By Helen Boyd, Bristol, RI United States
PROM at 29 weeksDelivery at 34 weeks.
Story added: 2003-12-02

When my husband and I found out I was pregnant we were so excited--especially me because my Dad was dying from cancer and I wanted him to see his only girl give him a grandchild. My pregnancy was a very good pregnancy considering I was working full time and taking care of my Dad fulltime plus taking care of my husband and house. But as months passed and my Dad got worse--I was so afraid that I was going to lose the baby (due to the fact I already had one miscarriage) because I was running around so much taking care of everybody else. But at each doctors apt. I always heard -- what a perfect pregnancy Helen-- I never had any problems to speak of--I was eating right--taking care of myself (as best as I could).

We got the news that my Dad only had weeks to live--I felt that my whole world was going to cave in -- but at that time my baby kicked me so hard--and I said I need to be strong for this little life.

I buried my Dad and the next day I felt a trickle of water. I called the doctor and after an exam I was admitted to the hospital for the remainder of my pregnancy,only thing I thought of was thank God this happened after my Dad was gone--who would have taken care of him--

I guess with everything that had just happened with my Dad I didn't have the energy to worry what was happening to me and my baby--I am the type that always reads everything and always thinks the bad is going to happen--Well each day in the hospital I read and read everything about PROM and premie babies.

The doctors checked me everyday for fluid and thankfully I had plenty and my son Edmund continued to grow. I was in the hospital for 5 weeks. Everybody would say (knowing how active a person I was) how are you staying in this bed--and I thought of what my Father and Mother both dying of cancer and the pain they went through (this was nothing) I needed to be strong and stress free for my little one. The day came when my temp went up and they said Helen this is it. I made it to 34 weeks which was what the doctors were hoping for.

Edmund was born 5lbs 9ounces. He had to stay in NICU for 2 weeks. It was so scary being in that place, but those doctors and nurses became my second family--I thank God for them everyday I look at my son--who by the way is doing great.

Im pregnant with my second child and I hope I can go full term--I can't imagine leaving my son for that many weeks. So I have been trying to get different stories from other people--does it always happen (PROM) once you've had one pregnancy with (PROM) anybody knows please let me know. Thanks to all the people who took the time to read my story.