By Kara, Puyallup, WA USA
PROM at 18 weeks + 2 days. Delivery at 22 weeks + 2 days.
Story added: 2011-04-19

This was my fifth pregnancy, I had lost the previous 4 in the first trimester. When I got pregnant for the fifth time, they knew why I was having miscarriages, I didn't make enough progesterone. So I was started on vaginal progesterone right after ovulation and was ecstatic to have a positive pregnancy test. Because I was considered high risk, I had weekly ultrasounds until the end of the first trimester. It was a stressful time, but my husband I were so lucky to be able to watch our baby growing. We were thrilled when at 13 weeks we were told that I was no longer high risk and that my pregnancy should be normal the rest of the way.

Everything was going along fine. I felt great except for some fatigue, as was thoroughly enjoying being pregnant. One day, after work, I went to the bathroom and found that I had some bleeding and small clots. I was scheduled for an ultrasound the next day and was found to have marginal placenta previa and a large clot. The baby looked great and had a complete anatomical ultrasound. We found out that we were having a boy. I was put on bed rest while they monitored the clot and everyone was hopeful that the placenta would move up as the baby grew.

Two days later I got up to go to the bathroom and felt a gush of fluid. My midwife told me to come to the hospital, and the test came back positive for amniotic fluid. She told me that I would likely lose the baby since it was so early in my pregnancy. My husband and I cried, how could this be happening again? However, the midwife consulted with the physician and the ultrasound showed an AFI of over 13 so they sent me home. 2 days later I followed up with the specialist. My AFI had dropped to 7.5, but the doctor remained optimistic. She told me that many women rupture early and go on to have their babies.

So I went home, stayed optimistic, had weekly follow ups. Our son continued to grow and move, we were so encouraged.

At 22 weeks +2, I woke up with more bleeding than normal. I called to my husband that we needed to go to the hospital, and then I saw the cord. My heart broke right then.

At the hospital, they told us what we already knew. I was already 7 cm dilated, and there was no heartbeat. They gave me oxytocin to speed up labor. I delivered Kaeden after 3.5 hours of hard labor. My husband and I held him and cried.

It has only been a little over 2 weeks. I want to try again when we can, but am so scared. I hope that I can find the strength...