Ayden and Ava’s Story

NICU family care at Niswonger Children’s Hospital

Johnson City, Tennessee

Kim didn’t expect to go into labor three months before her due date, which meant she would spend the rest of her pregnancy in the hospital. Of course, she didn’t expect her babies to be born two months early weighing less than 3 pounds, and she certainly didn’t expect to have a hysterectomy following a C-section.

When the twins were born, two NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) teams were set up, one for each baby. Then, when the doctor had trouble stopping the bleeding following her C-section, her husband Harold provided consent for a hysterectomy. Afterward, the nurses were understanding and encouraging, explaining the procedures and care provided to Ayden and Ava.

“They weren’t just there to take care of my babies; they were there to take care of me, as well,” recalls Kim. “I don’t know if they knew how much that meant to me.”

When the twins went home at two months old, the nurses continued to provide support for Kim as they followed up with her.

Today, Ayden and Ava are typical kindergarteners, and Kim is grateful for the caregivers at Niswonger Children’s Hospital, who gave them a happy ending.

Want to learn more about Niswonger Children’s Network?

The Niswonger Children’s Network is dedicated to improving the health and future of the Appalachian Highlands through expert pediatric care so that we can share more heartwarming stories like Ayden and Ada’s.

Read more Niswonger Children’s Stories here.