Declan's fast arrival!

Quick Stats:
Born February 1, 2011 at 1:23am
8 lbs 6 oz
20 inches

Monday, January 31 I had my 37.5 week prenatal appt. I had been 1 cm dilated the week before and was hoping I was more at this appt. Dr. confirmed that I was now 2 cm dilated. I asked if he would strip my membranes, not really sure he would. However, he said "Sure. There isn't any proof that it does anything, but there isn't any proof that it doesn't." He told me to expect some cramping and spotting the rest of the day. Matt, Zander, McKay, Chase (he had just been to the DR for an ear infection), and I went and got some lunch. Then the boys and I headed to get the car washed and vacuumed. Then it was time to head home and put McKay down for a nap while I went and got my hair done and pick up Chase's prescription. I had some tightenings when walking to get the prescription, but they were just like the braxton hicks contractions I had been having for a while.

On the way home I called my mom and had a couple of tightenings while on the phone with her. Then I got dinner ready. When I sat down to eat I began having stronger tightenings that were 3 minutes apart, but once I stood up they became less painful and more than 10 minutes apart. We did our Monday night routine of FHE, scripture reading, and bedtime with not much going on in the contraction deptartment. So I decided to do some vacuuming and last minute cleaning and laundry. About 9pm I noticed some bloody show and tried not to get my hopes up becausae I knew that it could just be from the membrane sweep.

Around 10 or so the contractions were about 2-5 minutes apart, but not at all painful or uncomfortable. I decided that I should probably get my hospital bag packed just in case. At about 10:45 I called my mom to tell her what was going on, but I still wasn't completely convinced this was the real thing as my contractions were not consistent at all. She decided to head this way. Meanwhile, I had Matt go to bed shortly after 11pm so that he could be rested when/if it was time to go. I was watched a show I had on the DVR while I bounced on the ball and sqautted during contractions. Contractions were still all over the place at this point--2 mnutes, 5 minutes, 8 minutes, 2 minutes and were not terribly painful.

At about 12:30 am things changed...contractions got a bit stronger to the point where I decided I had better lay down to slow things down. I also felt some pressure on my tailbone, but didn't clue into what it meant. As soon as I layed down on the couch I felt baby change position and contractions began coming 1 minute apart. I called for Matt, but he couldn't hear me so I made my way into our bedroom and said "It is time to go NOW!!" while gripping onto the bed post (about 12:55am). Matt ran around like a crazy man gathering everything up to go.

We got loaded and up as we were leaving the house I called my mom to tell her we were headed to the hospital, and Matt called the hospital to let them know we were on our way (1:06am). I got a text from my mom saying they were in Bliss and I remember telling Matt that she might make it. However, after the next contraction I told him that they weren't going to make it and I was afraid we wouldn't either. Matt was driving like a crazy man....speeding down the streets with the hazard lights on. As we got into Burley I noticed a train and said "Oh No!! There's a train!!" I had to repeat it again before Matt realized what I was talking about. There is NO way to get around the trains that cross the main street in Burley so you just have to wait. I don't know how long we waited, but it seemed like forever. It finally passed and then Matt sped on to the hospital, running lights as he went.

We pulled into the emergency entrance behind the hospital. At the stop sign to the parking lot I felt my water break. I told Matt to call the hosptial and tell them that we were there and baby was here (1:21am). As he was on the phone I felt the all too familiar burning sensation and then his head was out. We pulled up to the entrance and two nurses came running out with a gurney. They ended up getting it stuck on the curb and had a hard time pushing it up over it. The DR came out and told me to get out of the car and onto the gurney. I told him that I couldn't because his head was out so they lifted me onto the gurney and rushed into the hall. They hurriedly took my boots and pants off and began to panic when they realized that he was in fact already here. The Dr quickly suctioned him and then delivered the rest of the body (1:23am).

Matt said that he was glad there was one L&D nurse there because the ER nurses had no clue what to do. They said I was in shock because I was shaking so bad and the L&D nurse let them know that it was normal. He also said that a hispanic lady came out and told the Dr that her son was in pain and that they needed to take care of him. The Dr told her to go back because they had a real emergency. I was able to hold Declan for a second right after he was born, but then he was taken down to L&D where he was weighed, measured, etc. While I was wheeled to L&D Matt went out to close the doors and shut off the car because it was still running.

Declan was having a hard time with his breathing due to how quickly he was born so they suctioned out his belly and then had him under the CPAP for 30 minutes after he was born. We were able to hold him about an hour and half after he was born, but by then he had no interest in trying to eat. :( We spent two days in hospital because I tested GBS positive and didn't get the antibiotics before he was born. He was also having a hard time maintaining his blood sugar levels. Poor liitle guy had to have his heel poked every 3-6 hours. It was terrible.

All in all it was a great birth and I am happy that I was able to labor at home. I am so grateful that we didn't have a longer drive to the hospital and even more thankful that little Declan is okay. We are so happy to have him in our home. He is such a sweet addition to our family.