By Carrie, Stillwater, MN USA
PROM at 26 weeks + 6 days. Delivery at 32 weeks + 3 days.
Story added: 2003-03-12

My membranes ruptured on Sept. 14th at 26w6d. I didn't realize that that's what had happened because it was a 'slow leak'. I called the next morning after having woken up wet, and they said to come on in and get checked. They tested the fluid and found that it was in fact amniotic fluid. However, the test was done by a midwife and the docs did not seem to believe the results. I got the impression that they looked down upon my midwife. They also did another test that supposedly gives you some kind of indication of whether or not your uterus is preparing to go into labor (fetal fibronektin or something like that...jeez my memory is slipping!) That was positive. They measured my cervix and it was slightly thinned and slightly dilated, but not much. They decided to admit me and put me on antibiotics until they got the results back telling them whether or not I had an infection. They also gave me the round of steroid injections at that time, to help mature the baby's lungs. After two days, the results came back negative for infection, so I was taken off the antibiotics. It was also decided, after much deliberation on my part, that they wanted to do an amniocentesis to inject blue dye into my uterus. That way, if I leaked blue they would be certain that I had ruptured. That was probably the hardest part of my stay. Of course, two hours later when we checked, the tampon was blue and that pretty much sealed my fate!

Because the hospital I was at is a 'teaching hospital', there were different doctors and residents and Lord knows who else coming in all the time to check on me. Each of them had their own opinion as to how to treat me and I was getting very frustrated with all the different opinions. It went from one doctor telling me I would be going home, to another saying I would be in the hospital until I delivered. One doctor told me that most women who rupture deliver within 72 hours. Another told me she'd seen women stay pregnant another 5 weeks. Eventually the decision was made to keep me until the baby was ready to be delivered. I, too, gained a new appreciation for women on bed rest. I went in thinking, "woo hoo, bed rest!". That lasted about a day and a half, and I was wanting to go home! At 28 weeks, I developed GD and was put on a regimen of insulin injections. At 32 weeks I developed a fever, which was the fear all along (fever being a sign of infection). They monitored it for 24 hours and said that if it didn't come down by the next morning, they would have to deliver me. The doctor told me that she prefers a premature baby to a baby born with an infection. The next morning I woke up with the same fever and the doc said it was time! Jeremiah was born via c-section on October 22, 2002 at 9:21 a.m. weighing 3 lbs. 12 oz. He didn't cry when he came out, but his eyes were wide open. I felt so helpless laying there straining to hear a cry. They assured me that he was doing well - apgars were 7 and 8. He was on oxygen for 4 hours, then a cpap for a few more hours. Other than that, he was doing very well. He lost 4 oz. over the next few days, then started to gain. In their attempts to get him to gain weight, they gave him formula mixed with my breast milk via NG tube. He was not digesting the formula, but was able to digest all of the breast milk. I wanted them to discontinue the formula and give him straight breast milk, but they insisted on trying different kinds of formula until they found one he could digest. Finally they did find one - a liquid 'naturals' formula. He was able to keep it all down and started gaining weight like a champ! He eventually moved into an open crib after a week, and spent another week there gaining weight and learning how to take all his feedings from bottles (or breast). He came home with us on November 7th weighing 4 lbs. 2 oz. As much as I wanted to bring him home, I was scared to death of leaving the nurses and monitors behind! The first couple weeks, we just kind of sat there looking at him, waiting for him to need something. He was, and still is, and very easygoing baby. He is now almost 5 months old and weighs 13 lbs and some change. I have tons of pictures if anyone is interested, and have also set up a website for him. Please email me if you are interested :) My email address is cdalen@umn.edu.

Despite everything we went through, we are eager to start TTC again. I know the chances of having to go through it all again are high, but I do feel that we are armed with a little more knowledge this time. I pray for another positive outcome and do struggle with the idea that I may be selfish for wanting to try again, knowing that the results may not be as positive. However, I believe that what is meant to happen will. I absolutely love being a mother, as does my partner, and am grateful that we were blessed with such a beautiful little boy.