Benjamin was born first, weighing in at 3 pounds, 13 ounces. Arriving second was Nathan, the smallest, at only 2 pounds, 13 . ounces. And then 3-pound Emma joined her brothers, with all three babies’ entrances directed by James Maly, MD, and Svjetlana Dziko, MD.
Gail’s experience with BryanLGH began just four weeks into her pregnancy when she was hospitalized with early complications. Even though she had delivered her 7-year-old son, Nick, at another local hospital, after experiencing the BryanLGH facility and staff for four days, she made a decision to give birth to her triplets at BryanLGH.
Gail says, “There was no way I was going anywhere else to deliver my babies. The nurses were so wonderful. I felt aninstant connection with them — I just fell in love with the whole environment.”
“We knew there would be risks carrying triplets because of my age (36) and my thyroid disorder,” she continues. “But I expected to deliver healthy babies. I wasn’t prepared for all of the health complications and long stays — but the staff at BryanLGH provided support throughout my stay and after we went home.”
The babies were born with health challenges. Benjamin was a good weight but had other complications and needed to be on an apnea monitor when he went home. Emma had to undergo a blood transfusion and was monitored for a cardiac disorder commonly associated with prematurity. Nathan was born with a severe brain hemorrhage and had complicated feeding issues. The BryanLGH Level III NICU is capable of treating babies as young as 24 weeks for all but the rarest of medical complications, so the triplets were able to stay in Lincoln.
All three babies went home at separate times: Emma at 5 . weeks, Benjamin at 8 . weeks and Nathan at 11 . weeks. Gail says, “Being in the NICU area so long, I got to know the nurses quite well, and we seemed to really bond with them. I feel like they loved those children like they were their own. And the neonatologists were wonderful.”
Care provided to the Loxterkamp triplets was directed by Board certified neonatologists Albert Ansah, MD, Mark Brisso, MD, and Lawrence Bausch, MD. Dr. Ansah happened to be the triplets’ primary neonatologist.
“Dr. Ansah took time to explain everything to us in a very positive manner. We took comfort in his expertise and knowing we could ask any question and get straight-up answers — answers that were delivered with compassion,” Gail recalls.
Less than two weeks after the babies were born, Gail developed a condition that led to her having another surgery. “The neonatologists, themselves — all three of them — would call me with progress reports. Every day. Every single day. I was really impressed with that,” she says.
“When I have been back from Beatrice to visit, Dr. Ansah has come out and held the babies; he is a very caring doctor and you can just tell that he loves them.” The families and the NICU team develop strong relationships, and it can be bittersweet when families go home.
“But when we part, it isn’t goodbye, but rather, ‘See you later,’ as most come back to visit us periodically,” adds Dr. Ansah.
To learn more about the BryanLGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, click here.
