Ruptured membranes - very low fluid - not sure what to do

[Worriedandunsurewhattodo]

I am 21+4wks pregnant (my third baby). At 18wks I woke with a big gush of leaking clear fluid. I went straight to hospital. Had a scan and speculum and everything seemed fine.

I was given the okay to go home but had a funny turn and was admitted with an (undiagnosed) infection and went home after two days. The infection could be what caused me to leak.

Since then I have been in with leaking and then blood loss. Again no concerns with the speculum.

I had my 21wk scan on Tuesday. My fluid levels were below 1.5. I was sent to maternity and whilst I was waiting I had lower abdominal pain and a substantial amount of blood loss. A speculum showed I was leaking from the cervix and the doctor said she was sorry. I stayed that night due to blood loss and was moved to delivey suite.

The bleeding stopped and after my second night there they sent me home. I had a scan yesterday with a fetal medicine specialist. The fluid levels were the same. Membranes ruptured. She said baby can't develop properly and I will likely go into labour. Baby is not viable yet. She offered termination where I take a hormone tablet first so my body doesn't fight against labour once I'm induced 48hrs later.

I asked what would happen if we made it to 24wks and she basically said he would likely have severe problems and a slim chance of survival.

I'm home now. Still bleeding every now and then and will go in if it becomes an active bleed again. I know I may go into labour anytime. But I'm not sure I can force labour. I will be 22wks when I give birth if I opt to take the tablet and be induced. His heartbeat has always been strong when they've checked.

If I don't go to the hospital for the hormone tablet then I will have another scan Monday afternoon. I'm sure it will be exactly the same as yesterday.

I'm not sure I can terminate my little baby boy.

Has anyone been in this situation? Please share your stories. Thank you

This post makes me so sad. I hope you are keeping ok sending my best wishes! What an awful position to be in. 💐💐 love and hugs!

I'm very sorry to hear that OP

In your shoes I think I would ask them to be honest with you about what fluid is there (if there is no fluid, or if there is a little and it may build up) as with none the lungs just can't develop past the date that the fluid went; and if the cervix is closed or not. If there was any way of making things work out, they should consider steroids and giving you an idea of the time at which neonatal team might attend a delivery and see how things are - usually this is 23 or 24 weeks.

In terms of risk to you there is the risk of infection in your womb and your bloodstream and risk of bleeding problems. However if they are monitoring you now this risk is at least controlled to an extent.

If you get to the point of having to make a decision to induce delivery/end things, please remember you're not choosing for it to happen; this is a process which has happened to you which you have had no control over at all and have done everything to hold on to and turn around. Much like when people have to switch off a machine, it's because the disease has progressed so much that it would not be compatible with life/recovery. I am sorry if that sounds weird but from personal experience Ive found it helpful to remember it's the pathology that has caused the chain of events, with an outcome which may be inevitable.

I'm still keeping everything crossed for you that this is a case where things can settle and you can progress with monitoring. But I think it's good to be aware of the risks and good you are now in a place where you can be monitored for concerning signs until you stabilise.
Best wishes

I hope things are getting better for you OP

Have you asked for a second opinion ? Maybe from a specialist hospital ?