By Deesha Watterson, Ardmore, Oklahoma USA
PROM at 18 weeks + 4 days. Delivery at 20 weeks.
Story added: 2008-02-25

My story started on Feb 2, 2008, a Saturday afternoon, when I was 18 weeks and 4 days pregnant. This was my third pregnancy after two full terms resulting in my sons, ages 9 and 4. This little miracle, I would soon learn, was the baby girl I had wanted all of my life. I wanted a girl so much so that we planned this pregnancy based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar, hoping so much for it to be correct. Anyhow, I was home alone that Saturday and was lying down watching t.v. when I felt like I had a gush of urine. I stood up to go to the rest room and made it a few steps before it felt like someone poured a pitcher of water down my legs. I knew immediately what was happening, although I had never experienced it. With both of my boys, the doctor had to break my water during the labor process. Now here I was, two days from my first ultrasound with a puddle at my feet. Scared and devestated, I got in my car and drove 20 miles to the emergency room. After I was taken to labor and delivery the fluid was confirmed to be amniotic fluid and my doctor was called. This was about 4:30 pm. My husband, parents and best friend quickly arrived and we were all just so confused and upset. We waited almost 8 hours before my doctor would arrive to state that he had never had this happen to one of his patients and he had been trying to find out as much info as possible before meeting with us. He basically said that the chances of our baby surviving were about 12% and that because I was not yet 24 weeks, he would have to send me home. He did allow me to stay at the hospital for 5 days on antibiotics and then after 5 more days of bedrest at home, my labor began. I just felt like there was no hope, from the moment my water broke. Now, looking back, I wish that I would have given all my worries to God and trusted that He could truly make miracles happen. I just felt so hopeless lying in bed day after day, "waiting" for the baby to come. Our angel, Clarity Jade, was born after 5 hours of hard labor on Feb. 12, 2008. She was 11 inches, 14 ounces and beautiful. The only thing I ever got to buy for my baby girl was the gown she would be buried in. Her funeral was Feb. 15, 2008 and she was buried next to my grandmother. I am still living in a fog from this tragedy. I don't feel like I will ever relate to anyone again. My kids still ask about their baby sister and want to know when she will come home from Heaven. I just want to join her. Thank you for allowing me to share my story.