By Paige,I am writing this in place of my wife.
PROM at 18 weeksDelivery at 29 weeks + 3 days.
Story added: 1999-09-12
We went in for a amniocentesis at 17 weeks. There were problems and alot of cramping but we were assured everything was ok. Five days later the results, We were having a healthy baby boy. Next day disaster struck. Prom at 18 weeks. This was misdiagnosed at hospital as a kidney infection due to previa blocking fluid at examination. At 20 weeks the PROM was finally diagnosed and Bedrest insued. We were given about a 5% chance of little Austin making it, but we were at UAB with the best doctors in the world so we decided to fight. One week later, a cyst was found on my wives ovary. This led to allot of speculation about surgery. After an MRI they determined the cyst was on the kidney. Now we had PROM, Previa and a renal cyst to worry about.
At 23weeks cramping and bleeding forced hospitalization. At 25 weeks, blood clots developed in her lungs. Another problem. We couldn't win. After 2 days in ICU she was back in her room. The baby was still showing a strong heartbeat, but due to lack of fluid at sonograms, the hope of a "perfect baby" was still slim. At 29 weeks, 3 days labor
started. After a heartrate drop due to cord prolapse, Paige was rushed to emergency c-section.
The pediatricians were there with all there equipment. No hope for good lungs due to lack of fluid, they said. I was waiting outside when the pediatrician came out shaking his head. He said Austin came out screaming louder than a full term baby. No problem with those lungs.
He was put on a ventilator for 4 hours and he removed it on his on. He is almost 6 weeks old now and has been in Nursery since his third day (Moved from ICU). They are saying he will come home in about a week and yes, God gave us the "perfect baby".
Keep your hope because there are miracles all around us.
Paige, Greg and "Austin" Patterson
duckhunt@bellsouth.net