Campbell Mason Lowe was born at 5:51 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Baptist Woman’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Campbell arrived quite unexpectedly 12 1/2 weeks before his due date of May 19, 2015.  I was experiencing labor-like pain and drove myself to the doctor’s office on Thursday afternoon.  On the way, I realized I was having contractions about 4 to 5 minutes apart, but it was too late to get a ride.  They checked me at the doctor’s office and then admitted me to the hospital. Campbell arrived less than an hour after I was admitted.  Campbell obviously couldn’t wait to meet his parents, even though he also couldn’t wait for Mason to arrive at the hospital from the airport for the delivery.  (Mason arrived about 45 minutes after Campbell did).

Campbell initially breathed on his own and cried, which was very encouraging, but he was immediately intubated and admitted to the NICU.   Meredith was able to briefly touch him before he was taken away.  Mason arrived and was able to visit with him and get an update from the doctors about 8:00 p.m.  Initial reports were positive.  Campbell was experiencing many of the issues the doctors would expect from a baby his age, but they were optimistic about his condition.  We were terrified but encouraged.

Here’s a picture from just after he was admitted to the NICU: