Cindy didn’t expect to have her baby so prematurely. She was busy at work when her water broke at only 24 weeks, and in a matter of seconds her plans changed. She was admitted to St.Vincent Women’s Hospital where she remained on bed rest for another two weeks.

“We thought there was no chance for survival,” recalls Cindy. “So we were thrilled when the neonatologist told us there was a 60 to 70 percent chance that (our baby) could live.” With help from the doctors and nurses at St.Vincent Women’s Hospital and lots of love from her mom and dad, Melea did live. In fact, after a few weeks on the ventilator, and some help closing a hole in her heart, she thrived.

Today, Cindy is truly thankful for the care her family received from the staff at St.Vincent Women’s Hospital. “They were great,” she says. “When you’re in the NICU, it’s like a roller coaster ride. You never know what’s going to happen with your baby, but they were with us every step of the way – and they were wonderful.”
 

After three months in the NICU, Melea was ready to go home. “I actually cried when I left because I was going to miss them,” recalls Cindy. But it wouldn’t be the last time Melea needed some help from St.Vincent. When she contracted pneumonia, she was admitted to St.Vincent Children’s Hospital, and just as before, she got the help she needed.