By Nancy S, Ottawa, Ontario Canada
PROM at 15 weeksDelivery at 25 weeks.
Story added: 2013-11-10

I became pregnant with twins through IVF. This was my second pregnancy, my first being a healthy singleton pregnancy. Late in my first trimester I experienced some bleeding/spotting. I had several ultrasounds which found no reasons for concern and the bleeding was attributed to cervical changes. At 15 weeks while lying in bed in the morning my water broke. I was told that I would likely miscarry within 48 hours but that if I did not, that I should terminate the pregnancy as it was not viable. We conducted our own research, and baring in mind that this was a twin pregnancy wherein Twin B continued to be healthy, we chose to continue the pregnancy. I was on home bed rest for 10 weeks. I took acidopholous, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and materna vitamins. I was prescribed a 10 day course of antibiotics after advocating for this. At 23 weeks I experienced bleeding again. This was again attributed to the cervix. At that time a urine test showed that I was GBS positive. Given that I had a ruptured membrane this was treated with a 7 day course of Ampicilin. I provided a follow-up urine sample a week later. On the morning of my 25th week at 4:30 I awoke shivering severely. I have been told that I lost all colour, had darkness around my eyes and that my shivering was akin to convulsing. When I arrived at the hospital within an hour, my temperature had risen from normal to 40.2c. I was very ill and experiencing contractions. I dilated fully within less than 2 hours and gave birth to Maggie, my pPROM baby, followed shortly by Patrick. They both responded to initial treatment by the NICU team. Maggie died after 2 hours, in my arms. Patrick was doing very well however on days 3 and 4 there was evidence of severe bleeding in his brain. He died at 4 days old, also in my arms. I was diagnosed with sepsis - infection of the blood. We have been told several times about the severity of this type of infection. The GBS had moved into my blood stream. If we had not responded as quickly, I may have required hospitalization in the ICU. I was on IV antibiotics for two weeks. I wish all the best to those experiencing pprom and send those individuals and their families strength. For those interested in my experience of pPROM and loss I have a blog: www.dismalprognosis.blogspot.com