Membranes Ruptured at 28 Weeks; Why?

It is quite likely you will never know why your membranes ruptured. I had a very similar situation with my first child. I had a completely normal, extremely healthy pregnancy with absolutely no complications. Shortly after my 28 week check up, I developed a high, slow leak in my bag of water. It was so slow that I didn't initially think anything was wrong because I felt fine. At 29 weeks I went in to have it checked, thinking it was nothing, and found out that I had ruptured and was having regular, painless contractions. I went immediately to the hospital and stayed there for another week until my son was born at 30 weeks.

I know exactly how you feel. It does feel like a nightmare to have everything change so suddenly and to go from a totally normal pregnancy to a very high risk one in a matter of minutes. It is quite a lot to adjust to. The fact is that it is out of your control and sometimes this just happens. You didn't do anything to cause it.

All you can do now is follow your doctor's advice and try to prepare yourself for a different first few months than you expected. As hard as bedrest in the hospital is, it is easier than having a baby in the NICU (I know, mine was there for 7 weeks). Allow yourself time to feel shocked and scared and sad. Those are normal feelings!

And do take comfort knowing that, though the first months will be tough, preemies do remarkably well. My son is now 3 1/2 and you would never know he was so premature. He is a healthy, happy, strong little boy.

Feel free to email me privately if you have more questions. I really needed to hear success stories and talk to other moms who had been through something similar when my son was born. You will get through this and it will be ok.

Hugs,
B.

M., I don't know why your membranes ruptures; I'm sorry that I can't help with that.

I did have two preemies, however, and I would be happy to "talk" with you more about that experience, if you want to send me a private message.

But here's the good news. My first child was born at 30 weeks. He was 3 lbs. 14 oz, which is great for a child who is ten weeks early. He was in the NICU for eight weeks, and when discharged was 7 lbs. or more. His first 24 hours were on a respirator, which I think is connected to his asthma, but other than a bunch of bradychardia spells (where he would briefly stop breathing -- sounds scary but it's not -- he just needed to outgrow it before he could be discharged) his health was fine.

He was behind in his first year of life, then caught up rapidly. He even skipped a grade in elementary school. So it is entirely possible for a premature baby to grow up healthy and normal.

My second child was born at 34 weeks, and has no health problems.

But I do remember the stress of having a preemie at first, and I remember the NICU well, so let me know if you have further questions about the experience.

Hang in there -- it will be okay!!

It's probaly not your fault. Things just happen and to be honest alot worse things could have happened.

I'm a mom to 2 preemies and they are both thriving now. I was on bedrest and had horrible pregnancies but in the end it's all worth it. Bedrest sucks I know I've been there, done that and hospital bedrest is the worst. Hang in there!

I have a 7yr.old(33weeker)and a 9mo.old (34weeker)BOTH are thriving and growing like weeds. Both safely delivered at Abbott and transfered the special care nursery at Children's in Mpls.

M., I am sorry this happened. It is great that you have not gone into labor, even with the rupture. You did nothing to cause this to happen. Bad things happen and sometimes we have done nothing to make them happen. It is great that you are in the hospital and getting super care now. Have you talked to your doc about it, tried to get any kind of an answer? This is not one of those things that if it happens with one pregnancy, it will happen with all of them. My membranes ruptured at 26 weeks with one pregnancy, then I went on to carry 2 more babies to near full term. I wish the best for you.
S.