By Samone, Savannah, GA USA
PROM at 20 weeksDelivery at 30 weeks + 2 days.
Story added: 2002-11-15

This was my second PROM. My first ended after eight weeks of hospitalization with a very sad outcome. This pregnancy, ended very wonderfully. During my fifth month, we were notified that our Tripple screen came back with high results and we needed to go to a Perinatologist for a level 2 ultrasound.

My husband and I sat through the consultation with a genetic counselor. We feared that our baby had Spinal Bifida. But, during the ultrasound, we found out that I had no fluid. I couldn't believe this was happening to me again! And this time it was our SON! We had two beautiful girls and wanted a boy so badly! The dr told me to go home and get in bed until my 24th week. I did. I didn't move. I couldn't believe I was going to go through this again.

At 24 weeks I was hospitalized and during this 6 week stay, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and had my ups and downs. My son would get tangled in his cord and his heart beat would go down. I would have contractions and visited the L&D ward too many times to count. I never had much fluid, no more than .4 . They kept telling us that the baby only had a 50% chance of survival. They stated pulmonary hypoplasia, contractures, etc. I was scared to death.

At 30 weeks 2 days, I woke up at 2:30 am with contractions. I didn't call the nurse because I figured they would just go away, like they had before. But they didn't. They just got worse. at 10:30 am after laboring in the L&D for five hours, they dr stated he would have to take the baby via c section. Our son was a Frank Breech and I had a previous mid-line classical c section. So, laboring was very dangerous.

I kept telling myself, if I hear him cry, he will be fine. I had a spinal, and felt the entire procedure, but once I heard my beautiful son cry, I was at peace. He was born at 3 pounds 13 ounces. He stayed on the vent for less than one day. He had to be on CPAP and have a transfusion, but he is home now and is doing wonderfully at 10 1/2 pounds. He is only two months old. He is such a little pig and is so beautiful.

Our son was born with a very minor cleft lip and the drs think that had something to do with my complications. My son is beautiful.

For those out there that have a fear of PROM in future pregnancies, there is hope and there are always miracles:)