By Samantha Skorupski, Sierra Vista, AZ US
PROM at 19 weeks + 6 days. Delivery at 20 weeks.
Story added: 2004-04-15

After TTC for 3 years, Jan 2003 I found out I was pregnant and was due October 20th 2003. We were so happy, as to we were waiting for this for 3 long years. Everything was going so great. At my 18 week appt, I got my referral to get my ultrasound done, which was scheduled for June 9th. Baby's heartbeat was a strong 155.
On the morning of May 28th 2003, I woke up and went to the bathroom, and I felt this "burst" of water come out of me, and then I noticed I was spotting. So my husband took me to the Emergency room, were I was there for 9 1/2 hours. They did an ultrasound, but didn't say a word to me, I was so scared for me and for my precious baby. After an hour long ultrasound, they took me back to my room. And I waited. The Doctor came in and I immediately asked him, "Did my water break?" and I kept asking him, and he never answered me. He told us that I had a placental abruption and that I was to see my OB the next day. And until then I was to be on complete bedrest. So they discahrged me, no hospital care, and co antibotics. And still no clue as to if my baby was ok.
The next morning I was still bleeding and I developed a fever of 101.0 and was very ill, went straight to my OBs. And he listened to the heartbeat and it was still a strong 155, no fetal distress, the OB checked my cervix and I had begun to dilate. That is when I asked him, about what I felt the morning before, was it my water? He took me to get an ultrasound and there he said "yes your water broke" and there isn't enough fluid for the baby. We have to induce you. The ER didn't even tell my OB that my water broke.
So we went straight to the hosiptal, I couldn't go home and call my parents. They admitted me and then induced me. It was so devastating knowing that I waited so long for my baby, and I wouldn't be able to take him home. 8 hours later I gave birth to our son, James Edward. He was 9 ounces and 9 1/2 inches long. I miss him dearly each and every single day.
I am now pregnant with our second child, and due October 25th 2004. I am very scared. My prayers go out to each and every family that has had to deal with the loss of a child.