Carrie Willard

putting the "her" back in motherhood

  • About Carrie
    • Fine Print
  • New? Start here
  • Home & Family
    • Homeschool
    • Mothering
    • Homemaking
  • Well-being
    • Books & Read-Alouds
    • Beauty
    • Food
    • Health
  • Your Money
    • Earning & Investing
    • Blogging & Writing
    • Frugality
  • Your Time
    • Habits & Goals
  • Recommended
  • Need a Side Hustle?

September 21, 2014 By Carrie 7 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links and I may receive small commissions for purchases made through them.

What I Know, What I Don’t Know: 2 Weeks Post-pPROM

Sometimes, when it gets to be too much, I have to stop doing research.

My head aches from reading from a screen too long, and I’ve learned far more about pPROM, premature babies and the NICU experience than I ever thought I would know.

2 weeks after pPROM

I now know what nasal cannulas, nitric oxide, CPAP, high frequency ventilators and pulmonary hypoplasia are. I know about cord prolapse and oligohydramnios and brain bleeds and chorioamnionitis and sepsis and limb deformities and Potter’s syndrome. I know about steroids and magnesium sulfate and broad spectrum antibiotics and amniofusion and cord compression and heart rate decels and placental abruption.

I learned the terrible word viability.

I know that you can “never trust a preemie” and all about the “NICU roller coaster” and how you should try to sweet talk a NICU nurse into taking on your baby as a primary patient. I know the difficulties surrounding breast milk feeding of a micropreemie who can’t suckle, especially with a complicated birth post Cesarean section. I know how to get every last drop with a hospital-grade electric double breast pump using breast massage and hand expression. I know what the “car seat test” is. I know about actual age versus adjusted age.

I know about all of the unknowns. 

I also know that, 2 weeks after pPROM, we’ve defied statistics.

38- 50% of patients will deliver within 1 week of pPROM, with close to 75% delivered within 2 weeks. 86% will deliver within 21 days.

Which means it’s very possible, likely even, that I’ll have a baby in a week’s time, at the edge of viability, 24 weeks. And that at that point he will have a 39% chance of survival. At 25 weeks, it climbs to 50%. At 26 weeks, 80%. 

Nobody can tell until baby is born how much of an impact having little to no amniotic fluid will affect his lung development. It’s nearly impossible for the doctors to say with any accuracy.

Share
Pin
Tweet
0 Shares

Filed Under: Mothering

About Carrie

Carrie is a homeschooling mom of 7 and the author of this blog. More about her here.

❮❮ Previous Post
Next Post ❯ ❯

Comments

  1. Emily G. says

    September 21, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    Dear Carrie, you have learned a lot, but please don’t forget that a calm heart is really beneficial right now. Stressing yourself and worrying for what you cannot control will not help. I don’t mean to be preachy. We will keep you in our prayers.

  2. Carrie says

    September 21, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    I do take a break from it when I need to, but I’m also trying to prepare myself for what’s ahead. Mostly I read “success” stories of babies who live through this… but those babies deal with many problems once they’re born. The parents who have been there, done that say that the NICU experience is harder than this uncertain time of pregnancy.

  3. patty says

    September 22, 2014 at 3:14 am

    Praying, praying, praying!!! Hang on to Jesus!

  4. patty says

    September 22, 2014 at 3:14 am

    Praying, praying, praying for you!!! Hang on to Jesus!

  5. Emily says

    September 23, 2014 at 2:05 am

    This is my first time commenting on your blog, but I’ve bumped into you all over the internet 🙂 (TWTM Forum, Katy Bowman, Moneysavingmom)

    I wanted to share this blog with you. I was on a pregnancy board with Milo’s mother before she had pPROM. He is over a year old now and seems to be doing very well! http://simplywaitingformilo.blogspot.com/

    God Bless!

  6. elizabeth a says

    September 23, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    I love you girl! Keep your head up. Sending much love and prayers your way!!! Your a strong woman and you have the most high on your side. Giving you the power beyond what is normal to get through. Love you, praying for you. 😉

    If you need me or someone to talk to while your their, just let me know.

  7. Amber says

    September 27, 2014 at 4:19 am

    Catching up after a long time not on your blog. I am so sorry to hear about this. Praying for you!!!! Anxious to see another post.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Easier Mornings!

Hi, I’m Carrie!

Bienvenue! My goal is to inspire and provide resources for moms to simplify their lives. With what aim?

So they can find time and space for their own goals and passions during the busy mothering years. Simplifying the mundane to make room for the sublime. Let's put the "her" back in motherhood!

Lipsense business

Recent Posts

  • How to Develop Mental Toughness
  • Work at Home, Homeschooling Mom of 7: a day in the life
  • Aldi vs Costco: who has better prices?
  • Five Frugal Wins
  • Save Money On Utilities and Wireless Bills
  • Cheap Homeschooling (with Several Kids)
  • My Morning Routine
  • Lowering food costs (for a family of 9)
  • The Year of Financial Optimization
  • Recent Reads

Browse Categories

Home & Family

Well-Being

Your Money

Your Time

Search

Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design