August and Vienna

August and Vienna were born five weeks early, on April 8, 2023, at Stormont Vail Hospital. Immediately after their birth, they were admitted to the NICU. Their mother Katie shares their journey,

“Although August’s weight was normal for a baby born at 35 weeks, Vienna was just 4 pounds, and was considered to have a low birth weight. It was determined by the neonatologists at Stormont Vail that both babies would need to stay in the NICU until they met certain weight and feeding goals. Thankfully, their lungs were developed enough that they could breathe on their own and did not need any help with oxygen.”

“Their NICU stay felt like the longest two weeks of our lives. August made great progress with his eating and temperature regulation, but then he needed to be put under phototherapy lights for 48 hours because his bilirubin levels were too high and he was jaundiced. Once he was removed from phototherapy, it felt like we were starting all over again with him. Vienna barely woke up for the first week, and pretty much only took her nutrients through her feeding tube. The NICU staff estimated a four-week stay–until their due-date, May 8th–but August and Vienna defied those odds and started to regulate their own temperatures and take their food by mouth during the second week. Vienna met her goals and was discharged from the NICU after just 13 days, and August followed close behind her and was discharged after 15 days.”

“Without the support of the wonderful doctors, nurses, and staff in the NICU, I don’t know how we would have made it through that time. Everyone always made sure that we felt comfortable and welcome, and helped us to feel involved in our babies’ care. The nurses especially were so gentle and loving toward our babies, and I know that they were in good hands during the times that we weren’t there with them. “