By Lynette, Helena, AL USA
PROM at 24 weeks + 3 days. Delivery at 24 weeks + 5 days.
Story added: 2002-01-15

On 12/22/00, my water broke unexpectedly. I was pregnant with triplets, all was going wonderfully, and I was completely shocked. In fact, when I got to the hospital, they weren't even sure if my water had broken. They tested me and the test was negative. The slide later showed that it was indeed amniotic fluid. I didn't have an infection, but developed one by the next day. they decided they had to deliver the babies to give them a chance of survival. I knew it was bad news, but I was also so excited to finally see my tiny treasures. My husband and I had gone through IVF to conceive the triplets, so this day was really bittersweet. I think I was in denial. Of course we had the visits from the doctors with all of the bad news and horrible possibilities, but we thought it would be ok. We had faith in God and knew that that couldn't happen to us. My son, Hunter, died 2 days later. It was his water that broke, so I think he must not have gotten the steroids like the girls did. His kidneys also never worked. Then, for the next three months, I sat at the bedsides of my girls, Abby and Emily, as they struggled to live. Emily died forst. She had a bad infection and her body could no longer fight it off. Abby died a week later after a surgery she had. She had developed an infection that relesed toxins in the bloodstream when treated with antibiotics. She had come so far and it was so unfair. Now, a year later, we have passed their first birthday (Christmas Eve!), and we are pregnant again..with twins. I am 21 weeks as of this writing, and I am scared to death of PROM again. They have very few answers as to what causes it, and they never knew what caused mine. I have oput myself on modified bedrest as a precaution. I lay around all day, except to get meals, use the bathroom, and shower. Once or twice a week, if I've been feeling well, we go to dinner. Other than that, I do nothing. I am having contractions, but they aren't regular and the doctor says I have made no cervical changes. They could be Braxton-Hicks, for all I know, but with twins this time I always feel very tight! I am fanatic about being checked for infection. I meticulously wash my hands constantly...even before I go to the bathroom. I don't know what else to do. My doctor keeps checking me for infection, which is known to cause PROM, but I am ok so far. I am also on anxiety meds because "maternal or fetal stress can be causes of PROM." One of the babies last time had IUGR and was stressed, so I don't know if that could have caused stress in my womb and the water broke. Anyways, I really need for this pregnancy to work out. I have buried three babies and can't bear to bury another. I am praying to at least make it to 28 weeks. They'll have a fighting chance then. If you are reading this and have a success story for a pregnancy after PROM, please email me. I need encouragement. Thank you!