preventing pprom

preterm premature rupture of the membranes - argh
i had no clear understanding of it until it happened to me
6wks before cal's due date, and a woosh
and my water broke
and labour came quickly
unstoppable

...or could i have done something to stop it
that's what i have been looking into

i had a normal pregnancy and an abnormal birth experience and still try to make sense of it
i will be better versed on it all now

i stumbled across ways to prevent pprom, many of which i already did so can't learn from those for any potential future pregnancies

- take folic acid for at least a year - already did for years in combo with b12 sublingually
- no heavy lifting - duh!
but then i started finding more tips

pregnant after prom has a lot of suggestions like...
- "Ask your health care practitioner to do wet preps or cultures, not just a dipstick test...Bacterial vaginosis (BV) /gardnerella. Some studies show that treatment for BV substantially reduces the incidence of PROM...Group B Streptococcus (GBS). Usually your practitioner will only test for GBS once you reach 36 weeks, to prevent transmission to your baby via vaginal delivery. However, you may want to be tested routinely from the beginning of your pregnancy because it is not known what role GBS plays in PROM."

- "The fFN test measures the amount of fetal fibronectin in vaginal secretions (performed like a pap smear). A determination that the fFN "glue" is disintegrating may be a sign that a woman is at risk for preterm delivery, even if she is otherwise asymptomatic."

- and here is where a long list of suggestions begin...
"

General guidelines - apply to entire pregnancy from positive home pregnancy test through delivery

Everyday Activity

	No lifting over 10 pounds.
	Minimal stairs.
	Limited standing and walking.
	No housework.
	No increase in altitude or long car trips.
	Get lots of rest.
	No bending.
	No baths. Sit down in the shower if you can (use a plastic lawn chair if you don't have a seat in your shower).
	Use unscented soap.
	Avoid nipple stimulation, including letting hot water run on your breasts in the shower (it stimulates the uterus).
	No sex or orgasm
	Use antibacterial wipes after you use the toilet to prevent chances of infection.

and then even more!

Diet & Supplements
	Get adequate protein in your diet (minimum is 60 grams of protein daily).
	Minimize sugar intake; reduce intake of carbohydrates.
	Keep taking your prenatal and folic acid supplements.
	Take extra Zinc, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C, on top of prenatals (ask your health care practitioner for dosage).
	Drink water (2 to 3 liters per day).
	Drink unsweetened or fruit-juice sweetened (not corn-syrup sweetened) cranberry juice, or take cranberry capsules to prevent urinary tract infections.
	Eat yogurt (including soy yogurt with live cultures) or take acidophilus supplements to help your body naturally fight off infection.

"