Maramarina had only twelve precious minutes to hold her newborn daughter Alara before she was whisked away to the NICU. Thanks to Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County NICU team, mom and baby are now doing well, yet their story serves as a poignant reminder about why an expanded Level II NICU is needed in the area. 

Maramarina’s pregnancy appeared normal until a scan at 20 weeks revealed fetal growth restriction (FGR). From that moment, Maramarina was extra vigilant, doing everything possible to protect her daughter’s life. 

Alara arrived early, weighing only 4 lbs. She was quickly taken to the NICU where she would receive specialized care for eight days. Maramarina was discharged two days after delivery. She was so grateful for the NICU team, yet heartsick about being separated from her first born and overwhelmed by Alara’s fragile state.  

Maramarina said she didn’t know how to best care for her daughter due to her small size and the medical equipment attached to her. She said the NICU nurses were skilled and attentive, teaching her how to feed, burp, and bathe Alara despite her medical situation. They also advised her on how to schedule pumping her breastmilk and bringing it to the NICU. 

“Every nurse had such a love for what they do,” said Maramarina. “After holding my breath for half my pregnancy and Alara’s birth, I could finally breathe again, knowing she was safe.” 

The exceptional care Alara experienced and the comfort Maramarina felt are reflective of the good work the Clay NICU does each day, yet if Alara had been born just a little earlier or weighed just a bit less, she would have had to been transferred to a different hospital with a higher-level NICU. That would have increased Maramarina’s stress and made it even harder to deliver Alara’s pumped breastmilk each day. 

An average of 260 Clay County families face similar complications each year, requiring Level II NICU services we don't currently offer. And many mothers who already face high-risk pregnancies, like Maramarina, often choose other hospitals from the start just in case their babies might need higher-level care. 

That's why we're expanding the Family Birth Place at our J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Women and Infants Pavilion to include a Level II NICU. With eight private NICU rooms in a new 5,000-square-foot space, mothers with high-risk pregnancies will have the option to receive the complete, specialized care they need right here at Ascension St. Vincent's – the hospital they know and trust. 

When Maramarina learned of the expansion, she could barely contain her enthusiasm for the project.  

“This is so worth investing in,” she said. “They’re taking care of the tiniest fighters in this world. I’ve never seen more resilience from hospital workers or the babies they’re saving than in the NICU at Ascension. Please help them all have a greater chance.” 

Every gift empowers more mothers to choose the care they trust during life's most precious moments. Learn more about our expansion or make a gift today to help us bring Level II NICU services to Clay County.