I had never heard of PPROM but I was
very familiar with miscarriages. I had
3 previous miscarriages they all
started the same unexplained bleeding.
But this time was different I thought,
I had some light spotting at around 7
weeks and the doctor decided to try
Lovenox (blood thinner) injections
even though all of my testing for
clotting disorders came back negative.
It seemed to work I was feeling pretty
good. The doctor only wanted me to
take the blood thinner until the end
of the first trimester at 12 weeks. At
16 weeks I had some major bleeding was
admitted to hospital for 4 days. They
could not determine if it was a blood
clot or an empty sac dissolving. I
remember thinking this is the end, I
had so much bleeding and passed lots
of clots. However the baby's heart
beat was great and she was doing fine.
I convinced them to let me go back on
Lovenox and they did. Sure enough the
bleeding stopped and I was allowed to
go home but on complete bedrest. Fast
forward to 20 weeks and just one day
felt very strange while laying down
and suddently this big gush. I
immediately thought it was blood but
soon realized it was clear fluid. We
called the doctor and went to ER
immediately. It was confirmed at the
hospital that my water had broken and
I had very little fluid left and first
heard the term PPROM. We were told the
baby's chances of survival were slim,
we could terminate or wait until labor
starts which would likely be the next
24 to 48 hours. I was admitted to
hospital to watch for contractions or
an infection. I was given a round of
antibiotics to fight infections. Well
I suprised everyone and made it 7 more
weeks in the hospital with no
contractions and no signs of
infection. At 24 weeks I received 2
steroid shots to help with the babies
lung development. With very little
fluid or no fluid from week to week
the baby seem to be doing pretty well.
At exactly 27 weeks I had some light
bleeding and the nurse immediately
checked for the baby's heart rate as a
precaution and I heard the words I
will never forget, "no heartbeat".
After a c-section it was determined
that I had a severe case of
chorioamnionitis and severe placenta
adhesion issues. I did not have any
outward signs of infection, no fever
or tenderness in abdomen or uterine
area. My dear sweet baby girl after
holding on for 7 long weeks with no
fluid was born still. I am sharing my
story and hope it helps someone on
their PPROM journey. Ask lots of
questions, research PPROM as much as
you can and never assume the doctors
are always right.
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