Just sending you a handhold and a strong
.
Almost a year ago (25th April) I was in a similar situation. My waters went at 26 weeks, and I was in early labour. There was lots of bleeding.
I had the two steroid injections, antibiotics and when I had the start of contractions, was started on a magnesium sulfate drip. This is a neuroprotective drug (reduced the risk of a bleed on baby's brain) but also has the welcome side effect of frequently slowing or stopping contraction. It makes you feel WEIRD though.
If your waters do go prematurely, then 50% of women will have their baby in the next 48 hours. 75% of women will have had their baby within two weeks.
Have you had a visit from the NICU team yet? Once me and baby had been stabilised, we had a visit from a NICU doctor and nurse, to explain what would happen if my baby was born imminently. They have me the chance to ask questions. For example, before 35 weeks, most babies won't scream when they are born. Also, before 36 weeks, babies are unable to suckle properly to feed.
I'm a researcher by nature, so I read as much about what could happen as possible, but I realise that not everyone wants to do that.
I was eventually allowed home after about 5 days in hospital (during the first lockdown), as we live within about 5 mins of the hospital. I then had to go in for twice weekly observations.
Over then next 7 weeks, I had 5 more admissions for bleeds (they were worried about the placenta detaching), and after a particularly big bleed, was induced at 34 weeks exactly.
My DS was born screaming, at 34w 1d, and spent 15 days in NICU. He needed tube feeding, and antibiotics, but was always able to breathe on his own. I've never met kinder staff than those on NICU.
I was able to stay with my DS, in a little 'travelodge' like room provided by the hospital, and when we left hospital, DS was exclusively breastfed.
Even if you are not planning on breastfeeding, once your baby is here, it is really worth trying to hand express colostrum (ideally you need to start within a couple of hours of the birth, although I started about 6 hours later). Any tiny drops can be collected in a syringe, and fed to baby. As they will be premature, the antibodies and nutrients in the colostrum are of even more importance to baby.
I'm sorry this has turned into such an essay! Whilst our situations are different, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. A work friend had the same happen, labour couldn't be stopped, and her DD was born at 26 weeks. It was a long journey, but she came home around her due date, and is thriving now.
My DS is 9 months old, and is currently eating me out of house and home!!