Seeking Experience and Answers with Premature Water Break at 26 Weeks

Hi,

This sounds like such a difficult situation, and I'm sorry you're going through it. I don't have experience with anything like this, but I was reading something the other day about breastfeeding premature babies. I just wanted to be sure you knew that should your baby be born early, you can definitely breastfeed, and this is best for your baby, like medicine, really. Depending on how early he might be born, the baby may not be able to suckle, but you can pump, and I guess the milk is given through a tube.

You may need to be proactive about this in the hospital. You can contact your local La Leche League for support on this, but just know that you can do it. In addition to being what your baby needs now, pumping like this will allow your milk supply to be ready for when the baby can nurse directly.

I'll be thinking about you. Peace,
R.

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i was in nursing on a mother baby unit for years and i also saw many woman in your same situation. every day that you can keep baby in the better. they are absolutely right not to check you for dilation, because your bag of fluids is what prevents uterine infections once you dilate. contractions are normal because your uterus is irritated from lack of fluid. i know it is hard, but you have got to stay in that bed. at 26 weeks, your baby would be very sick if born now. 30 weeks is much better. i think 30 weeks is a good starting goal. if you make it to thirty weeks, every week after that is gravy. any time before 34 weeks and your baby is sure to be in the nicu for at least a week.

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Hi, i dont have much advise for you because i havent been in that exact position but i wanted to tell you that i had my daughter at 29 weeks, BUT i had severe pre ecclampsia and HELLP syndrome. i was 29 weeks yes but her size was that of a 23 week gestation, VERY SMALL. she only weighed 1 lb 5 1/2 oz. and was 12 inches long.. she did stay in the NICU for 75 days. Now she is 8 years old and you would never believe she was that little when she was born. So my advise to you is that it is very possible for your baby to be fine. with the technology today anything is possible. Good luck my dear and i hope everything turns out great for you.

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Hi C.,

I gave birth to identical twin boys (that were in separate sacs with separate placentas) at 29 weeks 2 days. My water broke on Baby A's sac at 26 weeks. I was on complete hospital bedrest until I gave birth. My boys weighed 3lb 3oz 17 1/2 inches and 3lbs 2oz 15 1/2 inches. Their biggest problems were with breathing. They were in the NICU for 64 days and came home at 37 weeks weighing 6lbs and 7lbs. They are 8 months old now (5 1/2 months adjusted) and are doing well. The NICU can be a little overwelhming, but a lot of the babies do go home healthy. Keep up the good work on the bedrest. I would be happy to answer any other questions you have.

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I am the mom to preemie girls my oldest was born at 29 wks and my younger was born at 24 wks. My 29 wker spent only 6 weeks in the hospital and did very well during her stay, and is an active 7yr old. My 24 wker had the big scary 2 and half month stay with many ups and downs but she is now a spitfire 5yr old and runs our house.
Yes the nicu is scary but you just gain this inner strength as your baby's mom and you "will" them your strength.
Heather

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Hi C., I am a proud Mother of 3 children...All of which tried to come out too early. My oldest, I was on bedrest for 4 weeks at home. My second, I was on bedrest for 7 weeks in the hospital and my youngest I was on bedrest for 14 weeks! The bedrest thing really sucks but you HAVE TO DO IT! I am also a labor and delivery nurse and the doctors can do some miraculous things these days! You are probably on Magnesium which really sucks! Take your meds, drink your water, keep your bed and pads clean! The longer you keep your baby inside the better! Set a goal of 30 wks then add a week each time you reach that goal! Get a hobby! Read a lot, Crosstitch, Whatever you can think of to keep you in that bed! Catch up on all those movies you have been wanting to watch! Try to remember there IS a light at the end of this tunnel and it will be your beautiful son!

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My best friend had the same problem. They had to keep stopping her labor, she had to stay in bed for 6 weeks. Her son was still born 8 weeks early. He was small, and was in the NICU for a while, but he's a full grown 10 year old brat now! LOL! Just hold on as long as you can. It sucks I know.
Good luck!

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Hi C., Congratulations on your pregnancy! Every day your little fellow stays put gives him strength for the days to come. So hang in there, and keep your mind occupied with TV, journaling, magazines, visit and calls. It's just downright boring and difficult, but worth the wait. On the other hand, the birth will probably come before you're ready, so don't let yourself feel guilty--some factors are just beyond anyone's control. I'm a retired neonatal nurse, and I've seen some amazing kids--look tiny and unprepared for life, but strong! God bless you and your hubbie. D.

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I don't have any personal experience, but a friend of mine had her water break at 26 weeks with twins. She was also on bedrest at the hospital, and went into labor at 28 weeks. It was very scary for her, but both of her boys are now doing very well. Hang in there!

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I can tell you that the longer they can keep the little guy in there, the better chance he has of making it. Generally, they do not like to see a baby come out before 34 weeks. Every day you can keep him in there, the better chance he has.

The doctors can give you drugs to help keep the contractions down and to help his lungs develop more quickly. Since your membranes have already ruptured, it is unlikely they will be able to delay labor for long.

At 24 weeks, a premature baby has about a 50% chance of surviving, with a long NICU stay and probable life-long complications. These issues decrease as each week, and even day passes. I wish you and your little one the best.

Here is some information from Wikipedia:

The earliest gestational age at which the infant has at least a 50% chance of survival is referred to as the limit of viability[6]. As NICU care has improved over the last 40 years, viability has reduced to approximately 24 weeks, although rare survivors have been documented as early as 21 weeks.[7] As risk of brain damage and developmental delay is significant at that threshold even if the infant survives, there are ethical controversies over the aggressiveness of the care rendered to such infants. The limit of viability has also become a factor in the abortion debate.

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My daughter ws born at 26 weeks ,My water broke at 21 weeks. My daughter weighed 2 lbs 10 ozs and was 11 inches long . She stayed at the hospital for 8 weeks until she got up to 4.5 lbs ,She came home on a respiration monitor and luckily we only had it for 3 or 4 weeeks. She is now 14 years old and is a normal healthy teenager, The most important thing I can tell you is that when your baby is home and healthy don't let anyone tell you that he will be behind or slow I had people tell me that about my daughter and refused to believe them and Like I said I now have a healthy 14 yr old girl that is normal and healthy . Just love your child and don't listen to everyone when they try to tell you anything otherr than what abeautiful child you have .Good luck and Best wishes with your baby

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Here is a story for you to read: a woman's water broke at 31 weeks and she refused induction and had her baby naturally 4 weeks later: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=105...

It's possible for a break to heal itself (depending on the size -- most small leaks do reseal); however, your body continues to manufacture amniotic fluid until the baby is born.

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My water broke when I was 29 weeks. They gave me a shot of steroids for his lungs. They put me on bed rest but by the 5th day I had contractions. I started bleeding and I had an emergency C-section. So he was born at 30 weeks. He was breach and 2 lbs 11 1/2 oz. He is going to be 14 on April 10. He is doing wonderful. He doesn't really have any problems. He does wear glasses but so do alot of people. He has allergy related asthma. But other than being a little guy he is great. Technology has come a long way even in the past 14 years. My advice would be to listen to the doctors and stay in bed, try to relax (which I know is VERY hard) and I prayed and talked to the lord ALOT. Alot of people who have twins are born early. My son was so little they laid him on top of the diaper, he ate through a tube in his nose, I did breast feed for 2 months, and the preemie cloths they had where to big. But none the less he is perfect as far as I am concerned.

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