Florida Mom Celebrates Milestone as She Nears Due Date After Premature Labor Scare
“It started when I was 21 weeks and 3 days,” Kelly Herrera said. “I woke up about 5:30-6 in the morning. I felt wetness and I went to the bathroom and my water broke.”
At just over 21 weeks pregnant with her fourth daughter, Ryli, Herrera found herself facing a terrifying reality: premature labor. She would spend the next 10 weeks at HCA Florida University Hospital in Davie, Florida, receiving around-the-clock care to prevent the arrival of her daughter far too soon.
Now, nearly 31 weeks into her pregnancy, Herrera and her family celebrated a major milestone this weekend – a testament to her resilience and a hopeful sign for Ryli’s future.
“Right now, I’m happy I made it this far because lots of people don’t have the same outcome,” Herrera said.
With the dedicated care of doctors and staff, “Kelly has reached crucial milestones in her pregnancy. Her baby is now expected to have a great prognosis at birth,” said Dr. Neil Salas, Herrera’s obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN).
For Herrera, the journey hasn’t been easy. “There would be days when I’d be super positive, super okay with everything going on — no care in the world,” she said. “Other days, I’m like ‘I can’t do this.’ I wanted to break down. I don’t know [how but] I held it together as best as I could”
Ryli will have lots of company when she arrives. She’ll be welcomed by her three older sisters, who are eagerly awaiting the newest addition to the family. Herrera can’t wait for the day she can finally return home with her little girl. “I’ll be ecstatic because I’ll be home for Christmas — hopefully, the baby too,” she said. “I’ll be with my other girls and family.”
The Risks of Premature Birth
A premature baby doesn’t have enough time to fully develop key organs and body systems they need to survive and thrive outside the womb. This can lead to a range of serious health issues, including underdeveloped lungs, inflammation of the intestines, blood infections, and underdeveloped blood vessels in the eyes, among others.
Premature infants are also at a higher risk for developmental challenges during childhood, such as hearing and vision problems, learning disabilities, and cerebral palsy. For Kelly and Ryli, the hospital became a haven, allowing extra time for critical development to occur.
Who is at Risk for Premature Birth?
According to medical experts, several factors can increase the likelihood of premature birth. These include:
- Being Black or Hispanic
- Expecting multiples (i.e., twins, triplets, etc.)
- Being under 17 years old or over 35 years old
- Having a family or personal history of preterm births
- Smoking, drinking alcohol, or using other substances during pregnancy
- Being underweight before pregnancy or not gaining enough weight during pregnancy
What advice does Kelly Herrera give to other mothers facing premature labor?
## Interview with Kelly Herrera: A Premature Labor Survivor
**Host:** Kelly, your story is truly inspiring. You faced a terrifying situation with your pregnancy, but you made it through. Can you tell us a bit about what happened?
**Kelly:** It started at 21 weeks and 3 days. I woke up feeling wet and my water broke. I knew immediately something was wrong. I was only a little more than halfway through my pregnancy.
**Host:** That must have been incredibly scary. What happened next?
**Kelly:** I was rushed to HCA Florida University Hospital, where I spent the next 10 weeks. The doctors and nurses were amazing. They provided round-the-clock care to try and prevent my little girl, Ryli, from coming too early. [[1](https://www.webmd.com/baby/premature-labor)]
**Host:** You’ve now reached almost 31 weeks. How does it feel to be at this stage?
**Kelly:** It feels amazing! I’m so grateful to have made it this far. I know many families weren’t as lucky, so I cherish every moment. As Dr. Salas said, Ryli now has a great prognosis for birth.
**Host:** What was the most challenging part of this journey?
**Kelly:** It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster. Some days I was positive and strong, other days it felt overwhelming. The support of my family and the hospital staff kept me going. But, there’s still a long way to go and I’m taking it one day at a time.
**Host:** What advice would you give to other mothers facing premature labor?
**Kelly:** Don’t give up hope. Surround yourself with love and support, and trust your doctors. Early intervention and good medical care can make a world of difference.
