Ethan Alexander's Birthday

After two days of trying to convince Junior he needed to wait to see the world he decided to see the world too early.

I started having contractions around 7pm Saturday night. The doctors did everything they could to stop them but the more they tried the worse they got.

Ethan Alexander Minyard was born alive at 1:10 am on Sunday Morning. I was able to hold him for a brief little while before the doctor started working on me and I gave Ethan to his daddy. Scott held him for the entire time the doctor worked on me. I could hear Scott crying so hard. Once they were finished with me they staff turned down the lights, Scott moved the couch beside the bed and we laid beside each other with our son in the middle until he left us. I don't think I've ever cried so hard in my life. I don't know that I've ever been so sad in my life.

We were able to hold Ethan and love him for three hours before he left us. His heart was strong but his lungs weren't able to keep up. I think we were very blessed to have had a couple days to prepare for Ethan's arrival, and even more so to be able to spend a few precious hours with him. I think it will help in our healing to know we were his mommy and daddy and he was loved for even just a little while.

Because Ethan was born alive he will receive a birth certificate and a death certificate. This is not considered a miscariage; it is considered a fetal demise. We basically had a baby that passed away. The hospital staff have been really compassionate through all of this. Also because of his size and weight Ethan is required to have a proper funeral. The ceremony will only be with Scott, I, and our families.

It's Monday morning 5am now and we are still in the hospital. My fever keeps spiking from 102.5 yesterday to 103.8 today. I think the doctor will have to do one more proceedure to clean up any residual matter inside to help me fight any infections I may have from the delivery. Hopefully that will stabilize me and I'll be able to leave the hospital this afternoon. We'll see.

I've tried to contact everyone to let them know, but if I have happened to miss someone please feel free to pass on the information to other friends, family, and loved ones.

I don't know what the recovery period is for the loss of a child but I'm pretty sure we will be OK. I guess the doctor will have to determine the recovery time for my body, and for Scott and my emotional state. But on a personal level we have such wonderful friends that have prayed so hard for us. We are truely blessed to have so many caring people in our lives. Thank you so much for all the prayers and thoughts and messages of encouragement. They have been wonderful. I know everyone feels sad becuase of our loss, but just know that we are OK and that Ethan was loved.

Love
Nolie, Scottie, and Ethan