By Chelsea, East Bay, CA USAI found out I was pregnant on March 14, 2008. I was ecstatic. My husband was deployed to Iraq in August of 07 and had come home on his mid tour leave in Feb 08. We were trying for a baby, but thought our chances were small (considering we only had 18 days). But by some miracle it happened.
PROM at 19 weeks + 6 days. Delivery at 23 weeks + 2 days.
Story added: 2008-10-31
At 6 weeks, I began to bleed heavily. I was passing huge clots and was SURE I was miscarrying. I went to the ER where an u/s was done...I saw on the machine a beautifully beating heart. I was in shock, but so incredibly thankful. It was later determined that I most likely lost a twin. I continued to bleed for 3 weeks off an on. By week 10, I was doing pretty good. At week 13, I bled again for another few days. By week 16, things were great. I felt so good and just started feeling movements.
Then...my world came crashing down on July 5th...I stood up out of bed and had a huge gush of fluid. I ran to the bathroom where I continued to gush. I couldn't believe this was happening but I knew it must have been my fluid. I went straight to the ER where they tested the it and sure enough, it was amniotic fluid. I asked if there was any chance for my baby, the doctor simply told me no. The baby is non viable and you will either go into labor or get an infection. I stayed overnight...but did not go into labor. An ultrasound showed no fluid. But my baby kept kicking and moving. They brought me informational packets on stillbirth and asked me what I wanted to do when the baby was born. They told me they would take footprints and a lock of hair if there was any. I was crushed, to say the least. I felt like there was no reason to live. I felt devastated. After I did not go into labor, one of the OB's told me that he could send me to another hospital to terminate (They could not do it there because it was a catholic hospital). I refused. I went home on antibiotics and bed rest and was told to wait.
I waited...and waited...and waited. I didn't know if I was waiting for my baby to pass, or if I was waiting for my baby to get strong enough to survive. I just waited. I hardly moved, only to go to the bathroom. During this time, I met with a Neonatologist who explained all of the challenges my baby would face if he made it to 24 weeks, a "viable" state. Before that, they would not intervene or try to save the baby. I was going to be admitted at 24 weeks. I had multiple ultrasounds, all of which indicated no fluid had re accumulated.
I made it 24 days on bed rest...I was 23 weeks 2 days when the real contractions started. I was devastated. 5 days away from being at the point of intervention. I went to Labor and Delivery. I lied about how far I was...they discovered that I was lying and told me that I was not 24 weeks. They tried to stop the labor but were unsuccessful. I was given one steriod shot but it didnt have enough time to be any good. My labor progressed quickly. I was 4cm when they decided to prep me for an emergency c-section. I was terrified. "My baby cannot come yet!" was all I could say. Within minutes I was 10cm dialated and before they could wisk me off to the OR, my baby was coming. He was frank breach. I delivered him vaginally. He was 1 lb 3.5oz and 11 inches long. TINY. "Its a boy!"
He was handed off to the NICU team who resuscitated him within moments. Off to the NICU he went. I was told that he was critical but stable. STABLE...my "non-viable" baby was STABLE. I was so scared and so happy at the same time. He stayed in the NICU for 8 days when he got very sick and was transported to Children's Hospital where he remains now. He turned 3 months old yesterday and today he is 4 POUNDS! He is doing great! He spent 2 months on a ventilator and has had 2 infections, and many other complications, but all in all, he is a true miracle and a blessing. DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE. Doctors know a lot, but they dont know it all, and MIRACLES DO HAPPEN. My son is living proof of that. I am so glad that I did not take their advice and terminate my pregnancy.