By Michelle Kneale,After 3 year of infertility, 6 artificial inseminations, 1 miscarriage and finally in-vitro fertilization, we became pregnant with triplets in May of 1997. I miscarried one around 5 or 6 weeks. Since I could not have a D&C I bled heavily for 6 weeks. At 21 1/2 weeks (October 8,1997) my membranes ruptured on one of the remaining babies.
PROM at 21 weeks + 3 days. Delivery at 25 weeks + 5 days.
Story added: 1998-01
I was admitted to the hospital...stayed a week on anti-contraction drugs and bedrest, sent home for 10 days with my husband giving me shots....back to the hospital for another 5 days when the meds stopped working....was life-flighted to a regional hospital and delivered the first baby at 24 weeks, 3 days.
Jacob Alexander Kneale was born on October 28, 1997. He was 1 lb 9 ozs and was 12 1/2 in long. He was completly infected from the prolonged rupture of the membranes and did not survive more than a half hour.
My labor was slowed down again and 9 days later on November 6th, Zachary Michael was born at 25 weeks, 5 days. He weighed 1 lb 8 ozs (685 grams) and was 12 3/4 in long.
Zachary one week old
Zachary is almost 10 weeks old now and is still in the NICU. He is over four lbs and is doing very well. He was under stress for 4 weeks before birth and had the advantage of steroids a week before birth. That is the only explanation of why he has done so well.
He is such a little miracle!!!!! We are so thankful for him, but miss his brother every day.
I really enjoyed your website...wish I had a more recent picture of Zach to send to you. This was scanned when he was a week old.
Thanks again! Michelle Kneale
jan 31:st 1998
Well, Zach is now 12 weeks home and may get to come home next weekend finally. (One week before his due date) They may send him home with a tube down his nose into him stomach since he is still not eating well. He now weighs 5 lbs 4 ozs!
Michelle