Waters broke at 27 weeks

[ELM]

My waters broke at 27 weeks, the Tuesday before last. I was admitted to hospital for a weeek, thankfully I have not shown any signs of labour, or of infection. I have been released home, on antibiotics now, have to monitor my temperature and pulse and go in for check-ups 2-3 times a week. I've been told that if I make it to 36 weeks without signs of infection (or going in to labour!!!!)they will induce (Christmas baby then!) Of course we are just hoping that the baby stays where he is til then.

Would love to hear if anybody has had, knows anyone, or is going through the same thing........ also any advice/experiance on premature babies would be much appreciated....
Emma

I started going into labour at 25 weeks and was admitted to hospital on a drip for 3 weeks to stop it. They gave me injections to speed up the development of the babys lungs. At 35 weeks my waters broke and there was no going back apparently, but luckily DS1 was fine, just a bit of jaundice and some overly cautious pedeatricians. This was when I was living in Germany and had DS1. I moved back to Australia and fell pregnant with DS2 and was told that if the same thing happened with that pregnancy that they would probably deliver the baby instead of halting the labour, which I naturally found very disturbing. So with DS2 I was seeing a Naturopath and having acupuncture to help me to go to term which I did. Conventional medicine offered me nothing which I found unacceptable as they are happy to tell you that you have a 30% chance of having your second baby premmie if your first one was.

Anyway I would recommend avoiding stress and taking it really really easy and if it is within your means seeking some alternative medicine support.

My SIL's waters broke at 24 weeks. They gave her steroid injections for 24 hours to develop the baby's lungs. Unfortunately, the couldn't stop her going into labour. That was last year, my neice is now 14 months and perfectly healthy. You are already a few weeks further on and showing no signs of labour or infection, which is great. Just wanted you to know that if you do go into labour there is loads they can do. I hope it goes well for you.

When I was having ds, now neally 4, I had a friend who was pg at the same time. She was 8 weeks behind me though. Her waters broke at 28 weeks. She too was given the steroids and on bed rest. Not allowed to go swimming or have sex, but they managed to hold the labour off 4 more weeks. She had a tiny baby girl naturally at 32 weeks, the baby spent 3 weeks in scbu but is now a very lively healthy even nearlyier? 4yr old. She was 8 weeks behind me but her babe was born 3 weeks before mine.

Good luck with whatever comes your way.

Thanks guys,it makes it easier knowing that others have gone throug the same thing.

I've had the steroids too....which I know helps a lot.

No advice ELM just thinking of you and hoping little one holds on till just before xmas[while am excited about jan baby having DD in dec last yr was great]

did they say if it was the fore or hind waters ? I have a feeling I have heard that the fore waters can go and then the break seals up and the water builds up again.

My cousins LO was born at 25 weeks and is now walking , talking, developing normally and seems fine....so it does give hope if your LO makes an early appearance....

the waters to replenish themselves throughout pregnancy..and every day your LO stays in utero is a benefit to his / her development........

take it easy....look after yourself....and fingers and everything crossed you make it to 36 weeks!

I started having contractions (and a show) at 27 weeks and went into hospital - had steroids, drip etc - I came home after about a week and had to have total bed rest - contractions didn't really ease up but waters broke at 31 weeks and gave birth to a very healthy and happy now 3 year old who is watching Toy Story and waiting (not so patiently) to go and see the fireworks...

Good luck and stay calm.

My waters went at nearly 30 weeks; I had antibiotics and steroids and bed-rest, and hung on until 38 weeks. Then a bit of a drama because my placenta failed (I don't know if this was connected though) and an emergency c/s. DS perfectly fine!

Hang on as long as you can and make sure you are monitored. Count movements in the later weeks and, if they decrease, insist on going in to be checked.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for the messages...yesterday was 29 weeks, and every day at the moment feels like an achievement.
I think it was the forewaters throckenholt, although I am still leaking (sorry TMI!)however in the last scan the fluid levels were low, but still within acceptable parameters.
Have an appointment with my consultant this afternoon, so hopefully will find out a lot more.
Thanks again, Emma

let us know how it goes!

Just thought I would update...Have spent another week in hospital after another 'gush' but luckily no signs of infection or labour. Keeping fingers (and legs) crossed that this baby will stay where he is for a while longer!

hi elm just wondered if when ur waters went it was leaking or a big gush?? have had a leak i think and wondered if it could actually be anything else. would be so grateful if you could let me know what happened to u thanks xxx

Hi bubblebell1,

I had a 'gushing' sensation, but didn't actually lose that much water (no dramatic big puddles on the floor thank goodness!).
Other things that can leak are urine, (this can commonly be mistaken for amniotic fluid leaking) and an increase in vaginal discharge... Sorry if TMI!!
The sac that holds the amniotic fluid in my case has developed a small rupture, meaning that the I lost a bit of water with a rush (the fluid that gets trapped between the cervix and the babies head) and now leak only when the baby moves, which allows more water in to that gap. Sorry if too gross!
Anyway I would say definitely get it checked out if you are worried, because the risk of infection or early labour is increased.
I was in complete denial (thinking I had wet myself!) but they can confirm that you are leaking water by doing an interal examination.
bit of a gross question, but what colour of fluid are you leaking? Normal amniotic fluid is clear, yellow/green/black/pink can all be signs of infection or that the baby is in distress.
Get it checked out, if only to reassure yourself.

thanks elm fluid was clear with mucus on top. went in for a check and they dont think its amniotic fluid but have to moniter it and go back. mine didnt gush at all and i def agree with the urine and discharge more than likely to be that thanks hope all is weel your end

My waters broke at about 31 weeks, the hospitak didn't believe me at first and I had to catch some of the ever leaking fluid and take it in to them. I was then put on pretty mush the same timetable as you and had steroid injections to speed up the growth of DS's lungs.

I was booked to go in one I reached 36 weeks but DS made an appearance at 34.5 weeks, the birth was perfect and he came out fit and well even though he had had no water around him for a few weeks.

It will be a little irritating for you all the extra check ups, but I am sure you will be fine relax and enjoy every last day you have.

Oh sorry forgot to say when they finally agreed my waters had gone they scanned me and found no fluid around DS at all. I did however keep "dribbling" because the body keeps trying to make more fluid or so they said.