Having two sons already, Berenice was thrilled when she found out she was expecting twin girls. What she didn’t expect to find out was that she was already 7 cm dilated when she went to her follow-up OB appointment with Dr. Ted Robertson, AdventHealth OB/GYN. She was filled with emotions when she heard the words, “emergency C-section,” worried her girls were not ready to join the world just yet at 33 weeks, but excited to finally meet them.
For the safety of her and her babies, she was immediately taken to AdventHealth Daytona Beach. With her husband rushing to the hospital from work, Berenice was supported by the care team as she brought Olivia and Sophia into the world. She remembers the team walking her through every step of their birth, reassuring her and explaining clearly what was happening every step of the way.
With their early arrival, the twins received extra special care of the Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at AdventHealth Daytona Beach, part of the nationally recognized AdventHealth for Children care network. “When they were born, they were both tiny,” said Berenice. Baby Olivia was intubated, needing more time to grow her lungs. “When I saw them, I felt so bad, like I failed them in a way.” But the team was quick to reassure Berenice that these conditions are common with premature babies and that she was doing the best she could for these babies by visiting every day, practicing skin-to-skin and learning infant massage. She and her husband were grateful for the fact that the NICU was close to home, so that they could visit so frequently.
Every day, the NICU team did family rounding, explaining the progress of the twins to the parents and involving them in their care. AdventHealth knows the parents are just as essential to the care team as the doctors and nurses.
The first time she held both girls in her arms was a magical moment. “That’s when it hit me. OK, you have twins; you have two girls,” she explained.
After 31 days in the NICU, the sweet twins were able to go home to finally meet their big brothers, who love to snuggle them and read bedtime stories. “I’m very grateful to have a team that is caring and willing to get them better and get them home to me.”
Learn more about Berenice and her journey as a NICU mom.
Whether your next child is born perfectly healthy or in need of serious specialized care, you can rest assured knowing that AdventHealth for Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Units provide state-of-the art technology, soothing baby-friendly environments and have a wide range of specialty services. With six locations throughout Central Florida, it’s convenient passionate care, close to home.
Learn more about the care at AdventHealth for Children, recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Children’s Hospital for newborn care in Florida.
