Pregnancy Update - 22 weeks & my water broke!

 Saturday night after dinner I realized that I was really soaking the panty liners I'd been wearing.  Mind you, this was 22 1/2 weeks into my pregnancy.  I cleaned myself up and went into the kitchen to help clean up dinner dishes and felt a gushing again.  Hmmm...is my bladder that weak?  Cleaned myself up one more time and the second I stood up and started walking, gushing again.  Holy crapola!  Called for hubby and he called labor & delivery who told us to come right in.  They quickly confirmed my water had broken and I was slightly dialated (about a 1).  I wasn't having any contractions or anything.  They admitted me into Womack at Ft Bragg and started antibiotics.  But were very clear that 22 weeks was way to early, and most places (this hospital included) don't consider a baby viable until 24 weeks.  My heart just sank.   I was on bed rest and allowed to get up only to go to the bathroom.  
We struggled with the weekend holiday Dr on call.  All she kept repeating to us was that the baby wasn't viable yet.  So frustrating.  I can be realistic, but are you telling me you're not even going to try anything until I hit your magic # of 24 weeks?  Ugh!  She had mentioned that if I made it to 24 weeks, they would have to transfer me to a different hospital, because their NICU wasn't equipped for such a young baby.  So DH and I started lobbying to be moved immediately.  Why wait if this place can't even attempt to help us and baby if I do go into labor?  After much lobbying, calling in favors and talking to patient advocates, they agreed to send us to Cape Fear Hospital.  I wasn't too crazy about it, because I would have preferred to go to one of the major hospitals in the Raleigh/Durham area.  But, it was our best option.  UNC wouldn't take me until 24 weeks.  I was supposed to get transferred there yesterday, but they were overloaded with deliveries, so we were in a holding pattern.  Today, my Dr finally came back from vacation and did some more research about other places they could send me.  Lo and behold, Duke would accept me at 23 weeks (which is what I am today!)  So, this afternoon I took an ambulance ride and I am now settled into my room at Duke.  Yeah!  I've heard so many great things about this place.  Whew!  I haven't seen the Dr's here yet, but I feel better just being here where I know they'll at least fight for the 1% chance of helping baby (or however slim it is.)  

Best case scenario is that I get really bored for a few months on bedrest and let this baby keep growing.  Hey, at least I'm at a great hospital that has wireless internet!  I was going stir crazy without my support groups!!!

Of course Ryan & I are both terrified, but confident that we're now in the best place possible for both me and baby.  Still no contractions (thank God).  Please send prayers that I can hold labor off as long as possible.  The other huge concern is infection.  If one does develop they will be forced to induce labor right away, which of course would not be good.  Every day, every week gets us closer to a healthy baby.    

I will keep you and the baby in my prayers and I'm sorry this is happening with you but like you said you are in a great hospital and with the best care and remember God is in control of everything. God Bless!

DEB!!!  I am fighting back tears for you because I have so been in your shoes!!!  I have both of my sons (19 and 9) talking down in the kitchen...the two boys I fought to keep while living on bedrest both at home and in various hospitals.  I lived on the mag sulfate and tributalene.  Got the steroid shots to mature the baby's lungs "just in case."  All the things I am sure you are probably going through now.  My husband toured the NICU with all the tiny babies to know what to expect.  I made it to 37 weeks with son #1 and 36 weeks with son #2.  I sincerely hope that your little one will stay put for at least 3 more weeks or longer!  You are right, every day is precious time.  There are great bedrest support groups online...have you found them yet?  You can even be matched with a mom that has been in your shoes before to help you through it all via phone/email.  It's been a long time for me, but I'd be glad to be a sounding board and friend for you...whatever you need.  Just hang in there and keep thinking positive thoughts.  My mom also went from her water breaking at 16 weeks until having my little sister at I think it was 30 weeks and she is a mother herself today!  :)  You and your litle one (and Ryan) will be heavy on my mind!  Sending lots of ~~~no labor~~~ vibes! 

I'm so sorry to hear that this has happened but am glad that you are in a really good hospital with the best doctors and nurses to care for you and your little one.  I'll keep you, Ryan and the little one in my prayers.  God is in control and no matter what happens, He will guide and direct you.  Please keep us updated as to how things go.  Grow, little baby, grow!!!

Hugs and best wishes for you all,
Donna

OMGoodness Sweetie!!!

Please know that my heart and Ben's go out to you and to Ryan as you both navigate these frightful waters. But I also want you to know that I had the same thing happen to me with our dear sweet Sarah and she made it. There were weeks of bed rest, IV fluids and antibiotics, weekly ultrasounds, etc... and of course, the rest of the pregnancy was a 'high risk' pregnancy. That said once it was actually time for her to enter the world, they actually had to induce labor because she was comfortably snuggled with Mom and not interested in joining us yet. When Sarah was born at full term, she was very healthy 23.5 inches long and 9 lbs. Ben and I wish the same for you, Ryan and your dear baby.

My twins, Chris and Mike, were born at 32.5 weeks ... 7.5 weeks early and made it fine. And that was 27 years ago. They are strapping young men and you would never guess that they had been tiny premature babies.  I guess what I'm trying to say, is that even if the baby comes early, there are a lot of things that they can do to help... More now, than when the boys were babies.

Please let us know if you want company ... we wouldn't want to intrude, but will be glad to come see you if you'd like.

We know that you are in very competent hands. We will keep you and your family in our prayers as they the team at Duke helps you bring this baby home in good time.

Wishing you both all the best,

Barb and Ben

Thank goodness you pushed to be moved.  I am so glad that you are at Duke - you are in good hands.  
You, Ryan and the little one are in my thoughts...

Shelia

hang in there and i will pray real hard that all will be well. I had a friend who spent the whole thing on bed rest she did well so just hang tight.  Just work hard to take care of yourself and baby will get what they need.  It will go fast if you just work on one day at a time.


Leslie

Deb, you, Ryan and your baby will be in my prayers... I'll lift you all up in prayer on Sunday at Church too!  Hang in there and remember, We're all here for you! 

Alice

Deb, so sorry to hear of your current situation.  But I can tell you from person experience that Duke is one of the best places for you to be at this time.  If not for Duke my husband would not be with me now.  

You, Ryan and your little one will be in my thoughts and prayers............Carrie 

Hey Deb:

You, Ryan and your precious baby are in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be.   I am so glad that you got moved to a hospital with the experience in these things...that alone has to give you comfort.

Sending lots of love and hugs to you!

Pam