By Ellen DeBruyn,
PROM at 29 weeks + 5 days. Delivery at 30 weeks.
Story added: 2000-04-03

I had PROM at 29.5 weeks last summer, pregnant with my son Jack, my first child. I was hospitalized to wait for Jack to come, but made it only to 30 weeks and there he was. We have been blessed with Jackson showing no longterm effects of his early birth or hospitilization (6 weeks in NICU). No diagnosis was ever made, but I had a cerclage in place for possible incompetent cervix, as I had had cervical cancer 5 years ago, but my cervix held all the way, my membranes did not! In addition, I had undergone steroid injections for 5 weeks before my water broke, as my doctors felt I was at risk for PTL. I had tested positive at 23 weeks to a protein test showing whether I would deliver within the next 4 weeks. Of course, I thought they were CRAZY, but they were (almost) right!

I am very interested in the survey you hold and the results. One thing that occurred to me that you might include if you re-do your survey is to ask if any respondents were undergoing fertility treatments. I had taken clomid (fertility drug) and had undergone IUI (intrauterine insemination), to finally get pregnant after several years of trying. I have noticed that several of the moms of preemie-l had fertility problems, and perhaps there is some correlation.

Well, that is about all my story. I am now a full time working mom, and my husband and I are hoping for a second child this year. You can bet that I'll be back to your site, as I imagine I have a good chance of a repeat preemie performance. Thank you for your time and your good work for preemies. I am attaching my favorite picture of Jack, at 2 weeks old (32 weeks gestation).




Be well.

Ellen DeBruyn