By Melissa, BC Canada
PROM at 22 weeksDelivery at 26 weeks + 2 days.
Story added: 2010-12-12

My first pregnancy with my now 3 yr old son was uneventful and by the book (he was actually 10 days overdue and I was induced). My second pregnancy however, was much different. I had really bad morning sickness, borderline gestation diabetes, abnormal blood test results for the multiple marker test and appointments with Medical Genetics to discuss my options. The facts, statistics, and percentages were not very convincing that there was an actual “genetic” problem so I refused the amniocentesis. I went in for the routine 20 week ultrasound shortly after, only to find out then it was TWINS. I had an early ultrasound at 6 weeks and they missed that there was two. I was shocked but happy; it partially explained some of the problems. It had barely sunk in that we had two babies on the way and at just 2 weeks later, I ruptured.


I remember sleeping and then being woken up in the middle of the night with something leaking. It seemed to only be some spotting and I told myself it happens, probably not a big deal. I had to work the next day and went back to sleep. I was woken up again to more fluid this time, as soon as I stood up blood/fluid gushed down my leg. The feeling I felt at that moment was horrible, I knew what happened but tried to deny it. We went into Emergency. The OB on-call took awhile to come see me but the resident checked in with me. Everyone was pretty casual about it and didn’t seem as concerned as they should have been. After being there all day, the doctor was just going to discharge me home and have me check back in a week. It wasn’t until I showed the nurse the pad I was wearing, the fluid/blood that was leaking (they couldn’t get a proper sample to prove I had ruptured; ultrasound showed low fluid levels but still in normal range). Doctor then decided I would stay in the hospital overnight to see if I go into labour or any signs of infection. I wasn’t given any antibiotics which they should have done. I was just sent home the next day on strict bedrest and told to still go to my scheduled ultrasound in 2 weeks (if I made it until then). The doctor basically felt since I was only at 22 weeks and there was nothing they could do if the babies were born, so just send me home and wait.


At the time, I didn’t understand the seriousness of this situation and how poorly handled it was by the doctor. I did make it for the next 2 weeks and went to my ultrasound appointment at the level 3 care hospital that I was referred to. They found almost no fluid around Twin B and I was rushed over to labour & delivery to be assessed. The doctor there explained the situation much more clearly. I was just at the 24 week mark so I was given the steroid shots to help the babies’ lungs grow quickly. Still no antibiotics though. I was sent home again on bedrest but with home care nurses checking in on me every morning.


Bedrest was hard but I was glad I was able to do it at home. I would miss my son if I had to be at the hospital that whole time. I slept most of the time on the couch reclined up (I always leaked all my fluid at night, anything baby had replenished, leaked out). I drank lots and lots of water. I know you may read it doesn’t do anything, but it does. As much as I disliked not being able to get up and do things, I would have done anything if it meant keeping them inside just a little longer, to let them grow. The equivalent growth inside the womb for one day, takes many days in a NICU.


Then at 26 weeks, I went in for my scheduled doctor’s appointment. I had been leaking just clear fluid, but now started seeing blood mixed in. I was extremely scared of what that meant. The doctor told me it’s common and probably from the baby hitting the placenta and causing a bit of bleeding. I had no fever, no pain, no signs of infection so I was sent home again; that night I woke up to severe cramping but not regular contractions and more bleeding. The nurse who came to see me in the morning sent me straight to the hospital; she knew these babies needed to get out asap.


The babies’ heart rates were up close to 200 and they were in distress. I still had no signs of infection, except for a high pulse but finally, gave me the antibiotics anyways. The doctor on-call didn’t want to take any chances, so I was rushed in for an emergency c-section. It all happened so quickly, I was given IVs and medicines and specialists and doctors crammed a lot of information into me in a matter of minutes. I was in so much pain at that point, I couldn’t process anything. I remember laying on the operating table, just praying. I just wanted them to come out alive. I wanted them to make it. They held on for 4 weeks, when everyone else had told me it would only a matter of days. Twin A, Isaac was born first; he even cried out. Twin B, Isaiah, (the twin with no fluid) born a minute later didn’t make any sound. Those were the longest minutes of my life, waiting to hear that they were ok. They worked on him and got the ventilator and machines hooked up. I only got to see a glimpse of them as they wheeled them both away to the NICU. I was told I could see them as soon as I recovered and could get up. Well, I was determined to get down there. I was in PACU and started wiggling my toes much sooner than expected, I remember the nurse was so surprised and I was sent up to my ward. I made my husband help me into the wheelchair and told him to take me down to the NICU.


The NICU is overwhelming at first. Isaiah was in a separate procedure room since he was so unstable. They let me go in to see him and let me hold his hand. He was so tiny but perfect. Both boys just barely weighed 2 lbs. His blood pressure was really low and there were tons of other concerns, plus the usual preemie problems. Isaac was in the larger nursery in an incubator, hooked up to a ventilator and monitors. They had concerns with him too. The NICU rollercoaster began, so many ups and downs, good and bad days. Isaac ended up getting extremely sick with NEC and other infections, PDA, pulmonary bleeds, chronic lung disease, FTT, and more. Isaiah had most of the usual preemie problems but did a little better than Isaac. The boys spent 4 months in the hospital and I was there every day to be with them. We had many sleepless nights and many conversations with God. I am now thoroughly educated in all things regarding the NICU, I already worked in healthcare but having 2 babies spend 4 months there, I took it upon myself to research/learn everything. The best advice I got while there was “You are your child’s best advocate, question everything.” My NICU experience is another story all on its own; once you get to that point, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.


The boys are now 8 months old, 5 months corrected and weigh about 16 lbs. They are beautiful, healthy, and so far developing how they should. No medications, no more oxygen, no more feeding tube, no major health problems/conditions that we know of so far. They are my living proof in the power of prayer.


I try not to regret anything and I try not to blame myself (although, it’s hard as a mother not to feel like this). But it has changed my life; it makes you realize what’s truly important in life. Yes, my household is chaotic now with three young boys. It was hard bringing home two babies and having to adjust. But every time I listen to them crying as stressful as it is, I thank God that I hear their cries everyday and that’s the most of my worries. Babies that are born premature are fighters, they’re tough. They endure a lot in those first few months but they are so resilient.


If you are reading this, you are probably going through PPROM right now. I spent many nights while on bedrest reading these stories, looking for hope when everyone else sent me away to just wait for the inevitable. I always thought to myself, I wonder if my story with be green or blue. I wanted to share my story to give someone else hope and let them know, you are not the only one who feels the way you do right now. Prayer is powerful. Pray often. It’s what got me through, when I thought I couldn’t handle any more. And as hard as it is, you have to take it day by day, you really do. If you have any questions or need any support, or just need someone to pray for you, please feel free to email me. To everyone else who reads this story, I wish you and your families all the best and hope you too can add a “green” story here.