Please give me hope for 21 week PPROM / early broken waters

[Marsupilicious]

Hi MN,
I had some devastating news this week and I need hope. This is long, but please bare with and read. I really need help. I am 21 weeks pregnant - my first - and experienced my waters breaking this week.

I woke up with wetness on my legs and thought I’d wet myself, but midwife wanted to investigate and hospital confirmed it was an amniotic membrane rupture (PPROM). The consultant talked me through the poor outcomes for PPROMS prior to 24 weeks - firstly he offered me an termination by induction because at 21weeks the baby isn’t viable and likely to deliver very soon after rupture. I was admitted onto the labour ward expecting me to deliver in the first 24hrs. I held onto my stomach for the whole night begging the baby to stay in there. And they did.

I was discharged the next day, because other than antibiotics, there’s no other intervention as the pregnancy is too young. The doc said it’s likely I’ll go into labour this next week, or near future (research says 90% will within 7days post PPROMS). Before I was discharged, I got a scan which showed an active baby, lots of fluid still there for them to grow (‘normal’) and my cervix closed. This brought me some hope. I hope it will be the same for my next scan. But the research/reading online and on MN for birth outcomes for ruptured membranes at 21wks (or pre-24wks) was really bleak. This is also a really under researched area.
I’m so terrified and need some hope.

I’m now 3 days after first water break. There’s been no further leakage. I feel fine (other than terrified) and no sign of labour. My first goal is to make it through this week. Then to 24wks (age of viability) and 30 would be be a dream.

Has anybody made it through PPROM this early?
I realise this might be traumatising for people who have experienced it. I know it is or me.

Please, please can I ask that you don’t comment to say we don’t have a chance. I’m heartbroken, so deeply sad. I’ve read plenty on the poor outcomes side and need some hope to focus on.

Thank you in advance.

Big hugs to you and I'm sorry you are going through this. Unfortunately, I do not have any advice but pray that your little one hangs in tight 💜💜

I’m afraid I don’t have direct experience of PPROM. However I experienced threatened preterm birth with both my pregnancies (22 weeks and 24 weeks) and can remember the absolute terror and willing my babies to stay inside. If you can try, to take each day at a time - each day is a day closer to a positive outcome. Sending hugs and strength to you and your little one xx

Sorry I don't have any experience of this but didn't want to read and run. I'm in no way qualified to say this but I would imagine that bed rest may help. Praying for you and your baby ❤️ 🙏

No experience here either but I'm sending love and very best wishes to you and your precious baby ❤️

Thanks so much for your well wishes and taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. ❤️
@Glitterheart - it’s scary stuff, but thanks so much. It literally is day by day. Thank you

Drink plenty of fluids, keep yourself well rested, no baths - showers only, keep a close eye for signs of infection.

I believe there is a Facebook support group for PPROM.

Wishing you lots of luck and I hope that baby stays put. ❤️

Sending you much support op.
And rooting for your baby.

I had PPROM at 23 weeks and went into labour at 29 weeks. All was fine and DD is now 21. I literally did NOTHING in rose weeks. No baths, no sex, no lifting. Nothing. Sending you a hug xx

Thank you all so much for the kind and positive messages and for tips. I am resting it up, completely.
@Dontgothereagain I’m so thrilled to hear that. That’s wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Hey, I’ll keep you in my prayers. Hang in there love, our bodies are capable of doing amazing things.

This isn’t my post but someone else replied to a post that was in a similar situation to yours and they had a positive outcome. Wanted to share it with you and hope it helps you.

I had PPROM (not as early as you) but managed to hold on for several weeks until I had ELCS for other medical reasons at 32 weeks. Took the antibiotics religiously, no baths, no sex, not even walking up stairs. I just lay there and moved only enough to avoid DVT and ate well. Good luck!

I'm so sorry they have sent you home with no plan?! I was admitted to Addenbrooke's with PROMM at 25 weeks and some of the ladies had been there for weeks hanging in there. Unfortunately I developed infection and lost my baby. That's the main risk now for you is infection which can be dangerous for you both so I would be on high alert for any increase in temperature or headache etc.
I really hope your baby stays put another 3 weeks and it will be considered a viable stage to go to NICU. There's a PROMM group on Facebook I'm no longer in but might be worth you searching. So sorry you are going through this xx

I went into prem labour at 21 weeks. The baby is now 34 years old.
Wishing you the very best. Look after yourself, whatever the outcome. Hugs xxx

Not as early as you but I suffered PPROM with one of my twins at 24 weeks. She held on for 6 weeks :)

My waters started leaking at 23 weeks but after the initial gush, seemed to stop. I had some contractions and bleeding but these calmed down. I was scanned twice weekly, had weekly swabs and blood tests to check for infection and DS was finally delivered at 34 weeks. He’s out and about somewhere with a group of grumpy teenagers now. Hoping for a positive outcome for you. I remember how bleak it felt and just wanted to let you know how it worked out for us.

Thank you all so very much for your kind, kind messages and experienced. These have me in tears and really are giving me hope. I feel less alone. Thanks so very much.

Hello, so so sorry you’re going through this I know how traumatic it is. My waters broke at 17+5 weeks, my waters kept leaking and had no fluid around the baby the whole time. I made it to 31 weeks and she is now 18 months old and perfectly healthy 🙏. We did have a standard prem baby hospital experience but no worse than if my waters hasn’t broken so early.

I relied on the Facebook groups and little heartbeats, also look up the pprom regimen. Drinks lots of water, move as little as possible (I was on full bed rest) and I took magnesium tablets. Wishing you all the luck and strength in the world ❤️

So sorry this has happened. You are in a good place having not gone into labour already - it's 50% within the first 24hrs so you're on the right sides of the odds so far. My waters went at 31 and she was here the next day. You obviously know the risks but I work to support lots of NICU families and many of whom had waters go as early as you have and then made it to viability.

Are you in a tertiary centre? You will need to deliver in a tertiary nicu centre until 28weeks (look at PERIPrem resources). I would ask to speak to nicu Dr to understand their views on viability and next steps etc too.

Sending you a hug x

@Marsupilicious keeping everything crossed for you and your little one 🤞🏻💖