Claire Layton

Claire was born on Saturday morning, March 20th, 2010.

Let me begin with earlier that week....

Kent was out of town and returned home late Thursday night. Which meant that I was flying solo most of the week. Friday we had Dr. appointment to check the growth of the baby. The ultrasound showed that she hadn't grown very much during the past few weeks. I was also dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced. The Dr. sent me for a non-stress test at the hospital (this is to make sure the baby isn't stressed in any way). Claire was doing great, I however had very elevated blood pressure (150-160's/ 100-110's). At this point I just had to laugh to myself, of course I have elevated blood pressure, my husband has been out of town. The Dr. decided I would stay at the hospital for 24 hours to monitor my BP and do a urine test to see if it was positive for protein. This meant I wouldn't be going home until 5pm on Saturday. I was very disappointed. Saturday was our anniversary and we had plans to go on one last date before the baby came.

The Dr.'s were trying to decide if they should send me home on bed rest until Thursday when I would be 37 weeks or if they should just induce me (I had mild preeclamsia but I guess when you add a small baby, mild preeclamsia=severe preeclampsia). At around 3am on Saturday I started having contractions and by 5am I was dilated to a 5 and progressing. That made the decision easy for the Dr.'s. Claire was coming on her own. (I found out that my urine was 4+ for protein, 3+ is bad. So they would have induced me anyhow).

Needless to say, Claire was born at 9:31am on Saturday. I was shocked. I really didn't think she would come for at least 2 more weeks. I hadn't packed a thing or even gotten her room ready. We even had to go and buy diapers on the way home-that is how unprepared I was.

Claire was 4# 11oz and 17 1/2 inches long. She was 36.2 weeks, so she was the earliest baby we have had. (Lily was 37.1 weeks 4#10oz and 15 inches long). Claire was perfectly healthy. No respitory problems, only temperature issues and blood sugar issues which is normal for a baby that early and small. She was in the "Special Care" nursery for both days, but we were able to bring her home from the hospital with us and she is doing great! I was so grateful Kent wasn't out of town any longer (he was back home for about 36 hours before she was born). And I got a baby on my anniversary! We are both doing well. I just hope I can adjust to being a mother of 3!