Baby Evan Has Arrived!!

Evan Rick Jensen is here!!! Born at 32 weeks and 3 days. 4 pounds 3 ounces and 17 inches long. We are now grandparents!! Evan was due on August 21st and so it came as a concerning surprise when Ellen started having painful contractions and some bleeding last Tuesday, June 29. She called her doctor and was told to go to the hospital to get checked. They said that she had already dilated to 4 cm! They gave her some medicine to try and slow or stop the contractions and gave her a steroid shot to help speed up the development of Evan's lungs. They said that she would most likely have to stay in the hospital until she gave birth. Her contractions did slow down and become less painful, but they didn't stop. Rick was able to go over to the hospital around 1:00 so that he and Jase could give her a blessing. I was able to go over a couple of hours later after dropping off Jenna and her friend from dance. I visited with Jase and Ellen for a couple of hours before heading home to get dinner ready and prepare for Janelle's mission call opening, which would be later that night. Ellen's mom left South Jordan to head down to St. George and Jase slept over in the hospital room. 

The next day, on Wednesday, Ellen received her second steroid shot at 1:00 p.m. They wanted at least 24 hours to pass after the second shot before she gave birth, but she didn't make it that long. The next day, Thursday, July 1, we got a call about 7:30 in the morning saying that they checked Ellen and she was fully dilated to 10 cm! The baby had turned and was now breech and the cord was not where they wanted it to be for birth and so they would have to do an emergency c-section. They also found out that because of the small size and shape of her pelvis she will have to have c-sections for her future births.

Rick and I hurried over to the hospital. Jase had slept at their apartment last night since he hadn't been sleeping well at the hospital. Ellen's mom had come down from South Jordan on Tuesday evening and had stayed at the hospital and so she was already there. We were grateful that Jase made it in time for the birth!  We also made it to the hospital before he was born. He was born right at 8:00 a.m. We were even able to catch a sneak peek of the baby as they were wheeling him to the NICU. We took a video and some pictures. Because Evan came so early he will have to be in the NICU for several weeks. He is doing well though and his prognosis is good. We are praying that he grows and develops quickly! 

We waited in the room until they brought Ellen back and visited with her and her mom for a while. We are praying that she heals quickly from her c-section! We are so grateful for prayer -- and for modern medicine that allows a baby to be healthy, even when born two months early!!