While your ultimate decision is entirely in your hands-decisions that are made between you and your healthcare provider, I have spent a lot time while writing this pondering “if it was me, what would I do?”

At first I was tempted to include my hypothetical decision making here at the end, but it is way too easy to armchair quarterback imaginary decisions and at the end of the day they are not my decisions to make—they are yours.

I think it is obvious by now that I will always promote normal healthy physiological birth, the judicious and considered use of medical intervention, and above all a woman’s right to make her own decisions during her pregnancy.

My actual experience, however, is mine to share and I think it speaks volumes that even now almost thirty years later, I needed this research project to finally set my mind at ease—at least in some regards.  I still have research to do in relation to my actual experience, a couple things still trouble me.

Your birth experience stays with you, I had mine held so deep that I didn’t even realize it was still in there festering away, in the terms of this project—like a lingering subclinical infection.

As an actual PPROM, I went to the hospital immediately after rupture, waited overnight in bed, developed both maternal and fetal complications, had an emergency C-Section the next morning. I am 100% positive that this was the right call, even if I regret agreeing to a bed pan, and having those decisions confirmed while writing this, made all this effort worthwhile.