By Melissa, Niles, MI USA
PROM at 20 weeks + 2 days. Delivery at 31 weeks.
Story added: 2011-12-11

My membrane ruptured suddenly and completely at 20 weeks and 2 days into a twin pregnancy. It was not correctly diagnosed until the following day (and the second hospital) and I was admitted to the hospital for one night. After consulting with the perinatologist, I was sent home the following day on strict bedrest until I was closer to viability. At 23 weeks, I checked back into the hospital and stayed until I delivered at 31 weeks. My ruptured twin made no attempt to breathe at birth and had Apgar's of 1 and 3 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. After hours of trying to get her properly ventilated, she was stabilized and the lung surfactant had done its magic. She came off of the ventilator at 7 days and went on oxygen. The difficulty of her early hours resulted in a grade III IVH and hydrocephalus, and she was shunted at six weeks old. She was released from the NICU a week later. She was on oxygen at home until she was about six months old. Despite the hydrocephalus and the IVH, she is a happy, normal, active toddler. She is caught up in every way except for some minor fine motor delays that are not noticeable to an untrained eye. Her non-ruptured twin sister was a typical 31 week preemie and has no lingering issues.