By Linda Perryman, Plymouth, Ma USAJeff and I were expecting our first baby in early October. We have been trying for over seven years to have a baby. We really thought this was our miracle baby because I got pregnant the same week that my father passed away.
PROM at 18 weeksDelivery at 20 weeks + 1 days.
Story added: 1999-06-03
My water broke at a local restaurant when I was 18 wks pregnant. I was rushed to the hosptial were they did a FERN test. This test came back negative but the alkaline strips pressed to my wet clothes confirmed it was amniotic fluid. The hope was that I had had a rupture, but it had sealed and I would be O.K. We left the hospital with a 90% chance that everything would be fine.
The ultrasound the following day proved awful. I was told there wasn't hardly any liquid around the baby and all the terrible things that could occur like deformations, unformed lungs, infection, etc. We were sent into Boston's Mass General Hospital the next day for a confirmation of the findings. The results were confirmed and possibilities were discussed. Termination was strongly suggested, even thought there was no sign of imminent labor or infection. That was never an option for us. We wanted to see what my body would do.
After the meeting with doctor in Boston, we were sent home with no special care instructions or feelings of hope. That is when I found this web site. After reading so many stories about PROM, I put myself on bed rest and started to believe that there might be a bit of hope.
Two weeks and two days after my water broke I experienced cord prolapse. This cut off little Abrahams life supply and he died. I was then induced and 18 hours later gave birth to a perfect little boy who was just to small for this big world. We spent some time with him and have some pictures, but I miss him so much it hurts. When I picture him in my mind, I see my father holding him in heaven.
I can't help but think that maybe if I had been put on strict bedrest earlier or admitted to the hospital, maybe the cord prolapse wouldn't have happened. The doctors I saw offered no hope and didn't even think I should "waste my efforts". These are supposed to be some of the best doctors in the world.
I love reading stories about supportive and hopeful care, even when the odds are stacked against a favorable outcome. We are going to try to get pregnant again in a few months and know this might happen again. Any info, doctor referrals, stories (good or bad), PROM pregnancy management, or subsequent pregnancies stories would be really appreciated. Thanks so much.
Linda Perryman, mother to Abraham Perryman, born and died on May 27th ,1999.
Plymouth, Mass.