Zander born at 26 weeks

My name is Jennifer Boze. In December 2011 my fiancé and I found out we were going to have a baby. On march 16 we were on our way to the store before my fiancé had to go to work. As I was riding in the car I felt this warm gush and I was completely soaked.

My fiancé immediately turned back around and took us back to the house. I went to the bathroom to see what had happened. The fluid was clear and did not smell like urine so I knew my water had broken. We then left to go to the hospital. I had an ultrasound done it confirmed my water had broken because I had less than 1 % water left. The ER dr told me I would likely miscarry within 24 to 48 hours that my ob dr was being called and that I was going to be admitted. Once admitted my ob dr came up to talk to my fiancé and I.

He said I could choose to abort or choose to carry my son but that he would most like be born premature. We chose to go on with the pregnancy and I was sent home three days later. I was put on antibiotics and bed rest. I saw my doctor two times a week for ultrasounds to check the baby's water level. Water remained low through out my whole pregnancy. I had bleeding off and on.

At 24 weeks I was admitted to the hospital where they have a level 3 nicu. I carried him for two more weeks. My fiancé was leaving to go home and I wasn't feeling well. He told me to order lunch and I did. They delivered my lunch shortly after he left. I couldn't even eat it all. I became very nauseous and sick feeling and I began to have terrible chills. I called my fiancé to tell him while on the phone I became very sick to my stomach and began to vomit. He then called the nurses station and within minutes nurses came in. They took my temp and said I had. Fever and that I most likely have an infection. They out me up to a monitor and baby showed signs of distress and I was told that I would be have to deliver very soon. That evening my son was born. On May 22,2012 Zander was born. He weighed 2 lbs 3 oz and was 13 in long. He was immediately rushed to the nicu. He went through several blood transfusions during the next few days due to the infection. We were told his lungs were very under developed due to the low water.

He was on a ventilator but not responding very well so they put him on nitric oxide. The dr said they don't typically try on babies his size but if we were ok he wanted to try and see if he would respond. The first 24 hours were very rough he didn't respond very well but then the next day he was showing improvement. We chose to fight for Zander. Zander spent five months in the hospital before coming home. He went through six surgeries, including bowel surgery, laser eye surgery for ROP, eye surgery again because retina was becoming unattached, and vp shunt for hydrocephalus. At just a few weeks old we found out that Zander had suffered grade 4 IVF brain bleeds which later lead to the hydrocephalus which why he needed the vp shunt.

Zander has been home for year on October 18. Tho he does show some developmental delays he is a very happy baby. He is def not a vegetable like we were told. Tho he cannot sit up or walk just yet he is crawling and rolling we were also told that Zander would be g tube dependent which He is not. I am happy to report that our boy loves to eat. He does require glasses to see but overall our boy is thriving and learning everyday.

1. I PPROMed at 16 weeks. I carried my son to 26 weeks. I developed an infection. If not for the infection I could have carried longer. He is 17 months old now.

2. After him I got pregnant while on birth control. I had a cerclage ( cervical stitch) caused me to tear and have lots of bleeding. my cervix kept trying to dialate. I went into labor at 22 weeks. I lost him 12-07-12. My babies would have been exactly one year apart had I carried him to term. I miss him terribly.

3. I had the cervical stitch I have heard success stories but I have also heard ones that ended up not successful because of it such as my case. U can also get the 17p shot which is a progesterone shot. Taken 16 thru 20 weeks of pregnancy to help from going into preterm labor. Also the steroid shots to develop the babies lungs given at around 24 weeks incase u do deliver early. Also doctors do magnesium drip to help stop contractions and it's also good for the babies brain to help prevent brain bleeds.

4. I have a son who I carried to 26 weeks. My advise is doctors are not always right. I found that out in both my last two pregnancies. My son is now 17 months old and tho he does have some developmental delays he is a healthy happy baby and is thriving.

5. My doctor put me on strict bed rest. He also prescribed antibiotics which I took four times a day. I was on home bed rest and then at 24 weeks I went into the hospital. I was only allowed to get up to take one shower day and to use the restroom.

6. I knew my water had broke because I felt this warm gush. I went to the restroom and it was clear had no Odor. I went to the e.r. They did an ultrasound and it confirmed my water broke because i had about1% water left.