Two years ago, we were celebrating a miracle that happened in our lives - the healthy birth of our son Austin. I know... I know... every birth is a miracle... but the birth of our red-headed little guy came about in a very special way.
Right at 20 weeks gestation, Ginny's water broke in a condition called pPROM - or preterm premature rupture of membranes. The statistics aren't great for delivering a healthy baby after that occurs, especially when it occurs so early on. At 20 weeks, Austin was still a month away from being considered a "viable" baby - and even at 24 weeks, would have huge odds to overcome.
Miraculously, instead of being in the 90-95% of pregnancies that go into labor within 72 hours after rupturing, Ginny went 11 weeks!!! Now, during that time, she was on bed-rest at home (until 24 weeks), then on bed-rest in two different hospitals that even included two ambulance rides between them... but in the end, she did finally go into labor on September 2nd, and our son Austin was born via Cesarean section at St. Luke's Hospital in The Woodlands. Austin came into the world at 31 weeks weighing just 3 lbs 14 oz. We needed to keep him in the NICU there for a few weeks since he was 2 months premature to help him gain weight, learn how to feed, and also become a pro at breathing right... but in the end, he turned out perfectly fine. In fact, his pediatrician remarked at his last checkup (18 month) that there was NOTHING premature about him. 75th percentiles for height and weight!! Imagine if he actually was born on his due date!! Whoa!!
So, this weekend, we were able to celebrate our son's 2nd birthday, which included loads of cakes, eating out, visiting with friends and family, and of course, presents :)
Happy birthday, Austin!! We love you!!
Right at 20 weeks gestation, Ginny's water broke in a condition called pPROM - or preterm premature rupture of membranes. The statistics aren't great for delivering a healthy baby after that occurs, especially when it occurs so early on. At 20 weeks, Austin was still a month away from being considered a "viable" baby - and even at 24 weeks, would have huge odds to overcome.PPROM in the Second Trimester
Premature preterm rupture of membranes (PPROM) prior to fetal viability is a unique and relatively rare problem that is often difficult to manage. It occurs in less than 0.4% of all pregnancies. Midtrimester (13-26 wk) PPROM has a poor prognosis, although more recent studies have reported better outcome. Survival varies with gestational age at diagnosis (from 10% when diagnosed at 16-19 wk, to as much as 60% when diagnosed at 25-26 wk). Until viability, maternal safety should be the primary concern.
Miraculously, instead of being in the 90-95% of pregnancies that go into labor within 72 hours after rupturing, Ginny went 11 weeks!!! Now, during that time, she was on bed-rest at home (until 24 weeks), then on bed-rest in two different hospitals that even included two ambulance rides between them... but in the end, she did finally go into labor on September 2nd, and our son Austin was born via Cesarean section at St. Luke's Hospital in The Woodlands. Austin came into the world at 31 weeks weighing just 3 lbs 14 oz. We needed to keep him in the NICU there for a few weeks since he was 2 months premature to help him gain weight, learn how to feed, and also become a pro at breathing right... but in the end, he turned out perfectly fine. In fact, his pediatrician remarked at his last checkup (18 month) that there was NOTHING premature about him. 75th percentiles for height and weight!! Imagine if he actually was born on his due date!! Whoa!!So, this weekend, we were able to celebrate our son's 2nd birthday, which included loads of cakes, eating out, visiting with friends and family, and of course, presents :)
Happy birthday, Austin!! We love you!!
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| Austin during the summer of 2012 at the beach in North Carolina |
Here's the YouTube video I put together chronicling our adventures that summer
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