Friday, September 24, 2010

Welcome Callum Ryan Moses Schweain!!!






The last two days have been an absolute whirlwind! I can hardly believe I'm sitting here writing about the birth of our son. Callum Ryan Moses was born Wednesday, September 22nd at 6:38 pm! He weighed 6.5 lbs and was 20 inches. I'm so excited to write and share the details and great news, BUT the best part of all is that he is perfectly healthy! He came out crying immediately, showing off his strong lungs- the lungs that doctors weren't sure would be formed because of the period of time he went without adequate amniotic fluid.

Wednesday began like any other "normal" hospital day. I began the daily monitoring session which usually only takes about 20-30 minutes. But, that day, after barely 10 minutes, my nurse came back into the room and gave me some juice to drink. She said she thought he must just be a little sleepy, and needed a little boost. He was having some decels or dips in the heart rate that they normally don't see, as he is usually very reactive, passing his "test" right away. I wasn't too worried, but this was definitely new. Over the next hour and a half I began to grow a bit more nervous as she'd come back in and have me change positions, letting me know they just wanted to watch a little longer. After over and hour and a half a resident came in and told me that they would be transferring me to labor and delivery to be monitored for a few more hours, and that they could very well send me back, BUT this could be an indication that it might be "time". And here we thought thought it would still be 5 more days... he has never stopped keeping us guessing! The monitoring in labor and delivery continued to show the dips which led them to check his position and investigate what my cervix was doing. He was head down and my cervix was softening and about 1.5 cm, and they felt I could be in early labor. They told me the decels were likely an indication that he might do better at this point on the "outside", and they wanted to begin induction. So, before I knew it, I was calling Ryan saying, "You definitely need to get here. He's coming today!" They started me on pitocin and "real" contractions started right away, but unfortunately the decels were happening after every contraction and were becoming more concerning as the pitocin was increased and contractions strengthened. They explained them as "late decels" which usually means that the placenta is being stressed, in turn causing stress to him. They were worried about how he'd handle harder labor as we had only just begun. I have since found out that the placenta was really small and in an odd place. One of the doctors told me today that they were really amazed at how he was able to grow and develop so well considering it's size...(on top of everything else, just another detail making his story so amazing.)

As much as I was hoping to avoid a c-section, I knew the doctors truly wanted to help us achieve a VBAC, and I was confident that they weren't advising the c-section casually. Ryan and I had time to adjust and be excited and thankful that we were about to meet our baby. It was a MUCH different experience for us this time. I was actually awake and Ryan was with me. We were able to hear his first cries, (the most beautiful sound), meet him together, and Ryan was able to take pictures and cut the chord.

We have enjoyed every minute with him since, and the high hasn't begun to wear off. Stella is completely in love with her baby brother. She holds him and sings to him, and tells him how much she loves him. Like every parent, I've already spent hours staring at him, taking him in, feeling like my heart could burst from all the love and thankfulness I feel. We just can't express enough how much your prayers have meant to us, how they comforted, strengthened and carried us. What a story we have to tell him! What a testimony his life is! Thank you for sharing this life changing experience with us, and all the fears, concerns, hopes, and joys that were a part of it. Thank you for praying with us and for us, for believing in our sweet Callum and rejoicing in his survival!

About his name:
Callum is a variant of the Latin word for dove, Ryan is of course is in honor of his Daddy, and Moses means "Saved from the Water."

With love,
Kristin, Ryan, Stella and Baby Callum

8 comments:

  1. As a long-time ZOEgirl fan, I've been following your blog, and checked it SEVERAL times a day. I'm so excited to see that he's here finally, and healthy. God truly had His hand on you Kristin, and Callum.

    I've been praying for you the last several months, and I'm sure you are MORE than ready to bring that precious baby boy home, and get out of that hospital bed! :)

    Love,

    Michelle

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  2. I can't wait to meet him!! Love you all so much.

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  3. Amazing.....wow....your rock! Love this update- my favorite of all :) Can't wait to see Callum and and you all! Congrats again!

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  4. What an AMAZING Miracle!!!! God has some BIG plans for that little guy!! we are so excited for you guys....hope to meet him soon!! Love you all!!

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  5. Congratulations, Ryan and Krissy. I've praised God several times since hearing the news. What an amazing miracle baby! You have been a testament of faith in God's promises and goodness through the highs and lows of it all. Praying for God's continued mercy in Callum's life and yours.

    Much love,
    Rachel

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  6. Hey Krissy! I ran into Fern the other day at Target and she told me the great news. Congratulations!! I'm so incredibly happy for you and your family.

    Love you and would love to see you guys again!
    kate

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  7. I am so so so thrilled to see that face!! There is the fruition of your faith and God's power and grace and love. Callum is incredible, and I've already been able to encourage people to continue on in faith with his story.

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  8. I am Sooooooooooo happy for you all! Life doesn't get any better than this! Callum is beautiful and Stella looks just like you! I love that you chose Moses-"saved from the water". Always the poet you are....God bless you all richly, betsy

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