Day One

As many of you know, early Sunday morning I awoke to discover that my water had broken. At 17 weeks and 2 days, the Baby Wittenberg is not big enough to survive outside of the womb and with only 3.5 cm of fluid left, Baby Wittenberg is unlikely to develop normally inside the womb.

Because of the insurmountable odds, the normal course of action would be to induce labor now – a decision Brian and I are not comfortable making at this time.

The alternative is to take a wait and see approach – which is where we are at this time. There is a slight possibility that the rupture will seal over allowing the amniotic fluid to return to a normal level and the baby to reach a premature but viable age prior to birth.

Alternatively, my body could naturally go into pre-term labor in the next few days and Baby Wittenberg will be born too early to survive.

The most difficult option would be if nothing changes. In this instance Brian and I would be faced with terminating the pregnancy now, as advised, or waiting until the natural birth which could be weeks away. Given the baby’s inability to develop properly without amniotic fluid, Baby Wittenberg has little chance for survival, even at a later birth date.

Until something changes, I am home on bed rest, proving what everyone's being telling me...there is nothing like a baby to change your world.

Thanks to each of you for your friendship. We appreciate your prayers during this difficult time.