By Laura, Overland Park, KS United States
PROM at 35 weeksDelivery at 35 weeks + 1 days.
Story added: 2009-08-02

My first two pregnancies were fairly uneventful and ended in two healthy babies- one boy born at 37 weeks, 1 day and a girl at 40 weeks, 1 day.
In hindsight, I had been having alot of contractions throughout the entire pregnancy. I began feeling them at 6 weeks but chalked it up to running after two active kids, my third baby and being so much thinner at the beginning of the pg. I had changed doctors for this baby, in part to deliver at a hospital close to home. I recieved midwifery care (OB/MW practice) and was very pleased with my 45 minute appointments! Beginning at 10 weeks, I had an enlarged uterus. At first we thought that it was because I had my babies close together (number 3 was my third birth in 4.5 years) but when I measured a month ahead for a second time, they sent me for an u/s, thinking twins or fibroids. Nothing was wrong and I was having a healthy baby boy, measuring right on track!
At 32 weeks, the amount of cervical fluid I was leaking kept increasing. I had to wear and change panty liners often. I went to my MW, who found not anmotic fluid but an infection. Saying the infection could lead to preterm labor, she put me on antibiotics and, then those were finished, probiotics.
At 35 weeks, 0 days I was pretty miserable. I was having what I thought were braxton-hicks contractions and my pelvic pain was so severe, I could hardly walk up the stairs. I called my husband home from work and told him I was so tired and couldn't take it anymore. He took the kids out on an errand and I laid in the recliner, wishing the contractions would go away!
I finally mustered up the courage to waddle into the bathroom for a bath when I felt a sudden wetness. My first thought was, "Oh, crap, that's alot of mucus!" Then, "I peed me pants!" Then, "Uh-oh!" I sat on the toliet- more fluid. It was clear. I put on a pad, grabbed the phone and called my dr, and my doula. The dr called me back telling me to get to the hospital as soon as I had child care for my other children. I called my husband, my mother and my mother-in-law.
An hour after I saw the fluid, I went to the hospital. I was leaking so much that, when I changed into my gown, I leaked all over the floor! The nurse actually used the fluid I dripped on the floor to confirm that it was my amnotic fluid.
When my OB arrived, she explained that the risk of infection was greater than the risk of prematurity. I had wanted a natural,unmedicated birth like I had with my other children. This was possible, but with compromises. I had external monitoring but the monitor was portable. I had an IV with pitocin, fluids and antibiotics. They started the pit very low and dripped the abxs in slowly so they did not burn.
Labor progressed well and I was allowed to walk the hall, use the tubs and change positions. My doula was wonderful and encouraging and the nurses were respectful and helpful.
My son was born at 3:33 am, at 35+1, ten hours after my water broke and six hours after pitocin was started. He was big (6 pounds, 8 ounces!) and able to breathe on his own. However, he soon became grunty and went to the nursery for oxygen. Our beloved family practice doctor said that although he was the size of a 38 weeker, he was indeed 35 weeks due to his lungs.
Due to his ever-increasing need for oxygen, the NICU team was called. He was ventalated, given surfactant and transferred. He remained in the NICU for nine days, a week shorter than they expected. He recieved 2 doses of surfactant, a ventalator, bili lights, and an nG tube.
He came home nursing from the breast but failed to gain weight for the first month. I sought help from LLL and heavily supplemented with expressed milk. He finally began gaining weight around his orginal due date.
Leaving the hospital WITHOUT my baby was the worst experience of my life. I am so, so thankful our stay was "easy and short" but it was still difficult. I have alot of mommy guilt over what happened to him. Of course, I am TERRIFIED that it could happen again and sooner if we had another! However, I am thankful every day for all my children and their health.