By Laura ,
PROM at 16 weeks + 5 days. Delivery at 28 weeks + 4 days.
Story added: 1999-05-15

I ruptured at 16.5 weeks into my first pregnancy. When I orginally searched this site I could not find any encouraging info about early ruptures. Nor did my doctors seem too encouraged, though they always insisted that I do not give up. I was placed on strict bedrest and told to see my doctor every two weeks. At 24 weeks I was transferred to a clinic for high risk pregnancies. During this time ultrasounds always revealed low fluid. Between weeks 22-26 almost no fluid was detectable. The "pockets" around the baby were explained as pockets for the umbilical cord. A level II ultrasound showed a bell shape chest cavity and the doctor was extremely concerned that the baby would have no lungs. But my husband and I wanted to continue the fight for our baby.

At 26 weeks I was admitted to the hospital with almost constant monitoring of the baby since it would hit its cord often and slow its heartbeat considerably. On April 14, 1999 at 28 weeks 4 days I went into active labor. My son was delivered via c-section at 5:15a.m. My doctor was convinced he would not be alive by the time she finished the surgery. Amazing, thankfully she was wrong.

My son, Joseph, weighed 2lbs. 4oz. and was instantly fighting to breathe! He was on a respirator for 2 days and than placed under an oxygen tent. 7 days ago they took the "tent" away and he has been breathing on his own since. The doctors are amazed at how well he is doing and extremely excited to have another success story for other women in the same situation. My son shows no ill effects of the low fluid, no deformations and had only a sligthly low birth weight. His bell shaped chest cavity is no longer noticable and the doctors believe he will be just fine and able to come home around his due date.

It was an extremely hard battle to stay positive while pregnant, and even harder some days to continue the fight. I worried about a delivery prior to 32 weeks, but now I know I carried him long enough for success.

I hope I have offered some encouragement for all PROM's and especially the early ruptures. The director of the Perinatal clinic I used did have a few success stories of early ruptures, including a 14 week rupture. So please know that success is possible, these "little" miracles can happen!