Stories About the Meriter Birthing Center, Newborn Intensive Care Unit and Perinatal Clinic

Our Miracle Baby Henry

Our son Henry was born at 26 and 2/7 weeks due to complications and spent 104 days in Meriter's NICU. I was admitted to Meriter on May 12 for high blood pressure. On the morning of May 13, I had an ultrasound. During the ultrasound, the baby's heart rate dropped suddenly and dramatically. I was rushed to triage and spent five minutes there before it was decided that an emergency c-section would the only way to save the baby. My husband rushed to the hospital from work and made it just in time for the birth of Henry Steven. He weighed 1 pound 9 ounces and was 12-and-3/4 inches long. I barely got to see him before he was rushed upstairs to the NICU. He had a true double knot in his cord, which caused his heart rate to drop. His first issue beside his extreme prematurity was a PDA (a heart problem common in premature babies), and it was corrected with medication. His next issue was far more serious and needed immediate action. He had NEC, an inflammation disease of the intestines. He was taken into surgery and had part of his intestines removed and was given an ostomy. He also had respiratory issues and was on oxygen for most of his stay in the NICU. He had surgery to reconnect his intestines so we could take him home. After 104 days, he was finally ready to come home! Henry has been home for a few days now, and he is truly a miracle baby. He came home without monitors or oxygen. The staff at Meriter was unbelievable. The nurses were amazing people. Although Henry probably had every nurse in the NICU take care of him, we would like to thank the following nurses for their exceptional care of Henry: Patricia, Jamie, Sherryl, Lila, Ellen, Heidi, Judy H. and Sue. The support staff was also extremely kind and helpful. They never complained of the number of times I called in to check on Henry. We can't thank the neonatologists enough. Dr. Greer, Dr. Shah, Dr. Kessel, Dr. Kling and Dr. Springer took excellent care of our son. They made us part of the team in helping and healing our son. Medical procedures were explained to us and all our questions were answered. I will miss rounds! I feel like I learned quite a bit and have a new respect for the doctors and residents that take care of the babies in the NICU. His surgeons were Dr. Shabaan and Dr. Lund. A special thank you to them for their work on our son. Although no parent wants their baby to go to the NICU, our experience was one of compassion and support and we wouldn't have made it without everyone's help. Thank you! Thank you! Amy, Tim and Henry