The journey into motherhood is profound. Yet the path can be filled with uncertainty and challenges when it takes an unexpected early turn. That’s when our committed team of nurses at St. Elizabeth’s Edgewood Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) helps families through tough times. More than caregivers, they are guardians of the first fragile moments of life. They embody the strength and tenderness that guide families through their most vulnerable times.
This inspiring episode of Rounding with Patients features Erin and Brittany two moms with NICU babies. They found hope and healing, and they credit the health of their babies to the nurses and team with them every step of the way.
Q: Why did you choose the NICU at St. Elizabeth?
Erin and Brittany chose St. Elizabeth Healthcare because of its reputation for delivering exceptional care, support and expertise close to home in Northern Kentucky. Despite facing the challenging journey of premature birth, they found the NICU staff’s unwavering compassion and expertise helped them navigate their scariest experience – a premature baby. The new moms agreed; the team offered a sense of security and personal attention that made them feel valued, safe and cared for. The NICU team at the St. Elizabeth Family Birth Place focuses on the medical needs of babies and fosters strong, personal relationships, making parents feel like they are part of a caring community.
Erin’s emergency visit turned into an urgent delivery at 28 weeks. Her daughter, Rylie, was born very small – weighing under two pounds. Nurses in the NICU cared for her for five months.
Brittany’s son Graham was born at 23 weeks, weighing just over a pound. Brittany faced unexpected challenges and relied on the specialized care and support provided to navigate the early and delicate stages of her baby’s life.
“It felt nice to come in, like how you feel when one of your best friends watches you go through this journey, one who loves your child as much as you do. You can just see and feel it.”
Brittany, NICU MomQ: What was your NICU experience like while at St. Elizabeth Healthcare?
Brittany described her journey as a tumultuous one. “It’s a whirlwind. You’re scared and confused and don’t know what’s happening. You’re not by yourself, but you feel alone. But Graham was a fighter,” says Brittany.
Meanwhile, she also struggled. “We had some really ugly days,” says Brittany. “I felt like I became a shell of myself just walking in and out of the NICU every day. But I wouldn’t have survived if it wasn’t for the support and care from the NICU staff.” Their strength got her through this challenging time.
Q: What are you most thankful for during your NICU experience?
Both moms expressed deep gratitude for the compassion shown toward their family. Erin says, “I was glad so many people cared about us.” She felt a sense of security every time she entered the NICU, knowing that she and her daughter were in good hands.
For Brittany, entering the NICU felt like meeting with a close friend every day. “It felt nice to come in, like how you feel when one of your best friends watches you go through this journey, one who loves your child as much as you do. You can just see and feel it.”
Madison Thiel, a registered nurse at the St. Elizabeth Family Birth Place, witnesses the challenges new parents face every day when their little one arrives early. “Taking care of Graham and so many other babies and watching them get stronger every day is an honor and a joy,” she says. To Thiel, Graham is an amazing child, and she is so lucky to be a part of his life today. “And I’m locked in because I’m his godmother now!”
“There are never enough words to express our appreciation for the nurses at St. Elizabeth NICU. Without them and their counterparts, my daughter wouldn’t be here.”
Erin, NICU MomQ: What is the most memorable part of your NICU experience that you want to share with others?
Brittany and Erin say the memory of the personal attention and care received from their healthcare providers in the NICU is unforgettable. “Your baby is not a number; your kid matters, and you know that as a mom, you matter too,” says Brittany. “The relationships you form in the NICU aren’t like other places. It’s different.”
Erin says she is deeply grateful to the nursing staff. “There are never enough words to express our appreciation for the nurses at St. Elizabeth NICU. Without them and their counterparts, my daughter wouldn’t be here.” Each encounter was one they won’t forget.
Thiel’s care and responsibility for her patients don’t end when the babies leave the NICU. “It’s amazing when we see these little ones return for visits. I care about them as much as I did the first day I met them. Those are the best moments that make it all worth it.”
