From the NICU to Home: A Family’s Story of Love and Gratitude

At 29 weeks pregnant, Sarah felt great—active and full of energy. But then, she started experiencing pain. A visit to their local hospital in Coldwater, Ohio, revealed shocking news: she was in pre-term labor. Before they had time to process it, Sarah and her husband, Alex, were careflighted to Miami Valley Hospital. A week later, at just 30 weeks, their daughter Izzy was born.

The NICU was overwhelming for Sarah and Alex. “My husband, Alex, and I were very scared of seeing and even holding her in the NICU,” Sarah recalled. Doctors initially expected Izzy to stay in the NICU for at least nine weeks, but to their surprise, after just five weeks, they were able to bring her home. Throughout their journey, the Family Room inside Emmett’s Place at Miami Valley Hospital became their refuge, offering much-needed comfort and support.

The Family Room gave Sarah and Alex a place to rest, eat, and do laundry without being far from Izzy. “With the family room beside the NICU, we could hold Izzy sometimes 12 hours a day whenever we weren’t eating, sleeping, or pumping,” Sarah explained. “We were so grateful for the kind workers, the laundry services, and the free food and snacks.”

With the support of Emmett’s Place, the new parents spent as much time as possible with Izzy, cherishing every moment. “We used Emmett’s Place every day, and sometimes multiple times a day,” Sarah shared. “I never left Dayton to go home, and my husband only left two times a week towards the end to return to work.”

Today, Izzy is home and thriving. Sarah and Alex are forever grateful for Emmett’s Place, the NICU staff, and RMHC Dayton. Their journey was challenging, but they never felt alone. To show their gratitude, the family returned to Emmett’s Place on Izzy’s first birthday, bringing treats for the families staying there. “We are starting a tradition that we will come back every year to give thanks and show Izzy the people we pray for every night.”