By Sue Gilbert, Arizona USA
PROM at 19 weeksDelivery at 24 weeks.
Story added: 2000-05-24

I had bled at about 12 weeks. The dr. wasn't the least bit concerned. I began bleeding again heavily at 19 weeks. Upon examination, polyps on the cervix were discovered, causing the bleeding. Through the ultrasound, it was discovered there was no amniotic fluid - my water had broken. I spent 4- 1/2 weeks on complete bedrest. I was referred to Loyola Univ Med Ctr and had weekly ultrasounds. Drs were VERY negative. We prayed and asked everyone we knew and some we didn't know to pray. The contractions did not begin until the 23rd week. All along, I had been requesting steroid injections, and anti-contraction meds, but my requests were denied.

One high risk Dr. not from Loyola reported to me that several of his patients had PROM around the same time, and he believed this to be caused by atmospheric pressure. At any rate, Luke Brian was born on May 10, 1995 weighing 1 lb 12 oz and measuring 12 inches. He breathed, and cried before intubation. Both of the delivering Drs "declared" my son a "miracle". Not I or my son had any sort of infection.

Expected to survive, he became ill and died on his 22nd day of life from emphysema. I feel very, very strongly this could have been prevented. We'll never know, as I was denied the medical treatment I had requested. I wish I had sought a second opinion. I miss my only baby. I know he waits for me in heaven, but a part of me is so dead.



Mother's Day 1995



Luke Brian