By Diane, Toronto, ON Canada
PROM at 20 weeksDelivery at 28 weeks + 4 days.
Story added: 2008-04-27

My entire pregnancy was a roller coaster, starting with the wonderful news that I was expecting twins.

From very early on, I had mild spotting which I was told was normal for some women and so I didn't think much of it. However, at around 12 weeks I was diagnosed with a "moderately" sized subchoionic hematoma (blood clot) which thankfully resolved by the time I was 18 weeks. The hematoma in itself was scary (one day of loads of bleeding and blood clots) and I had no idea was was coming next - I thought it would be smooth sailing. (I'm now wondering if the hematoma had something to do with the pProm)

Just before my 20 week date, my husband and I were told we were having two very healthy girls. 3 days later, at exactly 20 weeks, my water broke. I had no idea how bad the situation was but I suspected it wasn't good. At the hospital, we were told I'd go into labour in the next 48 hrs and that I'd lose them both because they were too premature. The ultrasound showed no fluid around baby A. It was heartbreaking to see her so still while her sister moved around.

After 5 days, when I didn't go into labour, they sent me home to decide if my husband and I wanted to terminate. At that point, we were leaning towards inducing (terminating) based on the information the doctors gave us. We became hopeful after some research but the periontologist wasn't at all. After failing to convince us to induce, he told us that any time he spoke of the health of the fetus, he'd be refering to baby B - that he wasn't concidering baby A.

Thank God we went to another perintologist for a second opinion. While he also told us that baby A might not make it, he was very optimistic. That was all we needed. It had been 2 and a half weeks since my water broke and nothing had happened so far - maybe things would be ok.

The doctor wanted to admit me to the hospital at 24 weeks but I know myself well and was worried it would affect my mental and emotional state.

Up until 27 weeks, I stayed home and took it easy. I drank around 4 litres of water/fluid a day and took DHA (for growing healthy baby brains!) I also took vitamin C, ate probiotic yoghurt, and flushed every time I peed to keep infection away. I saw the doctor and a nurse twice a week for checkups. Both babies were growing well, always had full bladders, but it was still "wait and see" with regards to baby A's lungs. All the while, I leaked sometimes large amounts of fluid. Standing, lying down or sitting made no difference. Baby A's fluid level was always low - next to nothing fluid.

At 27 weeks I finally went to the hospital because I started to feel nervous about staying home. I received celestone at 27 and 4 days. A week later, I went into labour and delivered both girls vaginally. Emma's (baby A) APGR score was 6 and 8 and Leah's (baby B) was 8 and 8.

Leah went off her breathing machine and on to a nasal cannula at 3 days and Emma at 6 days. In case of infection, Leah took antibiotics for 4 days and Emma for a week. Thankfully, other than normal preemie breathing spells and some jaundice both girls are doing really well. They are now 33 weeks, breathing on their own, growing and putting on weight.

I really hope I've added enough info. on here to help someone going through this. These stories helped me so much! Keep praying and keep hoping.