By Lisa, Bridgewater, NJ USA
PROM at 20 weeks + 6 days. Delivery at 34 weeks + 2 days.
Story added: 2004-03-03

I became pregnant with my second child and everything was moving along without any complications until the end of the 20th week. I felt wetness in my pants and I knew something was wrong. I called my doctor and she told me to go to labor and delivery. My husband met me there. At first we were not sure if it was a leak or discharge. The paper test was negative and when the doctor looked at a slide she wasn't sure. I was at the hospital a day earlier for an ultrasound so we decided to get another ultrasound to compare pictures. The pictures showed there was less water but that didn't mean I was leaking. They suggested get an amnio done and inject a colored dye in the sac to see if it leaks out. My husband and I refused. We didn't want to put another hole in the sac if there was already one there. When I stood up I felt a gush of fluid flow down my leg. My doctor tested it with the paper and it quickly proved to be amniotic fluid. I was very upset, but my doctor was wonderful. She admitted me to the hospital for the weekend. They put me on antibiotics and I was on complete bedrest. I continued to leak fluid throughout the weekend. Another doctor visited and told me the baby chances of survival were not in our favor. I was very scared and didn't know what to expect. My husband and I believed if it was meant to be it was meant to be, and I was going to do what I had to do if the baby was going to survive. All I hoped for was to make it to 24 weeks so the baby had a chance. After the weekend I could no longer stay at the hospital because my insurance didn't feel it was a viable pregancy. I had another ultrasound and I was sent home. At this time I still had water. I was at home on strict bedrest for a week and didn't leak. I went back for another ultrasound. The ultrasound showed I still had water. The next day I began leaking again. I went back to the hospital and stayed there for two days. I was than transported to a level III hospital where I was going stay until delivery. I met my new doctors and had an ultrasound. This time they told me my AFI was 7 and everyone seemed very optimistic. I continued to leak and was on strict bedrest. I couldn't even get up to use the bathroom. I did everything laying down and drank at least a gallon of water a day. The nurses asked my everyday about leaking, bleeding and signs of infections. Everyday I told them I was fine. I made it to 24 weeks and they gave me steriods. My next goal was 28 weeks. They survival at that point was 90%. I made it. I survived Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each week they would do an ultrasound and my AFI was always around 6. They told me to keep drinking my water. At 32 weeks I was told they would induce at 34 weeks. I couldn't believe it. At 33 weeks and 6 days I started contracting on my own. They thought I would go into labor but I didn't. I was in labor and delivery for four days. My husband and I thought for sure I would have to have a C-section. My doctors really did not want that to happen. After being on pitocin two different days, 4 cervigels and one meal, my son was born after pushing for 10 minutes. With tears in my eyes the doctor handed him to me and all seemed well. He was 4lbs 15ozs. He spent 10 days in the NICU. His lungs were developed, but one had pneamonia. He needed to be on antibiotics. I am happy to say he is doing great. If I could give anyone advice I would tell them to take it week by week. Everyday you are pregnant is a good day. I would also advise them to drink, drink, and drink as much water as they can. And remember miracles can happen.