By Victoria, Fresno, CA USAHello everyone,
PROM at 19 weeks + 3 days. Delivery at 19 weeks + 6 days.
Story added: 2011-02-01
I am new to this site and wanted to share my story. I, like so many of you had the unfortunate experience of PPROM with my first child at 19+3 weeks. I had no idea what was happening when fluid started coming out and was, of course, terrified. I went to the doctor the next morning and confirmed that it was amniotic fluid, after ultrasound and blood test they sent me home and was put on immediate bed rest. The prognosis was unsure, but there was still hope that our son would produce more fluid and he could pull through until at least 27 weeks. That was until the next day when a call from the doctor’s office instructing me to go to the hospital right away. I was unsure as to why I needed to be there, but knew it couldn't be good.
My doctor came in and informed me that my white cells had elevated which was an indicator of infection. At the time I didn't have a fever or showing signs of labor, so it seemed to puzzle doctors. During the first day in the hospital many tests were done and my fiancé and I were given "options" for what to do next. I knew our son would not live outside the womb at this stage, but he was still alive inside of me and I would have done anything to keep it that way. I couldn't imagine consenting to a procedure where I would have to deliver. Until another, more experienced, doctor gave us the news we didn't want to hear. There was nothing that could be done about my incurring infection until our son was delivered. If it wasn't done then I would not only be risking his life, but my own body and future fertility. This was the toughest choice we had to make, but unfortunately was a necessary one.
After consenting to the procedure, it took 18 hours and an epidural to deliver. Our son Gavin was born on January 14, 2011 at 8:44 am and weighed 1 pound 3 ounces. He did not have a heartbeat upon delivery. He was so tiny, but the most beautiful little thing I had ever seen. He looked just like his father. We were given the amazing opportunity to have all of our family with us to be able to hold him and take pictures. My fiancé and I were not rushed at all with the amount of time we could spend with him, so we cherished every moment. For the rest of that day we were a family, just the three of us, together.
Letting him go was one of the hardest things we had to do, but we know he is our little angel baby watching over us forever.
Leaving the hospital and coming home childless is undoubtedly a terrible feeling. The after effects of the entire experience still seem to puzzle me as to why this happened, and couldn't believe there was nothing else the doctors could do to save him. But after reading your stories and learning more about this condition, I am finding some small comfort in knowing that I am not alone in this.
Thank you all for sharing and I know that one day we will try again and hopefully things will be different, but I know I will never forget my angel Gavin and the joy he brought to my life.