By Alison, Ottawa, Ontario CanadaI had an ultrasound at 17 weeks because I thought I had a spot of blood. U/S showed healthy baby, no problems, lots of fluid. About a week later I noticed some wetness in my panties. I read that some discharge is normal and tried not to worry, especially since I had just been the week prior and everything was OK. For the next 5 days I noticed by the end of each day my panties were wet. I did not feel any leaking. My husband said that maybe we should get it checked out. There was no strong odour or colour. I went to the Emergency Room and waited over 5 hours. I was 19 weeks, 6 days. Because I wasn't 20 weeks the L&D specialists wouldn't see me. The ER doctors finally did a litmus paper test - the piece of paper against my vagina did not change colour so they said it was unlikely that I was leaking amniotic fluid. The checked my cervix & I was not dialated. The ER doctor made an appointment for me to have an u/s the following day.
PROM at 19 weeksDelivery at 37 weeks + 4 days.
Story added: 2003-02-27
I went to the same u/s clinic that I had over a week before. The u/s showed that I had lost about half the amniotic fluid around the baby. I was down to an AFI (amniotic fluid index) of about 5. The doctor that met with us was a High Risk Pregnancy specialist, he was very compassionate but said there was little chance that the baby would make it. He said that while the baby was OK right now there was not enough fluid for future growth, and it was very unlikely that the fluid would replenish itself. He said that it was suprising that I had not gone into labour already, and that there was only a 10% chance of baby surviving. If baby did survive there was a high risk of brain damage, lung development problems, deformed limbs etc because there would not be enough fluid for baby to grow properly. In addition, with a hole somewhere in the sack there was a high risk of infection getting into the uterus and causing brain damage to baby. We were devastated and felt totally helpless. With the tears going down my face I tried to think of all the questions to ask. The doctor suggested that we consider termination as the odds were so much against us. We asked if there was anything we could possibly do to save the baby and increase the fluid. He said we could try bedrest, and that while it was not proven to help in these situations, it would not hurt to give it a chance.
After a very difficult week of bedrest we went back to the doctor for another u/s. There was no change in my AFI level. Another week of bedrest, and still no change. I then got a laptop and went on the Internet to see what I could find. The PROM support group on Babycenter.com gave me the information and incredible support (particularly Roberta - if anyone has been on the website they will know who I am talking about).
After chatting on the PROM bulletin board, and reading other people's experiences, I tried increasing the water I drank while maintaining bedrest. The next weekly ultrasound showed a slight increase in AFI, from 5 to 7. It remained at 7 for the next visit also. Finally I felt some encouragement. The doctor was encouraged, but still mentioned termination as a consideration. We wanted to give it another couple of weeks. I was not sure if I could terminate my baby, who, according to all other tests was perfectly healthy but due to low fluid could have serious problems as she grew in utero. My husband & I wished that mother nature would make the decision for us - we felt inadequate to make such a terrible decision. If our baby was to die we would rather it happen naturally than have to terminate. This was the worst time in our lives.
I read some more on the PROM bulletin board and increased my water intake even more, to at least a gallon a day. I was on full bedrest, allowed to get up only to have a 5 minute shower a day and to go to the bathroom. With a gallon of water a day I was going to the bathroom a lot. I still noticed wetness in my panties, but felt no leaking. The new litmus paper I received from the High Risk Specialist showed positive for amnio fluid (the paper in the hospital could have been old & ineffective). Once I increased the water I drank the fluid my weekly ultrasound showed my fluid was at a 10 - in the normal/low. If I could maintain that level my baby should have a good chance of surviving and being healthy. We decided to continue the battle. The weekly ultrasounds continued. The bedrest was emotionally and physically difficult on my husband and I. It was lonely, and I cried a lot. Our family and friends were very supportive, and I could not have made it without the support of the ladies on the PROM bulletin board on Babycenter.com. My husband would pack a cooler with my breakfast and lunch and 8 bottles of water and put it beside the bed. I ordered books online, used the laptop and watched some TV. I also stayed on my left side as much as possible, switching to my right as my joints ached. Occasionally I would lay on my back with a pillow under one hip so all the weight was not on my back. I did not use a pillow for the first while, tried to stay as flat a possible, with a pillow only under my legs. The swelling and water retention was terrible. I developed carpal tunnel in my wrists so it became painful to type or hold a book for long.
The weeks passed, and the u/s showed the AFI stayed around 9 or 10. Eventually we went to bi-weekly u/s. I developed gestational diabetes and was so discouraged - why this on top of everything else. My husband then had to follow a strict plan when preparing my meals. We were both emotionally drained, fighting a daily battle for a baby we were still not sure would make it or be healthy.
Our goal initially was to make itto 27 weeks to give the baby the best chance at normal development. Each day the baby was in utero was a miracle, and I read that each day in utero was 3 less days in ICU for a premature baby. We mentally prepared ourselves for a preemie and I checked the web pages for how to care for a preemie. Our goal then became 30 weeks. Our goal then became 32 weeks. Every day after that was amazing! We were thrilled. I was so uncomfortable but so happy. The skin on my inner thighs was so swollen that it was painful to be touched. By 32 weeks even the bedsheet moving against the skin was painful.
Each u/s throughout showed our little girl was doing so well. She never changed position, was always Frank Breech (legs straight up with feet at her face). I had a scheduled c-section (after a failed inversion - attempt at turning the baby).
Our beautiful and perfectly healthy baby girl was born July 23rd, 2002, at 37weeks, 4 days, weighing 7lbs, 110z. She was in ICU only for 1 night because her blood sugar level dropped.
She is now 7 months old and the absolute sunshine in our lives. The 14 weeks of bedrest is now a blur - typing this I have no idea how we made it. It was a time that we will never forget, but will not dwell on. It is stored in the back of our minds and our hearts for occasional pondering and we watch our little gift from the angels, our little miracle baby grow into a beautiful child. I believe that Keeley Ella has some very special angels that look over her and I secretly occasionally take the time to say thank you to them and ask that they continue to watch over her.
For anyone reading this, please do not lose hope. Get support, do not be afraid to ask for help, believe in yourself, take bedrest seriously and drink tons and tons of water until you want to throw up. Make sure you are being closely monitored by a specialist. There is no guarantee of a good outcome, but never regret a good fight for your baby. Miracles do happen.