By Brooks, Kingwood TX USA
. Delivery at 38 weeks + 2 days.
Story added: 2002-04-26

This was my second pregnancy after a PROM with my first at 34 1/2 weeks. This pregnancy was different from my first from the very beginning. I was much more careful this time and greatly modified my activities. I got a book on preventing preterm birth and followed it to the letter. I took fish oil capsules, extra zinc, extra vitamin C during the pregnancy. I had "all day" sickness this time unlike the first. I had a pretty uneventful first trimester and was treated as a "normal" pregnancy despite my protests. Second trimester around 24 weeks I began having vaginal burning. After many many doctor visits I still had no answers. I was treated for BV, although my symptoms persisited. FINALLY at 29 weeks I sought out a doctor who specializes in Infectious Disease and high risk OB. He determined I had a horrible UTI and Ecoli bacteria in my vagina. I finally had an answer. Treatment was to be difficult. I was put on Keflex for a week to ten days at a time over the remainder of the pregnancy. I would take a week break in between rounds. The treatment decreased the amount of bacteria but did not eradicate it. There were no other treatment options that were safe for the baby. The doctor did weekly vaginal ultrasounds to watch my cervix. At 33 weeks a slight dilation was noted on the external Os. Internally it was still fully closed. I was put on bed rest until 37 weeks. I took Brethine to decrease the amount of contractions I was having (what I thought were Braxton Hicks) The meds worked and I was taken off bedrest and the meds at 37 weeks. At 38 weeks 2 days I began having stronger contractions and was admitted to the hospital. My doctor ended up inducing me after my contractions were causing no cervical change (ironic) and breaking my water 12 hours into labor. I gave birth to a beautiful full term daughter who weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20 inches long. Avery was put on IV antibiotics and was cultured as a precaution for my e coli infection. She was fine and went home with me 2 days later. My doctor now believes it is possible the ecoli infection was the cause of my first PROM.

I feel so blessed to now have 2 healthy daughters Natalie and Avery. Praise the Lord!

PROM Pregnancy #1