By Lindsay, Lafayette, IN United States Of America
PROM at 32 weeks + 2 days. Delivery at 34 weeks + 3 days.
Story added: 2008-08-09

When Mike and I decided to start our family, we thought it would take at least six months. Two weeks later, we were surprised, scared, anxious, and thrilled (all at the same time) with a positive pregnancy test. I had a relatively easy first trimester with minimal morning sickness, and a brief bleeding scare at 10 weeks. After an ultrasound confirmed that our baby was was okay, we continued on with the pregnancy...looking forward to the addition of our baby.

Twenty-two weeks later, when we thought everything was perfect, I began to have a leaking feeling every time I stood up or sat down. After a few hours, I decided to stop drinking fluids to try to determine if I was peeing my pants or leaking amniotic fluid. Even four hours after I had ceased hydration, I was still leaking. Nearly twelve hours after the initial leaking feeling, Mike and a friend convinced me that I needed to call the doctor.

The doctor asked me to come into L&D and informed me that, if my sac had ruptured, I would be staying in the hospital until delivery...which would most likely be within 48 hours. I had pooling of liquid at the cervix, as well as a positive paper and fern test. It was confirmed that my water was broken.

I was immediately admitted for the remainder of my pregnancy. Mike and I were shocked, devastated, and scared for our baby. I was given lung steroid shots for the baby, antibiotics to ward off infection, and IV fluids to replenish my hydration levels. My obstetrician and nurses were absolutely wonderful. When I passed the 48 hour mark, they were thrilled. When I passed the week mark, they were shocked.

I started having contractions one week after my water had broken. Since I was far enough into viability and since my baby had been given the steroid shots, we didn't try to stop the labor. Thankfully, my body didn't kick into full labor for another week.

At 34 weeks 2 days, I started having regular painful contractions. Nearly 20 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing later, Ruby Elizabeth was born on Super Bowl Sunday 2007. Mike and I were overwhelmed and incredibly grateful.

Unfortunately, Ruby's lungs were still too premature, and she immediately started having respiratory distress. She was immediately taken to the Level III NICU and intubated. Twelve hours later, she was put on CPAP. Twenty four hours after that, she had weaned completely down to room air. She struggled with jaundice, acid reflux, and gaining weight. However, after 7 days in the NICU, she was released to come home with us.

Today, Ruby is a healthy, feisty, and fun little girl. We are so thankful for the technology that gave her the chance at life. We are also currently pregnant with her little brother. I have pPROM'd again (at 17 weeks), and I am currently on extremely strict bedrest, trying to get him as far into viability as possible. Hopefully, I will have another successful pPROM story in a couple of weeks.

Good luck to all! pPROM can be a lonely diagnosis. I don't know anyone else in real life who has dealt with this condition, much less multiple times. I wish you all the best, and I want you to know that you aren't alone, and you can do it!

To keep up with our family, visit our blog:
http://www.not2us.net/blog