Download the 2012 Annual Report - Arkansas Children's Hospital

Imagine the excitement of learning you areexpecting your first child. Now imagineexcitement being replaced by fear. That’swhat happened to Melissa and Derek whentwo months into their pregnancy an ultrasoundrevealed Nathan had gastroschisis, acondition in which his intestines were floatingoutside his body.Facing a potentially lifethreateningsituation,Nathan would requiresurgery moments afterhe was born. For thenext seven monthsthey waited, hoped andprayed.“It was the longest sevenmonths of my life,”said Nathan’s mother,Melissa. “The doctorsreassured us they wouldtake great care of our baby, but the waiting wasmore difficult than you could imagine.”Extra precaution was taken throughout Melissa’spregnancy. The primary concern was for Nathan tobe a full-term baby. There was a strong possibilityNathan would be underweight when he was born.Had he arrived early, his existing complicationscould have increased dramatically.Careful planning made all the difference. Nathan’sbirth was scheduled for June 13, 2012 at UAMS. Heweighed five pounds, one ounce. The first part of theplan had come together. Nathan was full-term andhis weight, while not ideal, was manageable.Moments after Nathan was born, and before hisparents even had an opportunity to hold him, he wastransported by ambulance to ACH where a surgicalteam awaited.After a successful surgery,he spent the next sevenweeks in the NeonatalIntensive Care Unit hereat ACH. In the seventhweek of his stay, Nathanhad the distinction of beingone of the first babiesto occupy the SouthWing’s new NeonatalIntensive Care Unit.It was here, in the comfortof an environment designed specifically for them,that Melissa, Derek and Nathan spent the nighttogether as a family for the very first time.For us, it was the true definition of family-centeredcare. For them, it was the beginning of their livestogether.2012 was more than ayear of celebration.It was the yearNathan arrivedand changed hisparents’ livesforever.The Possibility of GivingEvery week, critically ill babies are transported to ACH’sNeonatal Intensive Care Unit for life-saving care. Last year,the Angel One transport team made more than 2,100 trips,enfolding the region in a network of care.8 9