Be your baby’s advocate with your obstetrician or health care provider.

PROM can leave you feeling completely helpless. However, you may find empowerment in the fact that you are your baby’s advocate. Be as active as you can in the decision-making process. If you are uncomfortable making requests or asking for another opinion, remind yourself that you are doing this for your baby, and that your baby’s health is the most important thing.

• Keep asking questions if you don’t understand something or don’t have all the information you need. Wait until you feel that you have all the information you need before you make a decision. Unless your health care team tells you that your health or safety are in immediate danger, don’t make decisions quickly or hastily.
• Don’t worry that you are being a pest by asking the hospital staff to monitor you closely.
• Insist on being seen any time you feel that something is not right, even if you have left the hospital. If your health care practitioner will not schedule an appointment, go to the emergency room.
• To the extent possible, keep a written log of what you are told, by whom, and the date and time you received the information. A written log is also useful for keeping track of your medications, fluid intake, bathroom visits, and pad changes (if applicable), as well as the names of the members of your health care team.
• Join the PROM list for support as you advocate for your baby.

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This information was compiled by the members of the PROM list. Nothing on this page should be taken as medical advice. A doctor should be consulted before undertaking any of the medical treatments or methods recommended by the members of the list.