By Lori S, WI USA
PROM at 30 weeks + 1 days. Delivery at 30 weeks + 6 days.
Story added: 2006-09-10

I want to share my story to support and encourage parents of preemies who go through the ups and downs of the NICU.

My pregnancy was exciting yet uneventful until PROM. My water broke at 30 weeks and 1 day. It being my first pregnancy, I had no idea what happened when I felt a little leakage. I called my OB and spoke to a wonderful on call MD who recommended I go in to get checked out. I told her it might just be urine and she wisely told me not to worry, some of the smartest women she knew went in for things like that.

I arrive at the hospital at 230 AM and was treated wonderfully and sensitively in the womens triage. It turned out that it was indeed amniotic fluid. I was admitted and watched closely for infection. I recieve the steroid for lung development. Four days later, early in the morning I showed signs of infection so I was induced. 15 hours later our 3lb 15 oz miracle arrived.

There were no complications until he was 7 days old. A head ultrasound showed a grade 1 IVH. Not to worry everyone said, it is common. So we din't worry until the follow up ultrasound at 14 days old. It showed a progression to a grade 3 IVH. Our world collapsed. They told us of the complications, mainly CP. We prayed and our family and friends prayed and people we didn't even know prayed. He appeared so healthy except occasional apnea spells and difficulty learning to bottle feed. After two follow up ultrasounds it appeared that the IVH was starting to resolve and we were overjoyed. The NICU doctors and RNs were happy but continued to warn us of the side affects of the bleed, CP, may not show signs until months or years down the road. I did not care, I just wanted our baby home.

So after 5 weeks in the NICU, mostly learning to bottle feed. We took our baby home. Almost 6 lbs by then. Our pediatrician, the birth to 3 program and the follow up clinic at the NICU have been keeping an eye on our little boy. Almost a year old now, he weighs 27 lbs!!! Obviously, no more feeding issues. We have been told his is developing normally and his skills range from his gestational age to his birth age, catching up to his peers. He crawls, pulls up on and cruises the furniture, babbles constantly, points to things and waves. We may have obstacle to overcome in the future, but we will deal with whatever comes. God has truly blessed him and us.

So all you parents of preemies with a grade 3 IVH, all babies are a blessing no matter their outcome. Have hope, faith, and love that baby with everything in you. The best advice came from one of the NICU RNs, "Don't wait to see if the next milestone will be reached, enjoy what his doing right now, because if you are always looking ahead you will miss out on your baby's life." I followed her advice and didn't miss a thing.

Thank you for listening, all of your babies are in my prayers every night.