History was made at Centennial Hills Hospital in June when the first set of triplets was born there. Weighing just over 3 pounds each, they needed the specialty services only a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) could provide.
Mothers Rickisha Allen and Leilani Estavan chose to have their babies at Centennial Hills Hospital because of its specialized NICU care. Allen says her OB-GYN Lamarr Tyler, DO, helped them with their decision and knew it would be the “best” for their baby girls.
Dr. Tyler and Allen’s maternal-fetal medicine physician, Joel Schwartz, MD, supported her throughout her pregnancy, helping her get to 32 weeks, when the triplets were born by cesarean section. The newborns spent nearly one month under the watchful eye of specialty neonatal clinicians who helped them grow and thrive so that they could go home.
“I loved my doctors and everyone in labor and delivery was so nice. I felt like we were well taken care of,” says Allen. “The NICU was amazing,” she adds, remarking on how supportive the nurses were during their babies’ stay. Today the triplets are settled in at home and are doing great. “They’re really happy babies, always smiling,” Allen says.
What is a neonatal intensive care unit?
The Valley Health System has four hospitals with maternity services. All of the hospitals also have Level II neonatal intensive care units for infants who are moderately ill. Centennial Hills, Spring Valley and Summerlin hospitals also have Level III NICUs to treat seriously ill or premature infants. Each NICU has specially trained personnel, such as neonatologists, nurse practitioners, NICU-trained nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and occupational therapists who provide comprehensive care for high-risk newborn infants including preemies and those with complex and critical illness.
Learn more about the NICU at Centennial Hills Hospital >
In addition to Centennial Hills Hospital, NICU care within The Valley Health System is provided at Spring Valley Hospital, Summerlin Hospital and Henderson Hospital, which recently opened an 8-bed Level II NICU. Learn more >