Neonatology Patient Stories

"The nurses make you feel like they are part of your family and that they care about your child as much as you do. The staff was so reassuring in some of the scariest times."

"Our family will forever be grateful for the care and love that was shown to not only Leah but also to her entire family."

Konner and his twin brother, Kolby, were born in Des Moines prematurely at 28 weeks gestation. Unfortunately, Kolby passed away when he was 6 days old. Konner was transferred to UI Stead Family Children's Hospital for advanced care.

"The care that we received from the doctors and nurses was amazing."

New mom Erika Stupka appreciates "the little things."

Logan was born in Mason City, Iowa where doctors discovered he had a blood clot near a large vein that carries blood to his heart. He was transferred to University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, where he was admitted into the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Further tests showed he had microcephaly, or a small head, and his cerebellum had not fully formed.

The only treatment for preeclampsia is to deliver the baby. At 25 weeks pregnant, Julie was taken by ambulance and Abi was born the next day, weighing just over 1 pound.

Makayla was born three weeks premature at UI Stead Family Children's Hospital with additional birth defects. The doctors diagnosed her with OEIS syndrome, which occurs in just one of 300,000 infants. Once Makayla was born, a team of pediatric specialists worked together to develop a plan of care and she had her first surgery at just five days old.

Flynn, born prematurely at 29 weeks, is now thriving. Read more about Flynn's story.

Dexter's mom was having a normal pregnancy - until she went into labor at only 20 weeks. But she was in the right place when the unexpected happened: Iowa's most advanced Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).