Water broke at 16 weeks and 4 days

[Funkybiz]

My water broke at 16 weeks 4 Days, not really sure why. I am now 19 weeks and 1 day, I have been on bedrest and drinking a ton of water. The baby is fine, right now, strong heart beat, moving, etc. My A.F. was at 3.8 the week before and 2.8 this last week. I brought up Amnioinfusion to my doctor who then proceeded to call UCSF and they said they won't do it because of risk of infection by introducing a needle. Doesn't make much sense to me, I want this procedure done, at least it would be giving my unborn a bigger chance of survival. Does anyone know how often your A.F. reaccumulates. Or know of any perinatologist that does amnioinfusion, I know it can be done I found a case in Venezula that they did serial amnioinfusion on a girl and she had a healthy baby girl.
I am scared that my fluid may not accumulate fast enough and something bad may happen, and I am really upset that I found a solution and can't find anyone tht will even try it. :(

[BumbleBena]

:hug
I'm sorry I don't know anything about amnioinfusion, but I couldn't read and not respond. You and your precious unborn baby are in my thoughts. Keep us posted on whatever happens.

[zonapellucida]

http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_4536.asp

"In the early weeks of pregnancy, amniotic fluid consists mainly of water supplied by the mother. After about 12 weeks, fetal urine makes up most of the fluid."

"Some studies also suggest that women with oligohydramnios can help increase their levels of amniotic fluid by drinking extra water"


http://www.southeastmissourihospital.com/health/peds/hrpregnant/amniofp.htm
Treatment for oligohydramnios may include:

closely monitoring the amount of amniotic fluid and frequent follow-up visits with the physician


amnioinfusion - instilling a special fluid into the amniotic sac to replace lost or low levels of amniotic fluid. Amnioinfusion is still experimental, but it may be offered during pregnancy in an attempt to help prevent pulmonary hypoplasia (underdeveloped lungs), or at delivery to help prevent compression of the umbilical cord.


http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/pregcomplications/1199460.html
During the first 14 weeks of your pregnancy, fluid passes from your circulatory system into the amniotic sac as your baby grows. Early in the second trimester, your baby starts to swallow the fluid, pass it through his kidneys, and excrete it as urine — which he then swallows again, recycling the full volume of amniotic fluid every few hours. (Yes, this means that most of the fluid is eventually your baby's urine!)

So your baby plays an important role in keeping just the right amount of fluid in the amniotic sac. Sometimes, though, this system breaks down, resulting in either too much or too little fluid — both of which can present problems.


delivery (if oligohydramnios endangers the well-being of the fetus, then an early delivery may be necessary)

[spruce]

:hug

I don't have much to offer...but IIRC, you replace your amniotic fluid every 3 hours. Keep drinking (and not JUST water, but electrolytes, herbal teas, etc.) and taking your prenatals (the Rainbow Light Prenatals are food-based and much easier to absorb, and don't cause the constipation that is so problematic with many vitamins...important for a Mama on bedrest). Stay positive, leaks can reseal. :hug

And advocate for yourself and your baby by not allowing any hands up your vagina to introduce bacteria or anything else. I can't think of a need for cervical checks that would let me allow someone to stick their fingers near my cervix when I had a ruptured amniotic sac...

You are in my thoughts, Mama. :hug

Love, Penelope

[~*Danielle*~]

Oh sweetie you are in my prayers!!

[Funkybiz]

Thanks for all the support, I am trying to stay strong and pray for the best I just get scared all the time, I am sad ALL the time. My 3 year old woke up this morning and pushed my blankets back so he could say good morning to his brother and give him kisses and tell him that he loves him. THat is so hard for me, cause i have no idea what to tell him if something happens, he has been waiting for this.
I just want this all to work out. I lay in bed or on the couch all day/night long. I don't think I am leaking anymore but I didn't think that the week before and she found less fluid, though I know she didn't look as hard as she did the week before either.
Like I said before the amnioinfusion thing really bothers me, its been done before just not here and they won't even try it, and I don't understand why. They are suppose to be a school, where you learn new things, ya know what I mean. :o
Well I amgoing to go eat...check back in a bit

[pamamidwife]

I personally wouldn't risk amnioinfusion. Your body is making plenty of fluid all the time. every hour, you have all new fluid. amnioinfusion is not done like an amniocentesis.

it's done by inserting a catheter up inside your vagina into your uterus. This increases the risk of infection GREATLY.

I wouldn't risk my health or the life of my baby with that procedure. It's not safe at all at this point. It wouldnt' make any difference. Just focusing on your bag resealing and your baby growing beautifully will help. :hug

[Funkybiz]

I wouldn't never think about doing an amnioinfusion transcervical right now, but they do do it transadominal, just like amniocentisis.

http://www.thefetus.net/page.php?id=390

that was what I was looking into. That was all, I have been drinking a ton of fluid, bedrest and am just worried it won't reaccumulate enough. That is all.

[pamamidwife]

you definitely will keep making more fluid. definitely. however, anything entering your uterus, either vaginally or abdominally, will put your baby at greater risk.

here's hoping that your bag re-seals. I'm sorry you're going through this.

[Funkybiz]

I am hopeful that I will reaccumulate more fluid, but I am really scared, I drink so much water, I feel I am going to float away. :LOL And I am serious when I say that, I've been drinking anywhere from 1 gallon to 2 gallons a day, and more today!
And it so hard to get bedrest at my house, and it is nobody's fault really, my 3 year old doesn't understand why I can't be his full time Mommy. I tell him the doctor said I have to stay in bed, and he tells me "Mommy, the doctor said you can get up, Come look". I have a 16 y/o who just broke his ankle, and I can't help him, my 14 y/o has been doing alot, but I don't like laying all of that on her either. And my significant other has been doing alot as well, cooking, cleaning, working (construction), shopping and complaining alot, I said welcome to my world :wink I used to do it all and work 12 hour days and commute and hour and a half each way to get there and do everything else. So again welcome to my world.
I will keep posting cause I like to hear from people, since all I can really do is watch TV and play on my computer.
Thanks All

[lovnbnhome]

Are there any herbs or teas that you might be able to take to help the bag seal up?

I know that eating a well balanced diet in (and lots of fluid that you are already getting) helps to strengthen the bag of waters.

I'm sorry that you are going through all of this. (((hugs)))

[nydiagonz]

Sorry about the bed-rest. I was only on bed-rest for a few weeks, and that seemed like alot. When I was in the hospital my roommate was in a similar situation. Her water broke at something like 22 weeks and she had been in the hospital up to 25.5 weeks. I ended up leaving and I don't know what happened, but she and the baby seemed to be doing well (better than me :( ). It must be so difficult with a family. I wish you lots of strength and patience, because hopefully you will have at least 20 or so more weeks left before your little one makes their appearance.

[busybusymomma]

Oh hugs! Definitely focus on good nutrition (hard to do I know, especially when on bedrest) and I ditto Spruce's recommendation for Rainbow Light prenatals.

Hoping and :1praying: that your water will seal back up and baby will keep making plenty of amniotic fluid!

[Eggie]

:heartbeat :1praying:

[Our2Girlz]

I wil be sending stay put baby vibes your way along with seal leak vibes.

I was gonna tall you to drink more water but it seems youve already been told that. I hope this has the best outcome.

Take Care

[Breathless Wonder]

I just wanted to let you know you will be in my thoughts. Hoping everything stays stable. :Hug

[Plady]

Just wanted to add my hopes that everything turns out for the best.

[tryingitnatural]

:hug

[sewingbarbj]

Good luck mom! I am sending you my prayers.

[Artisan]

I wanted to send my good wishes as well. :hug

[aweynsayl]

Hugs and positive vibes!!!!

[Funkybiz]

Went to the doctors today, heartbeat was strong. he kicked or hit the doppler when she was trying to hear the heartbeat, that was funny. Going to ultrasound appointment tomorrow.
:0)

[aweynsayl]

YAYYYY!!!!!!!!! xxoo

[mom2a2z]

:hug So glad you had a good appointment!

[Funkybiz]

Went to doc, heartbeat was strong, he kicked the doppler when she was lookin for the heartbeat, she and I both felt it. Going to ultrasound tech today and see how the water has accumulated. I have been drinking so much water like 2 to 3 gallons a day, I am hopeful.

[AngelBee]

I will be praying for you and baby. :love

Good luck on your ultrasound!!!

[Funkybiz]

Well nothing I didn't expect came out of the visit to UCSF, all negative, are you sure you want to keep it, you are optimistic. O well not all negative, um, through the ultrasound they found that it doesn't appear anything to do with the baby caused my water to break. My A.F. had increased, it was at 3.2 on Wednesday and 4.31 on Friday. So that is a good sign as far as I am concerned. They told me i was very optimistic, I am thinking if my baby wanted to go anywhere he would do so. My fluid is increasing, slowly but surely, we saw the stomach and bladder last Wednesday, which we didn't see the week before which means he is swallowing now. So that too is a good sign. They may admit me to UCSF at 25 weeks, not sure yet though.
Thats all for now

[Our2Girlz]

sending stay put baby vibes!!! Sounds like things are getting better though Good Luck

[ThatLinGirl]

Sending you some good vibes! :hug

[Mytwokids]

Sending you good keeping baby inside vibes. A friend of mine had her water break at 18 weeks and she made it until 30 weeks. Her dd was in the NICU for a while but is now a BIG happy healthy 4 year old. Just continue doing what your doing as it seems to be working. Wishing you the best. Micky

[Funkybiz]

The ultrasound went good, definately know it is a boy now! So his name is Kaden Charles. I had 5cm of fluid today which means it is replenishing. Yeepee!!! I am happy, very happy. My 3 year old went with me today and was happy to see what he could of his brother on the "TV" as he put it. I am happy today. :0)

[Zus]

That is wonderful! I hope things will keep going well!!

[Aurora]

Great news! :hug

[Wugmama]

Wonderful!!!! :thumb

[wende]

I am so happy for you!!!

[citizenfong]

I have known of a couple of women who've had good results with taking big doses of, I think it was Vit. C, to help their bodies reseal the bag. Maybe you could do a little research on that.

Also, how wonderful that your older children are getting this opportunity to learn firsthand how satisfying it can be to make sacrifices for something important, for someone you love. Not to mention the chance to practice housekeeping and childcare skills that will surely benefit them as adults! :thumb

[lovnbnhome]

Great news!!!! I'm keeping you in my thoughts! Keep us updated! :D

[Funkybiz]

Went to get another ultrasound today. Baby is still growing great, he is right where he is suppose to be, the ultrasound has him at about 1lb 2oz. Water is still about at 5, he is kicking me to death. I go to UCSF again on Friday, so we will see how things go there. I just keep praying.

[AngelBee]

:1praying:

[Katt2005]

Sending you positive thoughts and many prayers. I'm glad things are looking better and that you are happy. Stay happy and healthy mama! :heartbeat

[Boobiemama]

Thats great you are doing well! I keep coming here to read your updates.
How many weeks are you now?

[Funkybiz]

Well i went to UCSF yesterday and I have lost alot of water again back down to 2.4 cm. I have had a rough week and it was hard to stay on bed rest, but I am back on it completely again! And drinking a ton more water. I knew I was leaking, it seems like maybe a small one and it is pooling and then coming out all at once every couple days, but I don't know. I am just hoping he is drinking what I do have in there. They are admitting me on 10/28 into the UCSF. I am scared and worried but I think I will be able to get through it. I am just hoping everything is ok with the baby, cause we are not out of harms way yet. But I also refuse to terminate my pregnancy, they keep asking me that. And that has got to be the hardest thing to hear. He is growing and doing everything he is suppose to be doing, so it is hard for me to even consider that. If you dont' hear from me for awhile that is because I have been admitted and have no access, bt will let you know as soon as I do.

[AngelaB]

Thinking about you and hoping you are well.

[CarolynnMarilynn]

Oh Mama,

You are doing such a good job! Keep up the good work. Sending healthy baby vibes your way!

[wheezie]

*lurking* Just wanted to let you know you and Kaden are in my thoughts and prayers. :hug

[spruce]

:hug

I'm hoping you're doing well and that life isn't too stressful...stay, put, baby, and keep well, Mama!! :)

Love, Penelope

[Funkybiz]

My baby is here. His name is Kaden Charles and he was born 25 weeks gestation. He is 1 lb 11 oz and 12 inches long. He is in the hospital still and will be there for about 10 weeks, maybe 11. They are trying to wean him off his breathing machine, so far everything looks great. His EKO scan of his brain was good. He had a valve the was open and they gave him medicine to close it and it worked. He is eating his breast milk through a tube right now, but he is eating. It is really hard cause I am 3 hours away from him and calling just sucks, I would rather be there in person with him 24 hours a day but there is no where for me to stay right now. I willcome back and post more, but I just wanted to let everyone know what was going on, since I haven't posted recently.
O I might as well tell you what happened to get him here so early too. I was in UCSF, and I thank God everyday I was, cause I wasn't suppose to be, I was suppose to be admitted the day after he was born, but I chose to be admitted a week early. Everything was going good, I had been there for 6 days. I got up to go to the bathroom and I started bleeding. They all rushed in and put me on the monitor and the ultrasound machine. Everything looked fine, but he had flipped himself into the correct position and was no longer breech and with no amniotic fluid we found that odd, but he had done it. But everything looked fine. So they kept me on bedrest for a few hours and kept checking my bleeding, it appreared to have stopped. Well later I went to the restroom again and started bleeding again more. They rushed in again and at that point I had the monitor on but I couldn't find his heart rate, they rushed in and tried finding it and put me back on the ultrasound, I knew before they said anything cause his heartrate was irregular and slow. Next thing I know I was being rushed in for a crash C. It was scary. It seems that when he flipped himself with no water he kicked my placenta and started it to abrupt.
His pics are located on my personal journal at http://pugsley111277.home.mchsi.com

[Hollin]

Kaden is so tiny and perfect! I'm glad to hear that he's doing well, but it must be hard to have your little on in the hospital so far away. That's awesome that you're still able to give him breastmilk, though. One of my best friends was born at 25 weeks and was the exact same weight as your son! Congratulations and I hope everything continues to just get better and better and Kaden gets to go home with mommy and daddy soon!

[kidbound]

Congrats!! And good luck!

[peilover010202]

Congrats and good luck!

[iris0110]

Congrats on your little fighter. May he stay stong and come home before you know it. You and he have really fought for this.

[amygoforth]

Welcome to the world, beautiful boy. Stay strong and fight your way out of that place and back to your mamma.

You stay strong too, Funkybiz. You are a powerful woman. I'm thinking of you.

[lilsishomemade]

Oh my goodness, he was born exactly when my oldest turned 3!!! :) He is so perfect, I'm glad to hear he is doing very well. I'm also happy to hear you're able to give him breastmilk, he needs it more than ever right now! Take it easy, mama, and congrats!

[busybusymomma]

Congrats and best wishes! So great that he's getting mother's milk, he especially needs it to grow so he can come home to mommy. Soooo tiny. :dropjaw :love

Take care of yourself too!

[Birth Junky]

:balloons WELCOME, KADEN! :balloons

[Lousli]

Congratualtions on the arrival of your precious son! I'm glad he stayed in there for a little longer! He looks like he's pretty strong for such a little guy. I know you must be going through a whirlwind of emotions right now. I am going to suggest that you really try to take care of yourself right now, as that can get lost in all that you will want to be doing for your son. Also, you may find it useful to get a copy of the book "Preemies"(don't know the author) or "The Premature Baby Book" by Dr. Sears. I found that these helped answer a lot of our questions. There is a support thread over in birth and beyond for parents of preemies and NICU babes. When you have time, you might want to check it out. Mine were not nearly as early as yours, but I do know what it is like to have a little one in the NICU that you are wanting desperately to bring home. Feel free to PM me any time. Hugs to you mama.

[AAK]

Congrats! It is funny, I was thinking about you recently. . .I saw a baby at church who was 3 months old, but was born at 25 weeks too! He is doing well but seeing him made me curious as to whatever happened to you. Thanks for the update. Keep up the good work!

Amy

[babacyd]

Wow, he looks so tiny and sweet. I wish you both the best and hope he will be home very soon.

[Spark]

:balloons Welcome little Kaden! :balloons

Wishing you both a full and complete healing!

[granolamom]

Kaden, sending you and your mommy healing/growing prayers.

[MrsMoe]

Is there a Ronald McDonald house near where he is? A friend of mine stayed there while her daughter was at All Children's undergoing major surgery.

[Unreal]

He is absolutely beautiful :love

My cousin was born at 22 weeks 15 years ago. He (and my aunt) went through so much, but he is doing so awesome now. He gets A's in school, takes Karate, flirts with all the girls...is an all around great kid :)

I'm sure that all seems like it is a billion years off from now--but hang in there mama--you are doing an awesome job :Hug

[lunamegn]

Hey Mama ~ Congrats on your beautiful baby. When I saw the pictures I cried - it hits close to home and I can relate on some level to what you're going through. My babe, Joaquin, was in the hospital for 1 1/2 months. He was born at 35 weeks and then had additional kidney problems. His lungs weren't ready when he was born and he was on a ventilator for about two weeks... could have been more. It's all so clouded now. We were at Lucille Packard Children's HOspital at Stanford in Palo Alto, CA. Didn't you meet a social worker while you were there? I really feel like you should have. You shouldn't have to be three hours away from your little one... it's so important that you are there with him. You are essential to his healing, girl. I really feel like Joaquin got better so quickly becuase we were able to be there at his bedside every day - and my man and I are young kids who by no means have a lot of money.... but we made it work. You are part of his care team - he needs you to support him and touch him and to feel your presence to know that everythings alright. I don't know your situation and I hope that I'm not making you feel bad, but I just feel like the hospitaland its staff should be more accomodating to you. They KNOW that parents are so so so important in the health and healing of little babies.

While I was there for almost three months we stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Palo Alto. It's $10 a night or less if you can't swing that. Insurance might even pay for your stay - I heard some families mention it. It's a really nice place to stay and I even made some friends. Never in a million years did I imagine myself staying a Ronald McDonald house, but it was so helpful that it was there, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to afford to stay in hotels for that long.

If you have any questions or want to talk or anyhting just get ahold of me. I'm thinking aobut you and your little one and your family and sending positive healing energy to ALL of you.

Much Love.

[starlein26]

wow, congrats! i wish you and your sweet son the very best! may he come home with you real soon! :love

[thepeach80]

Congrats! Definitely check out the Ronald McDonald House option. My friend stayed there a long time when her 24wker was born. Her dd weighed in at a hefty 20# at her first birthday! :lol One of my favorite 3yo at work was 1#14oz at birth. She's beautiful and has the most personality I've ever seen in a toddler. Good luck!

[radicalmama]

I've been lurking on this thread and just wanted to say how wonderful it is that your son is doing so well! I'm so glad you were such an "optimistic" and persistant mama! He was obvioulsy meant to be here.

Congratulations!

p.s.
my DP wrote a song for his aunt when her son was born prematurely called you were meant to hold him...I would love to find a way to send it to you!

[Skrimpy]

He is just beautiful. I'm praying for you and your little fighter. I hope that you are able to find a way to be by his side.

[mamacatsbaby]

What a beautiful, sweet baby! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers Mama. :hug

[ryleeee]

oh gosh. he's so perfect.
i almost started to cry.

[MrsMoe]

Anxiously awaiting an update... how is he doing? :hug

[heatherzenzen]

SO sweet and tiny! He will be in my prayers. Stay strong, mama!

[its_our_family]

He is such a fighter.

HOw are you doing? Were you able to find a way to stay closer?

[lawgrrl]

First, and most importantly, a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of your beautiful son!

Second, let me welcome you to the world of the preemie-mama - from one of them. It can be a scary and devastating place to be early on. My son Henry was born by emergency cesarean at 30 weeks, 1 day gestation and weighed 1240 grams (approx. 2.5 lbs). But these tiny people are truly amazing. Today he is a normal-in-every-way three year old. He rode a two-wheeler for the first time yesterday and I cried right there in Toys-R-Us when my husband said, "can you believe that that was our tiny little baby boy?"

I know so well the trauma that your family is enduring now and my heart goes out to you. :heartbeat The NICU experience can be so overwhelming. Someone once compared the journey to a roller coaster ride and it is so true. It is much more than just "ups and downs."

In short I will say, it is very important for you to take care of yourself and your own health. Be with your child as much as you can and trust the nurses to take care of your baby when you're not there. Henry's NICU nurses were some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They earned my respect and enduring gratitude - forever.

One important reason to take care of yourself is to keep up your milk supply. Breastmilk is absolutely critical for a preemie! Our neonatologists told us that the composition of breastmilk for a premature infant is different than bm for a full-term baby. I can't remember exactly how, whether it is higher in protein or in fat or what, but in any case, it is specially formulated for your baby and will contribute in a major way to your son's health.

The other thing that I highly recommend is to educate yourself immediately about all of the medical issues that may be encountered by a premature infant. The book _Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies_ by Dana Wechsler Linden et al was our primary reference guide, along with a few other books. I felt better when I knew of all of the possibilities and could discuss all of what was happening with the neonatalogists and other medical professionals. On the other hand, my husband did not want to know about the potentially negative things that could happen. He preferred to just "stay positive." But he would ask me questions about things that came up and I think he took comfort knowing that I had done the reading/research and knew what was going on.

I will be thinking about your family and sending positive energy your way. Your son, like mine and like many preemie babes, fought so hard to enter this world and will fight to stay here. They are truly amazing, these tiny, tiny beings. They teach us so much.

If you are interested, you can watch Henry's journey from NICU to today at www.verhoeven.us/henry

[Awaken]

Just stumbled across this thread. I want to add my good wishes to all the others and hope your baby boy is thriving and growing stronger every day on your milk! I hope you can find some way to be near him. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.