kaden's birth story

an experience to remember forever...on tuesday, august 4, i had my 38 week appointment with my doctor, thinking it could possibly be my last. my friend lauri offered to watch kyri so that kevin could to go with me and we could go on a dinner-date afterwords. at my appointment, dr. scates informed me that i was 2-centimeters dilated and fully effaced...meaning labor would begin any day. i had been having contractions all day, just nothing consistent. we went to chevy's for dinner, hoping spicy mexican food would get things going. after dinner, we stopped for ice cream (totally necessary) before picking up kyri. at that point, my contractions were about every 10 minutes. we got kyri home, put her to bed, put the baby carseat in the car, and finished packing our bags. little did we know...our birth experience was about to begin!

we finally went to bed at 11:00 pm. i knew i needed to get some rest because this could be a long night. i woke up at 12:45 am to very intense, painful contractions. oh boy! i asked kev to time them, and they were three minutes apart. THREE MINUTES! this was it. kaden was on his way. kevin called my mom so she would be here in time for the birth. he then called kerri to come pick up kyri...she was going to sleep over at her house while we were at the hospital. it was very emotional saying goodbye to kyri. pretty soon she wasn't going to be my baby anymore and i was just overcome with love for my girl. by then, my contractions were extremely painful and i had to really focus on breathing through each one. i took a shower and got myself ready between each contraction...not an easy task. kevin was there to rub my back and keep me focused. i wanted to labor at home as long as possible, to be more comfortable. squatting and being on all-fours were the best positions for me to get through the pain, so that's what i did. my mom arrived at our house around 4:00 am and at that point, they were every 2 minutes. seeing the pain i was in, she said, "it's time we go to the hospital." i didn't want to wait too long and have this baby in the car! we loaded up the car and headed to sutter roseville. kevin called our friend angela, who was going to be at the birth to take photos and to support me through the birth. at 4:30 am, she was already up and ready to go! the contractions in the car were awful...worst position ever to be in when having a contraction. just get me to the hospital NOW!

we arrived at the hospital at 4:45 am. i couldn't even make it from the car to the entrance without another contraction. they were coming on strong. we signed in, which was oh so lovely when in so much pain. then they put me in the room where they make sure you are in labor. really?! could they not tell by how strong and fast my contractions were coming? so annoying. they hooked me up and asked me a million questions, while i'm lying on the bed, miserable because lying on your back is so awful when you are in labor. they checked me and i was a six! woohooo! let's have this baby! i finally got to go to my room and labor in the positions that were most comfortable for me. they did have to give me an i.v. port just in case of an emergency and put me on the heart monitors. i just wanted to squat, while holding onto kevin's neck. it was the only way to help relieve the immense pressure. less than an hour later, the nurse checked me and i was an eight. i was in transition and kaden would be here any minute! angela couldn't believe i was talking in between contractions, like it was no big deal, while in transition...the most difficult part of active labor. i really focused on my breathing and i also had the support of my amazing husband. he did such a beyond wonderful job of keeping me calm and focused. my mom was a great encouragement as well. i am so thankful she was there.

at 6:30 am, they had me get back on the bed to check me. i was at a nine and i suddenly had the intense urge to push. kaden was coming and there was no stopping him! my water broke and that is when i felt like i was going to die. literally. kill me now. i never asked for any drugs, i knew i could do this. i was so tired at that point...my body was exhausted. i never imaged it was going to be this hard and that it would happen so fast. everyone kept telling me how amazing i was doing and that is what got me through each contraction and each push. angela prayed over me and i really felt God's peace. i kept saying "i'm sorry" to the doctor when i would scream, but i just couldn't help it. how else do you cope with this horrendous pain?! kevin reminded me to breath and was right by my side the entire time. my doctor didn't get to deliver kaden, but the doctor i had was awesome. she kept me focused and coached me through each push. with kevin on one side and my mom and angela on the other, i was determined to get this baby out! i just wanted to see his precious face. that was my focus. after the most intense 6 hours of my life, with 20 minutes of pushing with every bit of strength i had, kaden was here. was it worth it? a thousand times...yes.

kaden micheal hornacek was born on wednesday, august 5, 2009 at 6:54 am. he weighed 7 lbs. and 1 oz. and was 20 inches long. a head full of dark brown hair. oh so perfect. they put him on my chest and there he stayed. i was instantly in love with this little boy. he looks so much like his big sister, kyri. i kept thinking, "i can't believe i just did that. did i really just have a natural birth? i must be nuts!" i really did have the birth that i had dreamed of...and more. amazing in every way. i love thinking about my beautiful birth experience...full of indescribable emotions and so rewarding. i am so grateful for every ounce of pain i endured because it brought us our beautiful baby boy. thank you you, Jesus, for the miracle of life. thank you for our beautiful son, kaden michael.

i could not have done it without you, my love.

each contraction brought us closer to meeting baby kaden.

such a beautiful image.

the love and touch of a mother.

the first time we laid eyes on our son.

so happy together.

7 lbs. 1 oz. of love.

hi daddy!

nana...in awe of our little miracle.

sweet, sweet boy.

thank you, angela, for capturing the most precious moments of kaden's birth. memories we will cherish forever.