Moms and babies are staying together because of your gifts
(L-R) Sebastian and Emiliano
In March 2021, Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was home to a unique group of patients: five baby boys, and each boy was part of a set of twins.
“Emiliano was in the NICU for a few days because his blood sugar and body temperature were low,” explained Samara Rodriguez. “But our other son, Sebastian, was able to come home with us. The nurses were very nice and attentive. They made the experience a lot easier.”
Sandra Stecker’s twins, Carter and Camden, were born at 33 weeks by emergency C-section.
“There was a placental abruption with Carter where the placenta detached from the uterus, and he was being cut off from oxygen and nutrients,” she said.
Despite how scary the delivery was, Sandra describes her time in the NICU as a positive experience overall.
“The nurses were absolutely fabulous. They were so helpful and loving. I knew my boys were in good hands with them,” shared Sandra. “I’m just thankful they got to stay close to home.”
A third set of twin boys came to Aurora Sheboygan from a nearby hospital through the new NICU transport program, which was made possible through philanthropic support. The program was implemented even before the completion of the new Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan County to help as many infants as possible.
(L-R) Camden and Carter“Previously, if a baby was not born at Aurora Sheboygan and needed our level 2 NICU services, they were transferred to hospitals in Green Bay, the Fox Valley area and even Milwaukee. That’s because we didn’t have the specialized equipment needed to safely transport them here,” explained Megan Shvartsman, women’s health manager at Aurora Sheboygan. “And their mothers were still at the hospital where they delivered. Our goal is to keep babies and moms together and close to home.”
With the generous support of charitable donations to our Health Lives Here campaign, the hospital purchased a special isolette and partnered with a local ambulance company to safely transport babies.
“The transport isolette is a mobile neonatal intensive care system that fits right onto an ambulance gurney,” said Megan. “It regulates their temperature, monitors their vitals and keeps them warm and safe until they get to the hospital.”
Funds raised through the Health Lives Here campaign will also support the expansion of the NICU at the new Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan County from six beds to 10.
“Thanks to donor support, we won’t have to transfer a baby to a hospital that’s an hour or more away due to our NICU being full,” said Megan.
How you can help
The Health Lives Here campaign still needs your help to support our smallest community members. It’s because of the generosity of donors that we’re able to keep babies close to their families – even if they aren’t born at our hospital. Make a gift today. Or support a hospital or program near you.