Daniel

July 7th! What a shocker and surprise. I had my monthly Dr check-up at 9:50. James and I slept in until 9:30 and barely made it on time. My check-up went great. The nurse even said, "you're making this way too easy on us." Me and my anti-climactic pregnancies... so I thought. She asked if I had been having any contractions and I said "Nope. I'm feeling great." As I look back, I guess I was having a few, but I thought it was just the weight of our little guy starting to take it's toll on the body. I wasn't hurting or feeling any stress by any means.

At 11:00 I dropped James off at the rec center day care and went for a 20-25 min swim. I felt great! I did my normal dive entrance, a few laps of kicking (I felt that a little), a lap of butterfly, and most flip turns--though those have been a little uncomfortable this week but I figured that it was because my belly was sort of in the way.

Well, I picked James up at 11:30, we enjoyed our mom and tot class, swam and played in the water for another 15 minutes, took a good shower and came home. I had a huge lunch, including 3 no-bake cookies from the batch I made last night (and ate way too many of considering the events of the following 24 hours). I was feeling a little uncomfortable but thought I just had to poo.

At 2 James and I went down for a nap. I was definitely having contractions at this time but didn't think much of it. After about 45 min of my mind racing and some discomfort I fell asleep until 4 when James woke up. At this time the contractions were stronger and very consistent. They were coming every 5 minutes and last for 45-50 seconds. Still, considering I was only 32 6/7ths--so 33 weeks, I didn't think too much about it. Finally, at 4:30 I left a message for my nurse informing her that I was having regular contractions (which all felt way too similar to when I went into labor with James). She called back and told me to go to the Labor and Delivery unit at the hospital. I thought this seemed like a bit much but figured that it was close to 5 and they were getting ready to go home.

So, I got James dressed. I got myself dressed. I pulled out and set by the bedroom door a few things I would want in case I stayed over night, for a few days, or if chance had it, even had the baby. Finally, we pulled out of the driveway and headed to the hospital. I called Mike asking if he could meet me there to take care of James. During this 15 min drive I had 3 pretty strong and uncomfortable contractions.

Mike and I arrived at the same time and headed in together. They took me into a room, had me change, and checked me. I was a 4.

Luckily the doctor I wanted to have this entire pregnancy but didn't get because I was already booked was on call for the night. He talked to nurse and told her to slow down and try to stop the labor. I was given some different medications which slowed down and lessened the contractions. Mike drove James to the Stimpson's house and came back. Around that time my contractions were coming back with a vengeance. The plan was to try to stop the labor for at least 24-48 hours but preferrably for a few weeks. They gave me more medication which unf0rtunately did nothing. Within the hour Mike gave me a blessing, I was hit with majorly painful contractions, had reached a 6+ in diameter, they gave me an epidural and by 7 pm I was admitted for delivery. The NICU team from another hospital was notified and on their way.

Laura, my L&D nurse took me into the c-section room, which is a place I'd rather never be again. They moved me to this room because it's quite a bit bigger than the delivery rooms. Dr. Jones was in and out monitoring and checking me. The teams and room were in place by 9. I pushed through 3 contractions--about 10 x 10 seconds in all. And, out came our little preemie.

Daniel Stewart
July 7, 2009
9:22 pm
5 pounds 6 ounces
18 1/2 inches

Furry and fuzzy with light blonde hair. Looks a ton like baby Jamesies. Cute as ever and doing well. The NICU team had him for an hour. Once he was in the incubator and on the portable hospital cart, he was brought in to see us. My mom and Mike's dad were both there with us and got to see him as well. Mike and grandpa Ball gave him and blessing, I got to touch his little hand and fuzzy head, and they were on their way.

Apgar was 7 then 8. On ventilator/ respirator for the drive to Provo. Taken off that and put onto CPAP until 9am on Wednesday the 8th. I stayed in the hospital until 7 pm and from there Mike and I drove to see baby Daniel. I got to hold him for over an hour. He is absolutely precious and we are so in love with him.