Declan's story as told by his mama, Allison: "When I was one day shy of 18 weeks pregnant, I stood up and felt a gush of water. It felt just like when my water broke with the girls, but thought surely that's impossible this early. I drank some bottled water, and called my OB in the morning. By the time I went in to the office the next morning, I was no longer leaking, and a quick test was negative for amniotic fluid, so I was assured that I was wrong, everything was normal with this sweet baby we just found out was a boy (!!) the week before. Two weeks later, I went in for my midpoint ultrasound. We already knew we were expecting a boy, so I told Sam not to worry about missing work for the appointment. I was shocked when my OB shared that my amniotic fluid was low. She said between me reporting that I had leaked and the ultrasound showing low fluid, it was possible that my water did in fact break. She asked me to call the on call doctor the moment I started to leak again. The next evening, I went to the hospital to confirm that the leaking was in fact amniotic fluid. That night, at less than 20 weeks pregnant, my water fully ruptured. The baby's heart rate became erratic, and the doctor regretfully told me this was not a viable pregnancy. The baby would pass away in utero and I'd need to be induced, or the baby would naturally come on his own, likely in the next 48 hours. November 19 was the worst day of our life. I asked what the most aggressive thing we could do to prolong the pregnancy, and he said IV antibiotics but that he didn't think they'd change anything. I asked for the antibiotics and was admitted to the hospital for 3 days. Within hours, my family was there, and literally hundreds of people began praying for our baby. We made it through those first 48 hours, and past the first week even though 90% of women deliver within 1 week of their water breaking. We cried every day from the grief of the situation our baby faced and out of gratitude for all the people who showed up to love and support our family. I began bedrest to try to make it to 23 weeks, which our hospital considers viability. Miraculously, we made it to 23 weeks and I received the steroid shots we had prayed so hard for. The day I turned 24 weeks, I was admitted back to the hospital where I would stay until our baby would be born due to the risk of infection and complications that could require immediate delivery. During one of the routine ultrasounds, we discovered I had a placenta Accreta. Through some miscommunication between my OBs and Maternal Fetal Medicine (high risk OBs), a MRI was accidentally ordered. My OB didn't really think it was necessary, but thankfully it was done, as it showed I more likely had a Placenta Increta which is even more severe. When that news came back, it was the hardest week of my time in the hospital. We had spent every ounce of energy fighting for our baby, and now we were faced with a life-threatening complication for me as well. After 6 weeks and 4 days in the hospital, our son made his sweet appearance via emergency C-section and I had a hysterectomy to minimize my risk of hemorrhage from the placenta increta. Our little guy came out crying, and began on CPAP to help support his breathing. Throughout our pregnancy, we had been told that the lack of amniotic fluid could mean that our son's lungs would never develop, even going to 34 weeks. So, we were thrilled to know he came out crying and breathing. However, within minutes, both of his lungs collapsed. His first night was very touch and go, and he spent it on the maximum respiratory support the NICU could offer. God saved our son, and carried him and our family through his 68 days in the NICU. There are so many more details of how God provided gift after gift. How an "accident" or a "coincidence" protected our son or our family. He is here only because of His provision and the faithful prayers of hundreds of people who loved him before he was even born. So, we named our miracle baby Declan, "man of prayer." Our little Dex is only here because of grace, science and prayers, and we are so grateful. Every day I thank the Lord for the gift of him, and every day I tell my little boy thank you for staying, thank you for fighting. I'm so glad he's here."