What can be done if waters break at 18 weeks?

[chickenrice]

Does anyone have any experience or know of someone whose waters have broken at 18 weeks? Can anything be done to help the pregnancy proceed to term or can the baby survive if the mother goes into pre-term labour? I've heard of premature babies of 28 weeks making it through but would appreciate any info anyone might have on premature rupture of membranes (PROM) under 20 weeks. Thanks

This is so sad sending love to your friend.

i have no experience of pre term labour but couldnt leave this thread without posting. i hope everything works out i am praying for your friend and her precious little one xx

I'm sorry that i haven't got any advice but i just wanted to wish your friend and her baby all the luck in the world.

Hi,

I've miscarried at 18 and 19 weeks of pregnancy. 1st time my waters broke at 18 weeks and although the baby was fine for few days afterwards, I lost it just before 19th week. I looked on the net and figured I had a condition called incompetent cervix where your cervix is too soft and opens prematurely. What they do is stitch you up at 12-14 weeks so you can last full term. I told all that to my (then) consultant who said it was nonsense and that I'd be very unlucky if that happened again... Unfortunately, we chose to trust him over our instincts and we paid the price - we lost the second baby at 19 weeks - the waters didn't break but I was in labour and 5cm dilated. Nothing they could have done at that stage. We then changed consultants who couldn't believe the other guy didn't stitch me up. With 3rd pregnancy they put the stitch in at 12 weeks and our dd is now 2.5 - healthy as cucumber. I'm sos sorry for your friend, and hope she has better news than we did - but PLEASE do look up and ask in hospital re: incompetent cervix!!!

Oh chickenrice, I'm so so sorry. What a terrible time for your friend. All my thoughts are with her and her family.