By Tamara, Littleton, CO USAI became pregnant with triplets after going through IVF. My pregnancy was picture-perfect for the first 12 weeks. At 12w2d, I started bleeding heavily, and continued to bleed until 22w. I was put on an antibiotic to help prevent infection.
PROM at 22 weeksDelivery at 32 weeks + 3 days.
Story added: 2003-02-17
At 22w0d I had a sudden huge gush of clear fluid. I immediately went to see my peri. They confirmed it was amniotic fluid and that Baby C's sac had ruptured. He still had a tiny bit of fluid around him and his vitals looked good. Baby A and Baby B were still looking okay. My peri advised that the greatest risk we faced was infection which would force delivery of all 3 babies immediately and I was hospitalized so they could monitor my condition and the babies. He also had us speak with a neonatologist to discuss what we would face with early delivery at various gestational ages. He said there was still some hope we would deliver 3 healthy babies.
We were able to avoid infection and I was sent home after a few days and kept to strict bedrest. I was also on nifedipine to help prevent contractions which I was having, but not feeling and I continued on the antibiotics.
When I went in for my 25w ultrasound, we discovered that Baby C's heart had stopped beating. I was again hospitalized for a few days and my condition was monitored closely. Baby A and Baby B continued to grow, although Baby B was a little smaller we could not get a clear picture of her on ultrasound.
I started to develop preeclampsia at 32w1d and was given a steroid shot to help the lung development of the babies. We delivered at 32w3d. My son, (baby A) was delivered healthy but needed some oxygen. My daughter, (baby B) seemed fine at delivery (needed no oxygen) but was having some unusual signs of distress. She was diagnosed later that day with several major cardiac defects and a poor prognosis. We were blessed with her presence for only 2 weeks before she passed away.
My surviving son is now 15 months old and is perfectly healthy and normal. I credit my peri and his staff with his survival --- they were nothing but supportive and proactive in helping me continue my pregnancy to give my babies the best chance at survival. I still ache for the loss of his 2 siblings, but feel so blessed to have Jason.