Camden Steven

Born December 2019 at 0055

Due January 11, 2020

Weighed 4lbs 15oz

17.7 inches long

Honestly, everything happened so fast that I have a hard time remembering everything, but I will do my best!

Camden is our first baby. The pregnancy itself, went very smoothly. I had been working full time as a nurse aid in a nursing home throughout my pregnancy. I was scheduled to work two more days the week after Cam was born and then I was going to go on maternity leave. I did not make it to those days. Wednesday morning, December 11, I woke up around seven in the morning with some very light cramping. After using the restroom, I discovered that that I had lost some of my mucus plug so I texted Jen to ask if that was normal. I was at the time four and a half weeks away from my due date still. After a few texts back and forth, we determined that it was nothing to be alarmed about and I would just continue my day as usual. The cramping I was experiencing was very light and I thought that I was just starting to feel the braxton hicks since my due date was getting closer.

Around 1115 I left to go babysit a one year old and four year old that I babysat two days a week. I was still experiencing the cramping but it was still very light and very irregular. I was not timing them at this point.

I got home from babysitting around 1630 or so. After making and eating dinner with my husband. He was scheduled to take three finals for his college classes the next day and was studying diligently for them.

I was feeling a little tired so I decided to take a short nap before heading to church. I had volunteered to assist the youngest group of children with their Christmas party. The children ranged in age from 4 to 7 with the teacher's 2 year old added to the mix.

After an hour nap, I headed to church. I was feeling pretty good still. The what I now know were contractions were still very light and far apart. As the evening progressed, the cramping started getting closer together and a little more uncomfortable, but I was chasing naughty little boys around, so I thought it was just the movement that was making me so uncomfortable. After church was over, I went to the bathroom before heading home and noticed that I had lost more mucus plug.

As I headed home, I called Jen to let her know that I lost more mucus plug and was getting some cramping. She told me to go home and go right to bed and drink lots of water. We thought this would slow and hopefully stop what she thought was early labor. I went home and climbed right in bed with a full water bottle. My husband was still studying. This was around 2130 or so. Just out of curiosity, I began to time the contractions and found them to be coming 2-3 minutes apart and lasting around 30 seconds.

After an hour, I texted Jen to let her know that the contractions were not slowing. She suggested I try a bath. I climbed in the tub and the contractions slowed to 5-7 minutes apart, but sped right back up after four contractions. When they sped back up, they went to 1.5 minutes apart and were lasting 30-45 seconds long. After trying the tub for a while, I messaged Jen again and she said we should go to get checked just to be safe. I slowly got ready to go. I didn't think it was necessary to hurry because I thought we would just go in, get checked and come home again. Silly me still thought it wasn't labor. When I was ready to go, we called Jen and she told us where to go and how to get in.

We left for the hospital around 0015 or so and arrived 15 minutes later. After waiting for the the gate to open for what seemed like an hour, we found parking and walked in. I had about three contractions on the way in. Of course it had to be one of the really cold nights. We got in and went over to triage and started registry. Jen met us there. I was still able to answer questions even through contractions. After getting registered, they took us to a room.

Pretty much as soon as we got to the room, my contractions started coming one right after another with not much of a break. They left us for me to get changed and on the bed. By this point I thought we might be having a baby that day but probably not for like 12 hours or something. I thought I was being a wimp with the contractions. I finally got changed and on the bed which took me a while because I did not want to be on the bed. The nurse, I think, came in and checked me. First she said all she felt was the bag of water and then a couple seconds later she said I was probably dilated to a 7 or 8. I was SHOCKED! After this its a little bit hazy for me. The next contraction my body started pushing. I know Camden's heart rate dropped a little so they put oxygen on me. They had to grab the closest doctor. My water was broken by the doctor and after a few pushes, Camden was born just 19 minutes after getting into the triage room. They checked my twice in that time and tried to get me up to labor and delivery, but Cam was in a hurry and we didn't make it. It was such a crazy day!

Now Camden is 3.5 months old and growing and learning like crazy! He is a very happy, smiley boy and I can't imagine life without him. It wasn't the birth story we were expecting, but ultimately Camden was born healthy and the delivery went very smoothly. Other than a little trouble nursing in the beginning and an hour under the warmer that first morning, he did not have any trouble being born so early! We are very thankful for our little bundle of joy. Sorry this turned out to be so long! I hope you enjoy reading our story and find encouragement from it.