By Heather E, CO USAThis site was my life-line almost 3 years ago...
PROM at 17 weeks + 6 days. Delivery at 30 weeks + 6 days.
Story added: 2010-07-15
On December 5th 2007, I woke up early to my 5 yo crying crying. I went in to check on her. As I came back to bed, I felt wet. I laid back down, but did not sleep. I was sure my water had broke. Luckily, when I called my OB's office that morning, I was told, "your water can not break before 18 weeks." WOW, what a relief, I was 17 weeks 6 days... I was also told, if I really wanted to come in, I could. I went in. The on-duty OB gave me a quick u/s w/ the obsolete wheel-in-the-room machine. She saw a pocket of fluid and was sure that meant all was fine, but, if I REALLY wanted to wait, I could get in w/ U/S tech and the higher resolution machine. I waited. The tech was quiet, but had me wait for the OB to "discuss". By this point, I knew my water hadn't broken. That kind of stuff does not happen to me. Also, it was getting late and I needed to pick up my two oldest kids from school. They advised me to wait. I talked w/ the OB, she told me, that my water had in fact broke. Surprise!
They would send me to the Peri the next day to double check.
I cried the entire drive home. I wiped my eyes and picked up my older two from the neighbors. Never mentioning a word.
Friday morning came, myself, my husband and our two youngest went to the Peri appointment. By this time, I had convinced myself that all was fine and we would be told so that day. I was wrong. The Peri confirmed the findings, and suggested I "induce". We didn't.
We went home.
That w/e we all went out to cut down our Christmas tree. The kids were so excited! I didn't see any point in sitting around waiting for the inevitable to happen. I mean, the specialists told me my baby had no chance!
By Monday, after finding this site, I parked myself on the couch and didn't move! My Mom (HEAVEN SENT!), came to help out at 21 weeks (that was the soonest she could arrive). My husband worked out of town M-Th...
I got up to shower once per week (eww, I know), and got up to go to my weekly u/s's. This baby that "woud not make it" continued to THRIVE. My AFI's went up a little and down, averaging 3. At 26 weeks, after gushing fluid all day, my OB checked me in to PSL. That's where I stayed for 5 more weeks. Even after the last u/s, the day before I had my daughter, the head of the OB department told me that she may still not make it - if she did not have enough fluid to develop her lungs,there would be nothing they could do.
She was born on March 6 2008. She was 3lbs 10 ozs. She cried immediately. She was in NICU for 5 weeks. She (this baby who was not suppose to make it past 17 weeks gestation) is now 2 and healthy. She is perfect. PERFECT!
For those of you dealing w/ something similar right now, my heart goes out to you! Please don't give up. Your miracle can happen too!