By Silpa Talluri, King Of Prussia, PA USAThis was my first pregnancy, it was a surprise for us but a sweet one since we were anyway thinking about planning for one.
PROM at 23 weeksDelivery at 32 weeks.
Story added: 2008-02-06
At 10 wks I started bleeding with clots, thought I was having a miscarriage. The next day in the Ultra Sound(US) we saw our baby bouncing and realised everything was fine. I had SCH (Sub Chorionic Hematoma, abt 2x3 cm) which I was told was not serious and will go away on its own most of the time. I was asked to rest a lot.
The bleeding continued till about 18 wks. Around that time the screen for down syndrome came positive and I got an amniocentesis done. The amniotic fluid was very dark brown in color. When the results came I was told that they couldn't get enough cells to grow from the fluid taken and I was given a choice for going for a second amniocentesis. My doctor and I both rejected the idea. The 20 week ultra sound was perfect though. We were told it was a boy. My perinatologist said I wouldnt need another US till the end.
The day my water broke it was 23 weeks. I was getting up from the sofa and wet my pants. I thought I leaked urine and changed my clothes. I had to change 2 times in half hour. Felt something is wrong and called emergency. they asked me to come and get checked. The doctor in LDR told us my water broke, admitted me and started me on antibiotics. That was the day I remember the least. We were told the AFI level is 3.0 and that it is less than minimum required. The baby was in breach position. It took sometime for us to sink in about whats happening around us. I also got the steroid shots meanwhile. It was a friday before long weekend so it was 4 days later that I was able to see my own gynecologist. He came and then explaind all the gruesome details of the situation we were in. He sent in the most wonderful neonatologist to explain to us about the baby. It was 23.4 days. We were asked for our decision about the kind of care they should give the baby if he comes out before 24 wks. I had no idea about the 24 week viability. So my immediate goal was to make 24 wks. That is when I found this website. We got a better understanding. My husband and I decided that I should not get up from bed at all, and take a day/week at a time. My mom flew from India to be with me. After 24 weeks the goal was 28. Each monday I would have an US. Initially we would get our hopes up that the AFI might go up even though we were told not to expect it. I leaked all the time and after 2 weeks there was no measurable fluid at all.
At 26 weeks I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. My mom used to make me food with care so that I dont have to starve eating the small quantities of diabetic food that the hospital provided. I would drink enormous amounts of water, 4-5 litres atleast. My husband and mom took care of me so well. Since mine was a private room my husband used to stay with me during the nights and my mom during the day. I was not left alone at all. I was a favourite patient for the nurses. They used to say their job was much easier with my family around :)..
In the US at 31 weeks there was a doubt that the baby's chest might be getting congested. After 9 weeks of prom they decided that the risk of infection is high. Doctors from MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine) and my gynec decided that 32 weeks is the time for my baby to come out.
It was a planned c-section and my Son was born 8 weeks early weighing 3 pounds and 12 ounces. He cried after birth and his apgar scores were 8 and 9. He got a surfactant shot. He was on CPAP for 7 days mostly at room air. He got jaundice and was under the lights for abt a week. He was in the hospital for a total of 3 weeks and 2 days. When he came home he weighed 4 pounds and 7 ounce. We named him Naren Lakshmi Kilaru.
Given the circumstances Naren's neonatal doctors and our pediatrician said its an overall positive outcome. Naren was moved from his 22 cal/ounce formula to the regular formula right about the due date (abt 8 weeks after birth). He is now 6 months old with no complications. We are still wary and try and shield him from crowdy places, bad weather etc. This RSV season he is getting a Synagis shot.
When it first happened my parents and in-laws in India went for second opinion from three different gynecologists about my situation. They all said I should opt for abortion and that the risk of infection is very high. We are so glad that we are here in the United States where there are so many facilities and made it possible for us to have our son.
For all moms who are going through this I would like to give hope.
Silpa Talluri
Jan 2007.
Update Feb 2008:
My Son Naren is 18 months old and is a handful :).. He is just like any other toddler with no signs of prematurity at all. I thank god and everyone else in the world who helped us to get through this all this time. I am even planning to send him to daycare and go back to work.