Kober Family Blog 🏡

Welcome home Hansen!

On Sunday April 27th, I hit my due date. We went to church and I got to tell everyone who asked when my due date was that it was TODAY! Many responded with, “oh wow! I hope he comes soon.” And I agreed. But, we were thriving. Eddie and I were enjoying our last few days just the two of us at home by playing in the kitty pool and going on lots of walks.

On Tuesday the 29th, my mom (Grandma Nita) decided to just make the drive to be with us in case I started labor. She got here in the evening and I made us pesto chicken pasta for dinner. We hung out for a bit then all went to bed. I was sleeping in the recliner downstairs for the past month for my hips.

I woke up around 12:30am (Wednesday) with pain or Braxton hicks, then realized they were definitely contractions because they come like waves and kept coming back. I went to tell Jason, who said “Yayy” and promptly fell back asleep. I watched Princes Bride in the bed next to him until the contractions started getting more intense. Since I felt this was real labor, I texted my doula, Sierra, at exactly 1:30am.

At 3am I decided to rest. I told my mom, who was sleeping on the couch in the living room, that I was in labor. I sat in the recliner and listened to positive birth affirmations while tracking my contractions for an hour. It was a very peaceful time. The contractions were strong, but I felt stronger as I breathed through them telling myself, “surrender, release, and relief.” Those words helped me focus on relaxing instead of the intensity of the wave.

At 4am, I got Jason up by telling him this was the real deal and it’s time to pack the car. That got him up! He wanted to shower, which he did in record time, then he loaded the car up with our pre packed hospital bags.

At 4:08 I was texting Sierra that I wanted to labor at home as long as possible. In my mind that ment a few more hours. So, I showered and took my time. My mom got up and made me toast. I wore a white shirt with my purple pj pants- I felt fresh and ready. .

At 4:55 We decided it we better start driving. I was feeling the urge to push a little bit during contractions. This urge felt like I had to poop but couldn’t control when it came. That was a a big sign that we needed to go.

Right before we left, Jason had to get something from Eddie’s room which woke him. So we got to say goodbye to Eddie which was nice. My mom stayed with Eddie.

We drove to Baptist hospital during the sunrise and listed to peaceful Christian instrumental music. Every intense contraction I had I squeezed Jason hand. I mentioned to Jason that after all this time laboring I could still be only 3cm dilated.

We got all checked in and I changed into the gown while Jason grabbed the hospital bag. Sierra got there soon after we did. The nurse checked my dilation and I was at an 8cm!!! I was so relived and medicated to keep going.

My Dr, Dr. Lacy, was informed of my dilation and the nurse told me that she had her daughters graduation and would be leaving at 8am. It was 6:30am. so the option was to break my waters and potentially have a quicker labor with my Doctor or wait for baby to come in his own time and potentially deliver with someone else, Dr Paige. I did not know which to choose in that moment, and Sierra reminded me I could ask for some time to think about it, which I did. I ultimately decided to wait, but it didn’t matter what I chose bc when Dr Lacy came and check my dilated my waters broke! She probably broke them on accident. It was a lot of water, but I’m glad I held onto it for so long bc it made my contractions easier as it cushioned them.

Once waters broke, Dr Lacy had to leave, and it was time to work on getting this baby to move down my pelvis. Hansen was still high up. We changed positions every few contractions. My favorite was holding onto Jason’s neck and leaning on him.

Finally, I was a 10cm and was feeling pushy urges and Dr Paige asks me what’s stopping me from trying pushing. I say we can try, but in my mind I didn’t feel ready yet. Somehow I end up pushing on my back. But, I was pushing, for what felt like, a long time. Every contraction I bore down and gave pushes. As Hansen got closer, it got harder and I was afraid of the “ring of fire.” Dr Paige looked me in the eyes many times and reminded me to not be afraid. She coached me on where to push and when. It was helpful bc I was holding back a little.

Here’s a few memories during my pushing:

I said out loud “I can do this” after shaking my head no and saying I couldn’t.

I reached for baby’s head before he crowned, willing him to come out. I felt his slimy hair when he did crown.

I only could hear Jason and the drs voices, even though all the nurses were encouraging me. I reached out my hand with my eyes closed during one contraction and the nurse next to me grabbed it. That was nice.

Hanses head was out for a minute before the rest of him came. That was crazy.

Then, all of the sudden, Hansen was on my chest. Jason and I looked at him and touched him as if we needed proof he was really here. He let out a big beautiful cry. Dad cut the cord and the placenta came out! It was official. Hansen was it the world.