By Katrina, NSW Australia
PROM at 16 weeksDelivery at 31 weeks + 5 days.
Story added: 2007-02-20

I was 22 years old and it was my first pregnancy. Perfectly healthy and hadn't had any problems with my pregnancy. I was out one night when I felt a gush of water and really being in denial ignored it for the next half hour or so - went to the bathroom when more water began gushing out. By this time I realised something was seriously wrong and was taken to hospital. On arrival it was confirmed it was amniotic fluid and there was little chance of the pregnancy continuing as they said the best I could hope for was to go another couple of weeks but more than likely within 2 days I'd deliver. I had an ultrasound that revealed I had lost the majority of fluid and was advised to terminate my pregnancy due to risk of infection for me and my baby + a plethoria of complications that could arise should the pregnancy progress. I refused to terminate against all advice (and I'm not advocating ignoring medical advice as the odds really were stacked against me and my baby and the ramifications very serious) but really had faith we could defy the odds. At 18 weeks I was sent home on bedrest and hoped the membranes would mend as I was advised was remotely possible but they never did and I leaked fluid every day. At this time I was also told my baby had spina bifida due to ultrasounds findings. At 25 weeks I was sent to a maternity hospital and was started on a series of steroid shots. My placenta started deteriorating at 28 weeks but it seemed my baby was still growing OK. At 31 weeks I went into labour. I delivered naturally and was so relieved to hear a cry when he was born! He spent the next 2 months of his life on oxygen and in a humidity crib and gave me several scares but finally came home on oxygen at 2 months of age + plaster casts on his tiny legs to correct talapies resulting from no fluid in the womb. It was quite evident he did not have spina bifida as suspected but I was told before he came home from hospital that he had suspected cerebral palsy and probable sight defects due to the high level of oxygen. 3 years down the track and countless visits to specialists, he was clear of any suspected afflictions at all!! At best his paediatrician said he would suffer lung afflictions such as asthma. Well today my son is 15 years old - has rarely been sick and has never had a hint of lung problems. I know I have been truly lucky and much luckier than many given the odds. I wish there had of been somewhere I could have read other peoples stories of hope 15 years ago when I was surrounded by doom and gloom and no glimmer of hope at all. I was given a miracle. I would never say ignore the advice of a specialist as the odds of having a healthy baby in these circumstances is nearly non existant but if I hadn't listened to an inner voice my miracle baby would not be here today. 12 years later I had another son at 38 weeks and my pregnancy was perfectly normal!!!