By Eva, Stockholm SwedenI became pregnant in May, 1996. I started having a little spotting early on, so in week 7 I went to a doctor to check whether everything was normal. He performed an US, and told us that everything looked fine - and we were expecting twins. Imagine our surprise!
PROM at 23 weeksDelivery at 23 weeks.
Story added: 1997-10-08
I was very tired during the first trimester, but was lucky enough not to experience too much morning sickness. As I reached the second trimester I felt truly wonderful, and my bulge in the front started to expand rapidly as the twins began to grow.
Around w. 20 I accidently noticed that the cervix had become a bit softer than it had been before, but I didn't pay very much attention to this. Two weeks later I had a doctor's appointment, so I mentioned this to the doctor. She made a more thorough internal examination and agreed that the cervix indeed was somewhat softened, but firmly closed and said that this wasn't anything to worry about for the moment. At the next appointment she would check me again to see if anything had changed.
It was five days later. Sunday October 13, and it started out like any other fall Sunday. The weather was cold and dreary, so I'd been having a cosy and relaxing day at home. Then, just as I took the first step down our staircase, the water suddenly broke and I got completely soaked. I was completely taken by surprise; I had had no signs of it coming - no pains, no contractions, no increase in mucus, no nothing. I immediately realized how serious this was so I inched down the stairs, and laid down on the floor. Everything felt unreal - "this is not happening to me" - the panic, calling for an ambulance, my husband trying to pack a bag to bring along. I hardly dared to breathe of fear that the babies would be born. After ten minutes the contractions started - still no ambulance. With each contraction, water gushed out ... along with my hope. I was icy cold and trembling. Another eternal twenty minutes went by before the ambulance arrived. It had only driven three blocks when Emelie was born. I don't recall very much from the rest of the ambulance ride - I saw the neon lights flashing through the windows and heard the ambulance personnell struggling to save my daughter. An hour after his sister, Rasmus was born at the L&D at the hospital. He also lived for a short while, but his lungs were just too immature.
Afterwards, I was checked for infections and US were performed but all tests were negative. The children were perfect. One doctor suggested insufficient cervix, while others were claiming that that was highly improbable.
Conclusions? Not really - but if the cervix starts to soften too early in the pregnancy it might be a good idea to insist on being screened for infections, have US performed, and possibly start immediate bedrest.
/Eva Mother to Emelie and Rasmus, b&d Oct. 13 1996 in w. 23