By Gillian, Tasmania Aust
PROM at 21 weeksDelivery at 29 weeks.
Story added: 2004-01-01

The day I found out I was having a baby was the happiest I have ever felt in my life. The next week I was due to have a hysterectomy after years of fibroids and other problems. Being 36 I felt that a baby would never happen, as we had tried for a while.
My pregnacy was considered high risk due to past operations so I was often at that the Dr having scans ect.
Finally at 20 weeks I felt well however my blood pressure was very high and I was put into hospital which did frighten me, after 2 days I went back home, making an effort to RELAX. Exactly one week later at 21 weeks I answered the telephone and my membranes ruptured. I have never felt so scared as I new this was my only chance to ever have a baby and here it was falling apart.
I was transferred to another hospital where it was deceided to wait and see what happens I was commenced on antibiotics. Nothing happened over night and I was to stay in hospital to have complete bed rest. One week later I went into labour by midnight nothing happened so they let us rest and to see what might happen. I named my baby that night before he was born Thomas. Again it did not happen.
At 24 weeks I was again transferred to another hospital which had much better facilities to deal with a preterm baby.
Lots of bed rest Thomas was growing well,I continued to lose fluid all the time. The mental pressure was difficult at times, not to mention being 3Hours away from my famliy and partner.At 29 weeks the 14th Dec after weeks of blood tests and cheking Thomas's heart beat which was always good, I had a show of blood they were concerned that I had an infection, Thomas became very stressed not to mention his mum and dad. They deceided to do an emergency c-section as my blood pressure had gone over the top. I was very unwell as was Thomas.
At 3.00pm I had my little boy 1.562g he did not cry, but they held his tiny liitle hand up to wave at me. My partner went with them as they took him away. At 7.00pm they told me that Thomas was doing it tough and that his lungs had never developed, I had Celestone at 24 weeks which I had hoped and prayed would help Thomas. I got to spend 10hours with Thomas he was perfect lots of hair just amazing he looked like his dad. Then I had to say goodbye. The pain is so raw my life will never be the same that little boy gave me so much. One week before Christmas we buried Thomas with the other angels from our town. I miss Thomas so much my angel he was perfect.