Olivia's Birth StoryWe welcomed Elliott Kenneth Bucks into the world Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007 at 11:40 p.m. He was 3 lbs. 14 oz, 18 inches long at birth. He was born at 30 weeks, so he is now spending time in the NICU at OHSU, and therefore so are we. He is doing very well, it is mostly a matter of time and letting him develop everything he would have had he been able to stay in the womb longer.
He is breathing on his own and is getting increases in his food, which he is tolerating very well. I'm able to provide all the breastmilk he needs so far, so he hasn't had formula since his second day. He does have other food supplements though that give him additional nutrients and help beef him up.
We are told he may stay in the NICU unit for just 4-5 weeks if he keeps doing as well as he is. Usually parents are told to shoot for the baby's due date which was Jan. 6.
It was a spontaneous birth, my water broke at 1:30 in the afternoon. We labored with a small amount of Pitocin to keep labor moving along, but were able to deliver him without painkillers. The doctors wanted to keep labor going and wanted him to come out quickly due to a suspected infection (my belly was sore to the touch, a sign of infection). He was alert and hollered out a couple of times immediately after he was born. We labored for 10 hours, pushed for 10 minutes.
We're so proud of our little one and so thankful for all the love and support that everyone has poured out to us. Thank you.