing new =(. The Dr. said most 1st time babies are 2-4 days late. My next check up is on the 14th, and if I don't have my baby by then he will induce. Luckily he won't go more then a week past my due date, so FOR SURE she will be here by the 18TH! I just wish it were sooner...

January 31st (38.3):

Well, we just got back from our checkup, and I am 80% effaced with no dilation. The Dr. said although she could come tomorrow, we still most likely have a few weeks left. Funny thing though, during the exam he said he could feel her head! We thought that was pretty funny. My next appt is Feb 7th, 4 days before my EDD. We are just so excited to meet her!!

January 23rd (37.2):

Had another check-up today, no pelvic exam though. The doctor didn't seem too concerned with my baby coming in the next week! He checked her positioning again, and the results of my Strep B test were negative. We heard her heartbeat like usual, and it was just thumping away!! I just can't wait to meet our little girl. Everyday my hubby leaves for work he says "Let me know if we are having a baby today". Luckily he can get home quick if i needed him! My next appointment is on the 31st and the Dr will do a pelvic exam then. I hope at that time there is news of her coming soon!!

January 17th (36.3):

I had my final ultrasound today, and babygirl is for sure head down. The tech says she weighs about 7 pounds!! What a healthy little girl. We think she will be long too because daddy is 6 feet 4 inches tall. My next check up is on the 23rd, we'll see what the Dr. says about her ultrasound results!

January 16th (36.2):

I just got home from my Dr. appointment. He did my Strep B test, and also checked for positioning. The baby is head down!!! I am so happy because for a while I had a feeling she wouldn't turn because she likes to crawl up to my right rib and snuggle up and fall asleep. Tomorrow we go for an ultrasound to check fluid levels and to confirm she is head down. Its getting so close, I can't wait to meet my princess!! I just had my shower on the 12th and baby girl got EVERYTHING. There were about 38 close friends and family, her cake was beautiful. Ladies really love to shop for girls! She got a ton of girly stuff, all pink and some purple. The clothes are sooo cute, and all my friends and family said they over bought for her. They were right, I had her nursery all done and neat, and now her crib is FULL of new clothes and blankets that I washed! But that just shows how much she is loved!