Matthew's Birth Story

On Saturday 6/19, Erik and I were in the basement watching Sherlock Holmes when I needed to take my obligatory bathroom break in the middle (at around 10:30pm). I stood up and water gushed everywhere.

We never finished watching the movie.

We called Tim and Jen to watch the girls. Jen came immediately and picked them up with their car seats while Erik and I headed off to the hospital. They were watching a movie too but they actually finished their movie.

At the hospital a nurse determined that my water indeed had broken and I was taken to labor and delivery. We were having the baby!!

My contractions started getting worse but it took awhile (not until around midnight). Then at 1:30 I got my epidural which was nice. I was just laying there waiting to push when I remembered that I really don't like labor.

At around 3:30 the doctor, Todd Jenkins, came to visit me. I've never met him but he is part of the practice I go to. He was great though and I'm glad he delivered the baby.

At around 3:45am the baby's heartrate had decelerated enough that they wanted me to push even though I thought it was a little early. Baby's heartrate was down to 112 which they said was too low. So I ended up pushing for awhile until the baby's head came out and the doctor said "stop pushing". I thought that was odd but I'm glad he didn't tell me in full detail or I might have freaked out. He was moving the baby's shoulders all around because the cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. Fortunately, he knew what to do! Then he said I could start pushing again. Before the baby came out the doctor said this would be a big baby - of course I said I don't have big babies :).

Finally, at 4:16am on June 20, 2010 Matthew Joseph Cooper was born! Happy Father's Day! Matthew means "God's gift" and he certainly is a gift to us. He weighed 8lbs 2oz and was 20.8" long with a wide head of 14.2". I couldn't believe I had an 8lb baby! Anyway he cried immediately and was fat and pink and cute. What a blessing!

Erik posted a picture on facebook right away (because he has an awesome phone) and I tried nursing him. He actually has a strong sucking reflex which I didn't have with the girls so it has been more successful nursing him. I think I can do it this time!!!

When Jen told the girls that they have a new baby brother she said "isn't that cool?". Jenna's response was "that's so not cool". Jenna wanted another sister and always drew pictures of the baby in Mommy's belly with a dress on. Hopefully she will accept Matthew.

We came home from the hospital yesterday and nursing was so successful that I got up with him myself all night long! Erik only got up once because Matthew was screaming his brains out and woke him up. Erik is happy that nursing is going well too since he can actually sleep :). Now for when I'll sleep....that's a different story.

We still have some challenges as it looks like Matthew has jaundice - just like Jenna and Sarah both did. However, we are a happy family of 5 now and when my feet stop swelling I'll be able to actually go outside :).

Just as with the girls we have a stuffed animal (a horse) and will be taking pictures every month of Matthew with the horse so we can see how he has grown.

Welcome Matthew!