By Angela Carpenter, Braintree, MA USAMy husband and I tried very hard to have a baby, and finally after an IVF cycle, we received the wonderful news that we were pregnant! I can't explain how happy we were. I really thought it was too good to be true and was constantly worried that something would go wrong. As the weeks and appointments passed, I began to realize that everything was fine and the Doctor assured us that the chances of anything happening after this point were almost zero.
PROM at 20 weeks + 2 days. Delivery at 22 weeks + 2 days.
Story added: 2002-08-29
At 18 weeks, we found out that we were having a baby girl and she looked just perfect. We were so happy that we immediately began buying several essential baby items.
At 20 weeks, I began leaking a small amount of clear fluid, which I thought was just some discharge (I was told this was normal). However, that night, I heard a 'pop' and suddenly there was a gush of liquid. The panic set in immediately as we rushed to the hospital, where they confirmed that my water had broken and that I had no fluid left! The doctors encouraged us to think about inducing, since the chances of survival for our daughter were almost zero. We just couldn't make that decision. How could I not give her every last bit of hope? We decided to wait and pray for a miracle. Five days (and several ultrasounds)later I had not gone into labor, but still did not have any fluid. They decided to send me home, although they were still very worried about an infection. I was not showing any signs of fever or elevated white blood cell count, but my requests for antibiotics and the steriods to help lung development were denied.
With every day of bedrest that passed, I convinced myself that our daughter was going to be the miracle baby! We had already beaten so many of the odds that the doctors had given us! However, a week later I began having contractions and went back to the hospital. I requested the drug to stop the contractions, but was again denied. If I could have just held on until Friday, they were going to transfer me to a high risk pregnancy hospital, since I was nearing 23 weeks. However, on Thursday night, I went into active labor and delivered our beautiful daughter, Madeline Marie. She was only 14 ounces and 10.5 inches long. She had my hair and lips and my husbands toes! She lived in our arms for a few minutes and then drifted off to heaven. She will always be my precious little angel.
This happened 3 weeks ago and I don't suspect that the pain will subside for quite awhile. She is constantly in my mind and heart.
I only wish I would have seen this site earlier and I would have been more persistant on receiving the antibiotics and steriods.
Thanks for reading our story.
Angela´s second PROM Story >>