Patient Stories

Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which one or more of the seven fibrous joints in a baby’s skull—called sutures—is prematurely closed. This limits the space needed for brain and skull growth and often leads to craniofacial malformations

Born at 24 weeks gestation at 1 pound, our daughter Molly was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy when she was 2 1/2 years old.

"At my 12-week ultrasound my local doctors discovered our unborn son had fetal tachycardia, an abnormal increase in heart rate. Our son’s fetal tachycardia is very uncommon."—Mother, Whitney Goodsell

"The babies and I were being monitored by high-risk obstetricians at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics when their umbilical cords began to tangle, requiring an emergency C-section."

"After learning that our unborn child would need to undergo three open-heart surgeries, we were devastated."

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) led to respiratory failure, sepsis, pneumonia, and feeding issues for Jayce Venden. After almost a month at our hospital, Jayce was stable enough to head home.

"UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital helped save Grayson’s life. Without their expertise, Grayson could’ve had a very different outcome." Sara Erbes

"It's terrifying to us because many times he does not display serious symptoms of any kind and by the time he does, it's already to the point of him needing to be taken to the emergency room or hospital for breathing support."

Laura Corbett, RN, MNHP, nurse manager in the NICU at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, knows firsthand how teamwork pays off in newborn health and survival.

High-risk obstetricians, neonatal specialists give micropreemie family a new beginning.