PROM 33wks5days

LuckyMarley

Hello, I was admitted today for PROM. I'm of course scared, nervous, and feeling guilt like I failed somehow. I am getting iv antibiotics and received one steroid shot so far. I'm contracting a little but not too bad. I'm in a haze with all of the preemie and nicu talk going on around me. I think the doctors plans are to see if baby can stay put for a few more days at least to cross the 34 wk mark. Is this typical? If you can offer any words of encouragement I would be so grateful. I know I should be resting but I can't sleep at all. Baby is doing great so far, great heart tones and lots of movement.

kloc2006

The same exact thing happened to me. I was admitted at 33wks5days due to PROM.  My doctor wanted to get me to 34 weeks also.  I ended up with a scheduled c-section the morning I hit 34 weeks. My daughter was born at 4lbs 7 oz. She spent 19 days in the NICU.  She was mainly a feeder/grower. (Now she is a feisty, verbal two year old!) 

It is totally understandable to feel nervous and scared. You will go through many emotions. This board is a great place to seek support, vent, or ask questions.  

KristinaIsAGeek

I had a brush with PTL at 33w5d, and was dilated to 4cm. After receiving steroid shots, my contractions stopped and I was sent home. My doctors' goal was to get me to 34w also (after which, they generally do not attempt to stop labor).

My water broke at 35w3d and I delivered a few hours later.

I wish you all the best. You are the best possible place you can be, and your LO will be well taken care of. 

Denesdia

My early birds arrived under different circumstances, but I just want to say good luck to you, and keep us posted!  Do try your best to get some rest, but I know that is hard to do when you have so much to worry about. 

efortune

Mine broke a few days ago, and they are letting me go as long as 34 weeks or until labor starts. It's crazy scary... but there are so many success stories. Good luck! I am sorry you are in this situation as well. I wouldnt wish it on anyone.

paige0328

Thinking of you, hang in there. I was just a couple of days later than you when my water broke (34w2d) and I delivered right away. I also had steroid shots (30w), and we had a two week NICU stay - primarily feeding/growing. Hoping they can keep your baby in as long as possible. Keep us posted - this is a wonderful places for advice and support. 

HJOHNSTON411

It is very common for Doctors to try to hold people to the 34 week mark.  32 and 34 weeks are big milestones in terms of development and weight.  After 34 weeks, most babies do exceptionally well and have very little, if any, NICU time.  If weight, muscle tone, etc are all good and both you and LO are stable, it's best to bake your LO as long as possible (within reason - probably 36 weeks would be your max).  

Just to give you some encouragement - I was told I was having my LO at 28 wks 5 days (for somewhat different reasons, but still) and held off until 35 weeks!  Based on what I know about PROM, you have an excellent chance of making it a few more days, or even a week or so.   

 

Try to rest and drink lots of fluid!  GL! 

Mrs. Alice

I'm sorry you are going through this, but I will reassure you that your feelings are 100% normal.  Getting past 34 weeks is a great milestone in development and getting those steroid shots in time can make a great difference.  Hoping you get a few more days or weeks in!

LuckyMarley

Thank you all for the great encouragement! Baby is still doing well inside, great heart rate and no signs of infection on my end. Contractions are still coming and going. I really hoping to make it to the "official" 34 week mark tomorrow and hopefully even beyond that! Thank you all and I know you all will be a great resourse for support and information! 

If anyone could recommend any good links to Preemie sites I would appreciate that. I have googled a little bit, but I am really trying to stay away from google because of all the negative information that can filter through. I would just ike reliable, sensible, accurate information. Thanks! 

MrsMVM

Please keep us posting! Thinking of you and your baby and wishing you both well.

My guy was born at 33w5d. My water broke at 33w4d and they tried to hold me to 34w but alas, the universe had other plans. He spent 9 days in the NICU, 16 days in Special Care feeding and growing.

I know your head is spinning. Think positive and rest. We're rooting for you!

DrRx

I know what you mean about being nervous and scared, but try not to feel guilty.  It sucks, but these things happen. Whenever I started down the path of what did I do, I told myself to snap out of it because I know that there was NOTHING that I did that made it happen.   I was admitted at 22w6d because of suspected pPROM and stayed in the hospital on bedrest until I went into labor at 26w1d because of an infection. 

My nephew was born at 34 weeks, also due to pPROM.  He was about 4 and 1/2 pounds, and he never needed any breathing assistance (nasal canula, CPAP, or ventilator) and always breathed on his own.  He had a 10 or 11 day stay in the NICU, mostly because he wasn't able to feed unless he had a feeding tube.  Babies born at that gestational age aren't able to coordinate the whole sucking/tongue thing, and around 36 weeks or so, it's kind of like a light-switch goes on and they are able to breast and/or bottlefeed. However, it is important to start pumping as soon as he is born, since they can feed him/her the breastmilk through the feeding tube and it will allow you to keep your milk production up. 

I had my daughter 2 days ago, and I made sure to pump within 6 hours of giving birth.  I have been pumping every 2.5 to 3 hours, allowing myself a 5 hour stretch of sleep a day.  The first pump was about 5 or 8 ml of colostrum, but the subsequent ones on day 1 were typically  less than 5ml each time, from both breasts.  Don't feel discouraged.  Today, I've been able to get between 23 and 45 ml of colostrum with each pump session.  Even though my baby won't be able to use all the milk that I'm pumping since she is a micro-preemie (and is only getting 1 ml every 6 hours as of now), the NICU will freeze it and use it. 

I had the 2 steroid shots, and I really think that it made a difference in my daughter's ability to not have major breathing issues.  I mean, she's been on the ventilator since she was born, but the settings are low, which means that she is still taking most of her breaths on her own.  

I'm glad that the baby sounds great on the monitor, since it buys you time to get in that 2nd steroid shot. GL and keep us posted!