By Jill, Jacksonville, FL USAMy DH and I had to go through IVF to get pregnant, and when we found out we were pregnant we were so happy - when we learned we were having twins, we were absolutely ecstatic!! However, early in the pregnancy we started having problems.
PROM at 17 weeksDelivery at 33 weeks + 6 days.
Story added: 2000-09-17
I started bleeding at 8 weeks and passed several large clots over a period of about a month. We were given a 50% chance of carrying to term, but each time we went in for an ultrasound the babies hearts were beating strongly, and they were growing right on schedule. I couldn't believe how tough they were at such an early age to hang in there. I was put on bedrest until the bleeding stopped, and had to stop working. When I finally stopped bleeding around 15 weeks or so, I got back up and around. We were packing up our house to move into a bigger one, and I had so much to do. At about 17 weeks I remember feeling a slight gush. I thought I was bleeding again, but when I checked there was no blood. I thought maybe I was losing control of my bladder, or maybe it was some kind of discharge associated with pregnancy. Since I had never been pregnant before, I didn't know what was or wasn't normal. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for the next day and remember thinking "I hope it isn't amniotic fluid!" I'll never forget the grim look the ultrasound technician had on her face when she did our scan and told us one of the babies didn't have any fluid in his sac. The ruptured baby was at the top of my uterus which was very rare, and they didn't know if there was a problem with the baby (e.g. he didn't have any kidneys) or if I had somehow ruptured. They couldn't get me to test positive for amniotic fluid leaking, even though I knew I had ruptured.
The doctor told us that the outlook was not good. Apparently 50% of the time a woman will go into labor within 24 hours of rupturing, and 90% go into labor within a week of rupturing. They told us that there was no way to save the babies, they were too early to be born; and that the typical advice was to abort the pregnancy. Abortion was NOT an option for us. God gave us these two miracles, and I trusted Him and His plan for them - whatever that was to be. I was sent home and told to call if I started having contractions and going into labor. I was a nervous wreck, and since I have never been in labor before, I thought every twinge I felt might be "it". When I called the doctor the next day, they decided to admit me to the hospital for a few days of observation to see it I was going to deliver. We asked if there was any way to save our one baby who had not ruptured, but since the ruptured one was at the top of my uterus, if I went into labor the "healthy" baby would be born first, and would not be able to survive. I told them that I was not going to go into labor, not going to get an infection, and these babies were going to be born when God wanted them to be. I further told them that I was glad that the rutpured baby was on top because his brother could help protect him and keep him inside me as long as possible. The doctors liked my optomistic attitude, but told me I had to be realistic about the chances of survival for the twin that had ruptured. Apparently, there just aren't that many cases where a baby who ruptures at 17 weeks (and doesn't reaccumulate fluid) survives because of poor lung development or other problems.
We decided to name our "ruptured" baby Matthew which means "gift of God" and the other Michael which means "one who is like God". The names seemed to fit perfectly, because if we all were to survive this it would truly be a gift from God.
I was sent home on strict bedrest until I reached 25 weeks of pregnancy at which time I was admitted to the hospital until the babies were born.
I spent 9 weeks in the hospital and every week we would have an u/s to see if we reaccumulated any fluid (which we did not), and to see how the babies were growing (right on schedule).
During my time on bedrest, I did a lot of research on PROM, and was quite discouraged to find almost no success stories of woman who had ruptured as early as I had. Right before I delivered, there was one posted on this sight, and it really helped to read it. I just knew we were going to have a success story to post, and I appologize that it has taken me so long to write this.
I went into labor at 33.6 weeks, and delivered vaginally my two precious miracles. Matthew was born first (he eventually made his way beneath his brother), and he came out crying. It was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. He was quite smooshed and black and blue from being stuck in the birth canal for so long, but I thought he was gorgeous. The doctor laid him on my stomach while he suctioned his nose and cut the umbilical cord. I am so thankful for those few moments before the NICU nurses whisked him away. Michael was born 20 minutes later feet first, he also was crying - and so beautiful. Both weighed around 5 lbs.
The neonatologist was very pessimistic about the outcome we would have with Matthew before he was born. "It is always very bad," she told us. And just after he was born, a NICU doctor came in to tell us all the things they thought were wrong with Matthew: he was on a ventilator giving him 100% oxygen (the highest level), his right hip was dislocated; right knee dislocated; obstruction in his nasal passages; obstruction in his intestines; severe right arm contracture; skull deformity and possible brain damage. After she read her list, she asked me if I had any questions. "Will he live?" is all I could think to ask. She told me that he should, but the next 48 hours would be critical. I was numb, but I knew he would be OK, and I just kept thanking God for the miracles He had given us.
Matthew was in the NICU for six weeks, he came home on a slight amount of oxygen and apnea monitor for the next few months (which I don't even think he needed). He does not have any brain damage, nor any blockages, his left knee has been miraculously healed. Occupational therapy has straightened his arm almost completely out, and his hip dislocation is currently being fixed. Matthew is the happiest, sweetest little boy with a smile that brightens up his whole face. He has some developmental delays since he hasn't been able to explore his world like his brother has (NICU, and months in a full body cast and brace), but he should be completely caught up well before he goes to school. His brother, Michael, didn't require any oxygen, and came home after two weeks in the NICU. He is also such an incredible joy. They were born 7-11-99, so they celebrated their one year birthday not too long ago.
PROM is an incredibly difficult thing to go through, but just remember that there ARE success stories, and GOD is AWESOME!!! Trust in Him and His plan for your life.
If you would like to talk, or want to know anything else, please feel free to email me at JillMill4@aol.com.
God Bless You,
Jill