By Mira Ma, San Mateo, CA USAI’m not sure specifically when I PROM’d but it must have happened after my first trimester screen, which was done at week 13 at UCSF. I didn’t need it but did it as a safety precaution. I was 33 years old and about to turn 34 in June. The ultrasound tech pointed out that I had plenty of fluid. I also found out later that amniotic fluid is first made by the mom and then starting in week 14, the baby starts making the amniotic fluid by peeing. So I’m guessing somewhere between week 15/week 16 is when I started to leak. It was a slow leak because I wasn’t aware of it. On March 26th, during my 18 week ultrasound to determine gender, the ultrasound tech pointed out to us for the first time that my fluid levels were low at 5cm. I went to see a Perinatologist the following week on May 31st and it was suggested that I terminate but I had until week 24 to make that decision. I was told to stop exercising until they figured out why my amniotic fluid was so low and to come back two weeks later for another ultrasound. The initial diagnosis was either that the baby’s kidneys were not developed or that the placenta had not attached properly to the uterus at conception. Finally, on June 14th, at 20 weeks, I had my first real gush (the day of my next ultrasound appointment) and it was then that I was officially diagnosed with PROM and put on mandatory bed rest. My AFI level had dropped down to 3cm. That was the beginning of my 14 weeks of bed rest. The doctors (I had two Perinatologists) both agreed that I would either go into labor on my own soon (before viability) or if I was lucky enough to carry to term, the baby had a slim chance of being healthy and “normal”. I have to admit that we almost terminated. I did some research online and came across an organization called Sidelines and they paired me up with a woman in Kansas named Linda who had also PROM’d seven years ago and had a successful outcome. I have to say that she was the first person to give me hope. She was also the one who told me about www.kanalen.org/prom/ . Linda made contact on June 22, 2006 and after an hour long phone conversation, I knew in my heart that I would not terminate.
PROM at 15 weeksDelivery at 34 weeks + 1 days.
Story added: 2006-09-28
I read all of the stories from week 15 through 17 and found a lot of useful information, especially about how to keep infection away and what to take to keep my membranes strong. I immediately sent my husband to the store to buy flax seed, vitamin E oil, Wheat Germ Oil and Fish Oil. I took a tablespoon of each every day, in addition to my prenatal vitamin and vitamin C. And of course, lots of water and cranberry juice. I continued my bed rest at home and at one point, my fluid levels increased to 8cm but it mainly hovered around 5cm, so whatever I was doing was working. At week 24 (viability), my doctors checked me in to the hospital to start my steroid shots and antibiotics. My fluid levels were at 4.6cm. They wanted me on strict bed rest, which meant no bathroom privileges, but I fought that and by day 2, they gave me back my bathroom privileges. That one week stay in the hospital increased my AFI to 8.8cm so I begged to be released to continue my bed rest at home. My main reason for wanting to continue my bed rest at home was because of my 3.5 year old son. If I did not have another child at home, I would have just stayed at the hospital for the duration.
After three weeks of AFI levels between 5cm-8cm, I started getting out of bed more so I could pick up around the house. That was a mistake. I started bleeding the next day. My second stay at the hospital was only for 48 hours, mainly for observation and with an IV to increase fluids. They discharged me again and I stayed in bed, at home for another month. I was doing well again at home and my weekly AFI’s fluctuated between 5cm- 7cm. If everything continued as is, I could stay home and induce in week 35 with a 90% chance of having an “intact” baby. But on September 3rd, Labor Day weekend, I started spotting again with clots and I was checked back into the hospital for the duration of my pregnancy. I also developed Vertigo (which I still have to this day) but my doctor doesn’t think it was pregnancy related. My fluid levels were back down to 3cm. We decided to induce in week 34 and picked Monday, September 18th. Since the baby’s head was still down, I could still have a vaginal delivery unless there was a cord issue. The day of inducement, I was given pitosin at 9:30am and at 4:31pm our son was born. Francois “Frankie” Peter Presta weighed 5 lbs 1.4 ounces and measured 18 inches long…a lot bigger than we expected. He did not need oxygen but because he was less than 35 weeks, had to go to the NICU immediately. He ended up staying in the NICU for a week. He developed jaundice, as we expected and treated, but our biggest concern was eating and weight gain. He has lost about 8% of his body weight but I am happy to report he is eating more enthusiastically now.
My husband and I know how lucky we are and I credit this website and all the PROM queens that supported me through this journey. Without you, Frankie would not be a part of our family. My advice to all you women that are in the midst of your ordeal, stay positive, ask questions, and take charge of your care. The women on this site have so much more real life answers and experience, more so than all the medical professionals that I encountered.
In hindsight, I think the reason I PROM’d was because of a sinus infection (my first ever) I had in the first trimester. I didn’t want to take the antibiotics prescribed because I knew I was pregnant but the infection stayed with me for two weeks which might have weakened my membranes. My first pregnancy was a breeze with no complications and because I was still under 35 years old and healthy, there was nothing else that would indicate that I would be a PROM candidate. I did not have an amniocentesis. Of course I will never know for sure.
If you would like to ask me specific questions, please feel free to email me at mirapresta@gmail.com.