"Every good and perfect gift comes from above.." -James 1:17
Jaxon's Birth Story
Three days after Jaxon's due date (Friday August 2nd) we went to our final appointment knowing that if he didn't come before we could head to the hospital August 5th to start a nighttime induction and meet Jaxon on the 6th. We left our appointment 100% effaced, Jax was low but still not dilated. Our doctor just said see you on Monday. Over the weekend I started having contractions timing them as close as 5 minutes apart, but nothing ever stuck. I knew I had to be dilating though and hoped it was enough to skip some of the induction techniques at the hospital. Monday night came (August 5th) and we packed the car and made our 20 minute drive to the hospital knowing life would never be the same and the next time we pulled up to the house it would be with our baby boy. We couldn't wait! We got all checked in and settled in our room before my Dr. came in around 11 pm to check everything out. They were ready to insert cervidil to start the induction unless I was 3cm dilated then she was going to break my water. Fortunately, I was 3 cm so she broke my water and everything officially started! We were filled with excitement and emotions and couldn't believe we were hours away from meeting him. Jared and I called our families with the update and about 15 minutes later my contractions started coming. I was happy my body responded so well to the water breaking and was ready to get this going. First contraction came and lasted a minute and then stopped. Less than a minute went by and I had a smaller 20 second contraction. About a minute later, I had another contraction lasting a minute. I was surprised to be getting them back to back and after this went on for a bit I called the nurse in to make sure I wasn't just being a weenie with the pain and that I was actually getting all of these with no rest in between. She confirmed what I was feeling and was surprised they were already on top of each other the way they were. We all felt if this kept up we would be meeting Jaxon early that morning. After about an hour and half of constant contractions I decided to get the epidural. This helped me relax and get through the night. Jared and I tried to just rest as best as we could.
I got checked on regularly through the night and soon we made it to 4 and half cm feeling good about moving along. They called my Dr to come and sleep at the hospital because it was looking like Jaxon would be coming by early morning. My contractions continued to be on top of each other, but I was not moving past 4 1/2 after couple hours. They tried to slow my contractions down to be able to start a small dosage of pitocin to help me dilate. It took a little while, but a window opened where they could add some pitocin and immediately after the contractions started right back up the way they were. I was really starting to feel these as I had two pockets on the left side where the epidural never stuck. They had me on oxygen most of the night and were starting to worry about Jaxon getting too stressed from not getting any rest from the contractions either. My Dr. was back to check on me around 8 or so and just said she hoped I had progressed more when she came back after lunch. 10am rolls around and I am still at 4 1/2. We had discussed possibility of C-section if we continued to stay at this point and it would be the Dr's call when she came back. A couple hours later, I started to feel a ton of pressure and called them to come in and check me because it felt like I was getting close to needing to push. Well, I had progressed to a 6/7 which was good news and Jaxon was just so low. It was about noon and it was really starting to hit me how exhausted I was after more than 12 hours of labor and just lack of sleep. I started to get really emotional and was in pain on the left side and just needed an answer if we were going to do a C-section or not. Jared just sat there rubbing my back and I just tried to stay calm and wait for my Dr. She came in around 115 and I have never been so happy to see her. She checked me and I was still at 6/7. After 14 and a half hours of labor and constant contractions my body hit a point and was just not going any further. We could have waited it out, but that was not the safest or healthiest option for both Jaxon and myself. It turns out all the pressure I was having was Jaxon trying to make his way out before I was at 10cm. This is why he had such a cone head at birth ;) At about 130 my Dr. called a C-section. I cried like a baby for a few minutes while Jared called our parents and then had to pull myself together. My doctor (who I absolutely love) was so amazing prepping me and the nurses were great. They quickly got us ready, wheeled me out right down the hall and we were on our way to meet our little boy. Jared was dressed in scrubs and waited for a few minutes outside the operating room while they got me ready and about 10 minutes later they had started. I could feel the tugging and pulling sensations and didn't realize that just a few short minutes later we were about to hear the greatest sound ever. It was so fast! At 2:29 pm Tuesday August 6th we heard Jaxon's cry and he was here!!! From the time I left my room to the time he was born it was less than an hour.
They took Jaxon across the room to weigh him and measure and check him out...all healthy!! Jared stood right by him and I just laid staring at him asking all sorts of questions about his weight, eyes, hair etc etc. They brought Jaxon over to me just a few minutes later and I got to hold our sweet boy for the first time kissing and talking to him while Jared hugged on us. It was the first moment as a family of 3 and by far the greatest moment in our life so far. They let Jared and Jaxon stay in the room as long as possible because I had cried earlier about them leaving me in there and then they handed Jaxon over to Jared to carry out of the operating room and down the hall back to our room. Both our parents were waiting by our room and were surprised to look up and see Jared carrying him back to the room. I am sure Jared has never been so proud to hold him and show off his son for the first time. It only took about 20 minutes to get me sewed up and cleaned up and they were wheeling me back to my room and my perfect little family.
Jared and I spent the next hour bonding with Jaxon, feeding him and loving on him. It was the most special, intimate hour as a family and everything we had been waiting for was finally right there happening. Jaxon was here and he was beyond perfect! We had never seen anything so beautiful. He snuggled and looked in our eyes and our hearts felt so complete. Our precious, healthy baby boy had arrived and life was never going to be the same. It was going to be better than we ever could have imagined. Every part of the labor and delivery was perfect. It did not go how I planned or expected, but it was perfect. God is SO gracious and SO good. I am so thankful for a healthy and beautiful pregnancy, labor and delivery and of course for a perfect, healthy baby boy.
Jaxon Jeffery Hawkins
August 6th, 2013
2:29 pm
9lbs 5oz, 21 1/4 inches long
We have adjusted to life at home with him and are having the best time watching him change and grow. He smiles all the time and accidentally giggles in his sleep. He stares right at us when we read to him, he follows toys with his eyes
Thank you to EVERYONE for your constant prayer and love throughout our entire pregnancy and now beyond labor and delivery. Jaxon is so blessed to have so many people that love and care about him! We can't wait for you to meet him!
