Audrey Bennett from Bowling Green, Kentucky, was excited to be a first-time mom and overjoyed for the arrival of twins. “I had written out and discussed my birthing plan in advance,” Audrey said. “I was confident going into my next appointment, but things quickly changed when the twins had other plans. I went into labor…
When Greta Wermeling made her early entrance into the world in October 2022, she was met with immediate medical challenges. Born six weeks prematurely at a Louisville hospital, she was intubated right after delivery. Her first night was particularly concerning, as Greta experienced periods of unexplained apnea (a breathing disorder). This led to her transfer…
People now have a chance to win a brand-new home, a 2025 BMW and other prizes. Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Norton Children’s Hospital Home & BMW Raffle. The raffle offers a chance to win a new home in Norton Commons valued at more than $900,000 and a white 2025 BMW X1…
Becoming a first-time parent can be nerve-wracking, even more so when that day comes much sooner than expected. “It’s been a roller coaster,” said Austin Myers. Austin’s identical twin sons, Tate and Tripp Myers, were born premature at 26 weeks, six days. Each weighed under 2 pounds. “When they come out and they’re 1 pound,…
As a nurse practitioner for Norton Children’s Heart Institute Mary T. “Terri” Massey, APRN, has become an invaluable force caring for the youngest and sickest heart patients. Her journey within Norton Children’s tells a story of compassion, strength and purpose. Having been part of Norton Children’s since 1986, she has witnessed the health system’s growth,…
When Lindsay Brock was born, the world welcomed a fighter. Lindsay entered this world six weeks earlier than expected. Her early days were marked by medical complications that landed her in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at two Norton Healthcare hospitals. She would spend over a month fighting for her life, being cared for…
When Leacoln Bale got a thumbs-up on her 20-week prenatal scan, she and her husband, Jeremy, felt relief. The scans looked great, and they were thrilled about having another healthy baby girl. Like her two older sisters — Ellie, 6, and 3-year-old Nora — Ava was born at home with assistance from a midwife. But…
When Alex and Kaylee Sutton’s son was born at 25 weeks, his new parents were scared their 1-pound, 9-ounce baby, born on the cusp of viability, wouldn’t make it. They’d arrived at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital at midnight, expecting to find out that Kaylee’s contractions were false labor pains. Instead, they learned Kaylee was…
Meredith Zuhars and her husband, Dave, were totally surprised by her pregnancy with their son, Zachary. They were raising a teen and preteen at the time, and both working, Meredith as a nurse. They were not even entertaining the idea of another child. Their “surprise baby” had another surprise: Zachary was born Aug. 5, nearly…
Breast milk can be like a medicine for babies. While breast milk is preferred for most babies, it may not naturally contain all of the macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates and protein) needed by premature babies, those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Human milk analysis and targeted fortification, a type of “lactoengineering,” is a technology that…
When Hannah R. Fischer, M.D., neonatologist with Norton Children’s Neonatology was doing her pediatric residency, it was in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where she found her calling. Despite the long and difficult days, she couldn’t wait to get up in the morning and see her tiny patients and their families. “I thought that…
A pregnant patient’s race, social status, access to medical care and living conditions all can affect whether they are more likely to deliver a baby weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (low birth weight), according to Scott D. Duncan, M.D., MHA, neonatologist with Norton Children’s Neonatology. According to the Centers for Disease Control and…