By Kristin, Omro, Wi UsaThe date was July 17, 2010. I was 13+5 weeks pregnant and was actually feeling pretty good. I was coming out of the first trimester which is often full of fatigue and nausea. This was one of the days I had energy so I used it. Did some laundry, cleaned the house, took my three daughters to the library, surprised them with a stop at the ice-cream shop. Then I came home and mowed the lawn. When my husband came home from work, we ate supper and then the whole family hung out in the livingroom. We were all in a good mood. After a bit, I excused myself to finish folding the laundry I had begun earlier. That's where the nightmare began.
PROM at 13 weeks + 5 days. Delivery at 28 weeks + 1 days.
Story added: 2011-02-09
Out of nowhere, a huge gush of fluid went down my legs and all over the floor. I started crying instantly. I knew what had happened. My water broke! Instantly I thought this would be the end. Why in the world would my water break this early otherwise???? In moments we were in the car, speeding to the hospital not knowing what would happen. There was a point where I coughed and felt another horrible gush. Things were not good.
To make a long story short, my husband and I walked into that emergency room believing our child had died. Amazingly, an ultrasound told us otherwise. The heart was beating strong. Still, our doctor stated with no ambiotic fluid, a miscarriage was inevitable and offered to terminate the pregnancy. My husband and I knew as long as there was a heart beat, it was not our place to decide the baby's fate. After a night of observation at the hospital, I was sent home. We were told the baby would miscarry within the next 72 hours.
Well, 72 hours turned into days, days into weeks, and weeks into months. The journey was not easy. The first several weeks the option of termination was presented to us numerous times. There was no advice given to me by my doctor on what to do to increase the baby's chances. I know now it's because of inexperience on her part. They say pPROM happens only in 1% of pregnancies. Most doctors never experienced this! My husband and I searched in vain for websites about my condition. It wasn't until I stumbled upon the this website that we had something to hope for.
I was on bedrest for 10 weeks before I was admitted to the hospital. During that time, I saw the doctor twice a week for about a month, and then once a week since I was stable. The doctor would test me for infection, take my vitals, and check the baby's heartbeat. I saw a perinatologist twice for in depth ultrasounds. These trips always proved to do nothing but make my husband and I miserable. There was never any measurable amniotic fluid and the specialist just went down the line of what could possibly go wrong with this baby. We knew she was obligated to do this; however, some of her side remarks we very negative, uncaring, and uncalled for. At our 20 week ultrasound, the baby's heart appeared to take up much of his chest cavity and his stomach was larger in size (often called a bell-shaped chest). We were told then that the lungs didn't look like they were developing so "why even bother trying?" Can you imagine!!!?? At our next OB appointment, my husband and I expressed our concern about this and that's when our doctor assured us she would do everything possible to give this baby a chance. That's all we wanted to hear. We opted not to see the specialist again. Our respect for our OB grew that day as well.
At 24 weeks, October 1st, I was admitted into the hospital. I cannot tell you how nervous I was for this transition. I don't think I had a good night's sleep the whole week before!
In the hospital, I was definitely able to rest better. I'd still leak everyday, several times. Sometimes a gush, sometimes a trickle. The baby was also monitored for an hour every four hours around the clock. Sleep deprivation? You bet, but it sure gave me peace of mind to hear that heartbeat. My baby was still fighting.
I had three ultrasounds throughout my pregnancy. Each one showed no measureable fluid. I was advised to terminate several times. I didn't believe it was my decision if this baby lived or not. I'm so glad I left it up to God.
At 28+1 weeks gestation, Luke David came into the world. He was 17 3/4 inches and weighed 3pounds 1 oz. This baby that wasn't supposed to make it out of the delivery room cried when he was born. He still needed help but he was here. Our miracle was here!!
Luke spent 11 weeks in the NICU. He was home before his original due date of January 20th. Looking at him now, it's hard to believe we went through what we did. Luke is in great shape.
PLEASE, don't give up hope. Take it day by day. Don't look into the future. Just live in the moment and time will go by. Whatever the outcome you're giving your baby a chance. That is the BEST thing a mommy can do.
If you'd like to get in touch with me, please email at kristinsteffen1973@yahoo.com. Any questions or comments I'll do my best to get back to you. This is not an easy road but it can be done!