By Alison, Canton, CT USA
PROM at 31 weeks + 2 days. Delivery at 31 weeks + 4 days.
Story added: 2003-01-06

Hi. My name is Alison and I'm currently 32. My history is long and complicated, but the basic story is that I underwent infertility treatments for 2years, during which time, we suffered several first trimester losses. In May 2000, we found out we were preg again, initially with quads. We lost two embryos by 9wks (one was an identical to my daughter), but the remaining two looked very healthy and we were excited by the thought of making it past the first trimester for the first time. Things went very smoothly. Because of the rocky start, and the possibility of the death of the identical affecting the other, I was monitored very closely. on modified bedrest by 24wks, with home uterine monitoring. No complaints or warning signs emerged. In fact, everything was picture perfect. At 30wks, an u/s showed the babies had slowed growth slightly, but it wasn't unsual and they both weighed the same, so that was promising. Then at 31wks, (in hindsight) I began feeling slight dull achiness in my lower back, but it was relieved by bedrest. 31w2d, I had just finished monitoring for contractions (only 2) when I sat up and felt a gush. There was no denying that the membranes had ruptured. In panic, I rushed to the hospital to find that my duaghter's membranes (she was the identical) had ruptured. my son's were fine. They hooked me up to mag sulfate to control any labor to buy us time to get the steroids shots for the babies. It worked, and after the last shot (48hours on mag), they took me off the meds. within hours, I was contracting, but not bad. It was overnight and I actually slept through most of them, but the nurses and residents didn't like what they were seeing on the babies' monitors. u/s at 2:30am showed they were not rebounding from the mag. - hr were very low and they dipped lower with each contraction. so the decision was made to do an emergency c-section. Alyssa and spencer were born at 4:44am 11/20/00 at 31.5wks. Alyssa initially needed 2hours of ventilation due to the mag stress, but after that initial period, all was smooth sailing. They spent 4 and 5wks in the nicu to grow and regulate temps. they are 2yrs old and very healthy, average children.

The drs could offer no reasons as to why the PPROM occured. I tend to think it was because of the initial difficulties with the quad preg., particularly since it was Alyssa's bag that broke. but the drs. aren't as convinced. Alyssa's placenta did have infection, but the drs say it could easily have developed after the membranes had broken. So there are no real answers for me.

Oh, and I'm currently preg with our third child. Natural conception and very surprised. After our last experience and our history, we had decided not to try anymore. But we are happy and looking forward to the new arrival. I am now considered at high risk. The drs are particularly concerned because I delivered more than 4wks before the average twin preg. So having twins just doesn't explain the problems I had. As you would imagine, I'm hoping for a nice smooth preg to term, but am trying to prepare myself a smuch as possible for complications. I will post a second story after the delivery. due date is july 2003