Matthew David Ridges

Since I'm a terribly inconsistent blogger I don't put too many of the day to day details and kind of stick to the highlights.  Probably because most of the day to day stuff involves me being uncomfortably pregnant.  This little boy sure gave me a run for my money.  I've had contractions for a month or so now with Braxton Hicks contractions that had me wondering on many occasions if I should be heading to the hospital- we did, in fact, go once in November to be sent home.  I blame Ben for being born less than an hour after we got to the hospital.  It was mentally and physically exhausting.
Thankfully my doctor had pity on my mental agony and stripped my membranes Monday the 12th.  I was at about a 3 1/2 and then 4 1/2 after he stripped my membranes. 
I spent the day wondering if it would work and trying to stay on top of household responsibilities. Did a little grocery shopping, etc.  For FHE that night we did a little sub for santa shopping and also stopped at Allen's for some sale items and then we did our Christmas scripture advent calendar. By the time we got done I felt like we needed to get the kids in bed so we could go to the hospital- the contractions were getting pretty painful. 

I was really just not sure if it was real labor or just side effects of stripping membranes so I called the hospital and they said to drink 32 oz of water and take a warm bath over the next hour and see if the contractions lessened. Well, they did lessen while I was in the bath but as soon as I got out they were back so around 10:30 Dave and Janette came over and we headed for the hospital.

We were admitted and finally got hooked up. I was at about a 5-6. I was very relieved when the nurse said we weren't going home without a baby and I was thankful the guessing game was over. 

I was able to get an epidural after we'd been there a little while and I was very thankful for that, as well, especially since it took a little while for this little guy to descend. 

After I had the epidural they broke my water and we waited. After some trouble with the contraction monitor we finally pushed out a baby through about 4 contractions at 4:10am. I was very thankful we went to the hospital when we did and that the delivery went as smoothly as it did. 

Matthew David was born on December 13th and weighed 7 lbs 6 oz and was 19 inches long. Jared cut the cord and they put him on my chest but it wasn't very long before I thought he was starting to look a little purple and sure enough they had to get a respiratory specialist and took him to the nursery. Once again we had to have a baby in their little NICU. Very similar experience to Ben- except Matthew had a C-pap as well as fluid in the lungs and antibiotics that they started him on. I wasn't actually able to hold him the first time I made it to the nursery around 8:00 am, but thankfully he didn't need to be on the c-pap very long. 

I was able to try to nurse later that evening but he was still hooked up to monitors while they waited for test results. Wasn't very successful at getting him to eat the first time around, but by the second time he did really well. 

I was "discharged" from the hospital last evening and put on guest status- unfortunately no  meals anymore, but at least I still get a nice place to be close to my baby.

Test results came back well and we were able to get discharged this afternoon. 

Jared picked my mom up from the airport and then took her to the house before coming to get me and Matthew from the hospital. Pretty perfect timing and I'm so beyond thankful to have her here. 

Ben and Caroline are both pretty excited to have him here and it's really cute to see them interact. 

Dave and Janette provided dinner and were able to meet Matthew.  

So so blessed to have him here and healthy.