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Original poster

Waters have broken at 28 weeks - we're in America!

827 replies

Southsearocks · 28/12/2010 15:56

I've come over to the US for a two week holiday to my partner's family. No problems at all in this pregnancy (my first). Then yesterday morning the waters broke! I've been admitted to a local hospital and although me and baby are fine we'll be here for the duration. It's likely to be three months! Baby could come any time between now and full term so we're keeping everything crossed (including my legs of course) it stays in as long as possible. Either way we're not able to fly home for a looong time...

Our baby will be coming back to the UK an American citizen - how about that? Shock Grin Confused

Pray the insurance works out for us!!

OP posts:
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SoupDragon · 01/01/2011 15:06

I think Loudlass meant exactly 40 weeks too! At least according to her profile she has an 8 year old son.

FingonTheValiantReindeer · 01/01/2011 15:10

Have re-read LL's post and agree with Crispy. I think she means he was fine, and she made it to 40 weeks. I really hope so anyway, because the first time I read it I thought I was going to cry.

Southsea, I hope everything's going as well as can be for you!

CardyMow · 01/01/2011 15:11

They admitted to me afterwards that they should have done a c-section. (was to do with his position, he was B2B with his hand on his head, and came out like it OW). But TBH the MW was an evil bitch not very nice, and as it was my second DC and I was only just 20yo, she was erm...very judgy, and kept telling me that if I didn't want to be in pain, I should have kept my legs shut. Hmm. She did get disciplined though. And the main thing is that he was perfectly healthy, and is now a very strapping almost 9yo, that is 4ft8 (yes he is tall).

CardyMow · 01/01/2011 15:14

To clarify - yes, it was a 3 day labour. But it obviously hasn't put me off too much...I also have a 7yo, and am now 37+6 with dc4! And he did make it to 40 weeks in the end, even with my waters breaking at 28 weeks.

Hold on in there Southsearocks.

Original poster
Southsearocks · 01/01/2011 17:09

It's day 5!

Today I am flat on my back with the monitors on so there really is no getting up now. The doc is concerned that with so little fluid they might be missing something if I'm only monitored for 30 - 60 minutes three or four times a day. So now the monitors will be on until the night time. There is less than a couple of ml of fluid in there according to the scan but I'm hopeful it can be replenished as well. Only time can tell.

I'm lucky the nurses are SO nice and sympathetic. They really have been wonderful. The blood lady came in today and was really excited to be talking to a Brit as she's been watching The Tudors on TV - she had all kinds of questions, it was funny. I had to explain that a lot of British people, including me, are not very well up on history either!

Did everyone have a good NYE? They kept me up to see it in and I've been given a baby journal so wrote in the first entry at midnight. I have so much to say to this little one!

We don't know what we're having so that does add a bit of excitement although I've been tempted to find out.

I'm off now to look at box sets on Amazon!

Thank you all so much, talk soon xx

OP posts:
Sparklies · 01/01/2011 17:25

Whoops, sorry LL! Pregnancy brain here Blush Glad to hear it although obviously not glad it was so unpleasant!

Southsea - I had the monitors on 24/7, well, the contraction monitor, not the heartbeat one. That was just on for the amount you describe. It would be weird waking up in the morning and they'd tell me how many contractions I'd had in the night - a total contrast to the NHS where they'd just ask whether I'd thought I'd had any or not. When I was admitted at 20 weeks here in the UK they told me it's apparently "impossible" to monitor for contractions before 28 weeks in that fashion, and refused to believe I'd been on a monitor at 18 weeks for over a week Hmm

Have they interrogated you over the NHS yet? Everyone I saw could not stop asking questions about it - even the doctors - they were fascinated!! And by England as well like your blood lady, heh!

That's lovely they gave you a baby journal, awww, what a lovely idea :)

SoupDragon · 01/01/2011 17:50

Oh, the baby journal is a fab idea! You can look back with fond memories and a little jealousy on all the rest you had before the baby was born. :o

mum2JRC · 01/01/2011 17:55

Saw your post and wishing you my support Smile

Fingers crossed your baby will think its too cosy in there to come out yet and you can hold on a few more weeks.

NonnoMum · 01/01/2011 20:29

Larfing at the thought of the nurses wanting Tudor gossip. You need to make up stories, southsea, about all things British. You need to have a bit of fun. Tell 'em this babe is 207th in line to the throne or summat... Watch the monitoring get more full on then?

expatinscotland · 01/01/2011 20:32

Just double check your travel insurance, too.

We travel to the US to visit family once a year, and some policies (of course, the cheaper ones) didn't provide medical coverage in teh US or Canada.

whysolate · 01/01/2011 21:08

Out of my 3 dc's two of them were early. My DD at 28 weeks and DS2 at 30 weeks . The SCBU were like family to us and were amazing. Both happy, healthy children now.

I wish you all the best.

HermyaTheRedNosedReindeer · 01/01/2011 22:49

Hello Southsea I hope things are going well for you.

Just wanted to add to the general malay of good wishes.

CrispyTheChristmasCracker · 01/01/2011 23:06

Southsea, the baby journal sounds like a lovely idea Smile.

When i was in for (potentially) 5 weeks in the UK, the NHS was brilliant too. I think we all forget sometimes that ALL hospitals are staffed by (mostly) lovely human beings.

I really hope you don't get too bored - we played lots of cards and I got to know other patients very well and one of the MW on the evening shift would always sit and chat to us which was great.

I hope your waters do replenish to take a bit of your stress away Smile

chimchar · 01/01/2011 23:26

Wishing you and your baby lots of luck! Hope you're keeping your spirits up x

StayingFatherChristmasGirl · 01/01/2011 23:35

I don't usually come on the pregnancy threads, but yours caught my eye, southsearocks, and I hope that things are going well.

If you are going to be stuck in bed for ages, I wonder if an eReader might be a good idea - easier than getting loads of books brought in.

Anyway, I will keep my fingers crossed for you, and I hope that this thread runs for weeks before a birth announcement.

Cadmum · 02/01/2011 07:07

I am watching and hoping for a positive outcome.

You are doing brilliantly. The baby journal sounds fabulous. Try as much as possible to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Our dd2 was born in NYC and her US passport was effortless to obtain. (The photo can be from a photo booth or taken at home and there is no need for a guarantor.) Only four days from application to passport in hand!

The Canadian one on the other hand... Sheesh!

Try to remain positive. Thinking of you.

allyfe · 02/01/2011 11:58

Just to say, I have been reading and am sending you and your little bean lots of good wishes. I am also hoping for you both that it is a long thread with a birth announcement a long time into the future! I was excited for you it is already day 5!

Is your husband going to be able to stay out with you or will he have to come back to work in UK?

And do keep us posted on updates.

I have UK and US passports, it was great when I was younger, although I have never lived there. I like knowing I can if I need to!

ilovesprouts · 02/01/2011 12:11

wishing you luck

SarahScotChristmasSpirit · 02/01/2011 12:59

Just checking in to see how you're doing.

And, another positive story about a prem baby. My SIL, who is now 30 yrs old, was born at 27 weeks. MIL's waters broke 4 days before she was born so they had plenty of time to get steriods in to her. Apart from being very very small she had no problems according to MIL. I know people worry about prem babies being behind their peers, but SIL has been an early achiever throughout her life - left school a year early to go to uni, went on to do a PHD and is now a senior lecturer at a prestigeous university. The cleverest person I know in fact!

Hopefully in a year or so you'll be able to look back on this time fondly - all that rest in hotel surroundings would, in another situation, be lovely.

Mum72 · 02/01/2011 13:06

Just seen this thread. What a situation but you seem to be coping very well. I travelled abroad at 28 weeks and it did not enter my head that something like thiscould happen. Must be quite a shock for you.

No advice or tips to offer as I needed rocket fuel to shift my babies out of situ - however, I am sending you my very best wishes and hope all goes well for you and baby.

Petalouda · 02/01/2011 13:19

Hello! I've been keeping up with this thread, it's so lovely to see so many people almost cheerleading for OP! I'll add my positive vibes to the chorus!

To second SarahScot about worrying prem babies being behind - a student of mine told me before the xmas hols that he was born at 27 weeks - he's a charming & well rounded young man, about 3rd from top in my (science) class (with no evidence of extra work/revision, I might add!). I know that's only one example, but it might help.

OP: we're with you all the way. Keep hanging on - we're wishing you all the luck in the world! x

bananarama05 · 02/01/2011 13:28

Only just found this thread but wanted to wish you best of luck with everything OP and just say hang on in there :)

I was prem, not sure of exact weeks but I know it must have been around 30 and my mum had been in hospital for a while before that. I was around 3 pounds at birth and dropped down to 2 something. I was in SCBU, transferred to another hospital from our local maternity unit and was kept in for a fair few weeks.

I'm now 24, pg with my 1st dc (18 weeks), was put up a year at primary school, took my GCSE's etc early and think generally I turned out just about ok so just wanted to re-itterate it can work out all fine :)

Original poster
Southsearocks · 02/01/2011 16:46

Tears again Smile. I can't thank you all enough.

I've just been unhooked for an hour to have lunch and change position for a bit. They are really pleased with the heart beats and accelerations so that's good news. I'm feeling positive again having read your posts and stories today.

There's not much else to report but I wanted you to know I'm popping back when I can to keep you updated and to read your wonderful messages. I'm actually starting to get into the zone and time is going quicker. I'm a bit scared about the actual birth because I never got to the antinatal classes so I don't really know what to expect. I would very much like to have a vaginal birth if possible. If it looks like it's going to happen I'll be straight back here Grin!

Lunch looks as appetising as ever! Wink X

OP posts:
CrispyTheChristmasCracker · 02/01/2011 17:01

Don't worry about the ante-natal classes - i went to every one, but missed the one on CS's. I knew how to breathe and pant but no feckin clue about what a CS might involve. Obv i ended up with a CS Grin

I am sure you can google natural birth or have a read of Ina May Gaskin's book - she will put you in mind for a lovely natural birth Smile

Glad to see you still smiling. We are all cheering from across the pond!

Can you ask them for a Bear d'ya think? Wink

Jacksmama · 02/01/2011 18:43

Good morning southsea, thinking of you - how are you today?
We had an incredibly feeble NYE Blush - went to friend's for a few hours with DS (nearly 3), packed it in when he got a bit narky around 9 pm and went to sleep soon after he did. We are not exciting NYE people. :o