September is NICU Awareness Month, a time to recognize the strength of our tiniest patients and their families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This month, we share the story of Alexa Contreras, a NICU mom whose journey demonstrates the resilience that define the NICU experience.
A Challenging Beginning
Alexa’s journey to motherhood took an unexpected turn when she developed preeclampsia and had to be induced at 35 weeks. During labor, her baby girl’s vitals began dropping, and doctors discovered the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. Alexa was rushed into surgery for an emergency C-section. Their daughter was born weighing just three pounds, with low oxygen, a kidney infection and a long NICU road ahead.
Fear of the Unknown
Like many NICU parents, Alexa and her husband were overwhelmed in those first moments.
“Both my husband and I were very scared about her NICU stay. I remember feeling very sad that I was not able to hold her immediately after birth. My husband recalls the panic he felt as they rushed her to the NICU without much explanation. For both of us, those first moments were filled with sadness and fear of the unknown.”
Support That Made the Difference
Through those difficult days, the BSA NICU team became their source of comfort. Nurses took time to explain every detail of their daughter’s care and encouraged the couple to call anytime, day or night.
“The NICU team was amazing! Every nurse answered every question we had — no matter how silly it seemed. I will never forget our nurse Claudia, who hugged me on a very emotional day. The support and genuine care we felt from the entire staff was truly comforting.”
Alexa and her husband were grateful for the compassion and dedication of their care team, who not only provided medical expertise but also welcomed them as active participants in their daughter’s care. From helping with care-time duties to explaining updates during daily rounds, the team made sure they were always informed and involved.
Life After the NICU
Today, Alexa’s daughter is thriving.
“She is nearly 2 ½ years old and is right on track developmentally — exploring, running, jumping, and an all-around very active and healthy little girl. She has so much fun learning at her daycare center, and her teachers often remark on her curiosity and how smart she is.”
Words of Encouragement
For families just beginning their NICU journey, Alexa offers encouragement:
“It is going to be a roller coaster of emotions, but your baby is in the best place they could possibly be.”
When asked if she would recommend BSA’s NICU, Alexa responded with heartfelt certainty:
“We would recommend the BSA NICU and their team because they are passionate about their job and they do it with all of the love and care you could possibly hope for.”
As we honor NICU Awareness Month, stories like Alexa’s remind us of the courage of NICU families and the dedication of the caregivers who walk alongside them. At BSA, we are proud to support families through their NICU journeys, and to celebrate the milestones that follow.
Click here to learn more about our Level III Neonatal ICU.