First-time mom Arlenis Alvarez was looking forward to giving birth to her baby boy at the BirthPlace at Holy Name Medical Center. However, she wasn’t prepared when Enzo decided to arrive eight weeks early, requiring her to have an emergency C-section. Luckily, the staff at Holy Name made Arlenis—and her baby—feel right at home.
“It was so unexpected,” Arlenis says. “Thankfully, Enzo didn’t have any major health issues, but because he was a preemie, he needed to meet some goals before he could come home.”
Weighing 3 pounds, 10 ounces at birth, Enzo needed to gain weight, learn to feed on his own and maintain the appropriate heart rate and body temperature. He also needed oxygen to support his breathing. The multidisciplinary team of experts in the level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which included board-certified neonatologists, specialized nurses, and respiratory therapists, cared for Enzo and helped him get stronger.
“I have no words to describe how wonderful the staff was,” Arlenis says. “They were knowledgeable, kind, and explained everything thoroughly. They took good care of Enzo—and me—because I was there every day. When I was there, I held him skin-to-skin to help keep his temperature up and helped him latch during feedings. It wasn’t easy to leave my baby in the hospital each night, but they made this experience a lot easier.”
At Home and Thriving
Enzo spent three weeks in the NICU before going home to North Bergen. Now five months old, he weighs 13 pounds and is eating both breast milk and formula, but prefers breast milk. He can often be seen napping with Oswaldo, a stuffed octopus gifted to him by the NICU staff. The toy carries his mom’s scent, and its tentacles mimic the umbilical cord, providing an added sense of comfort.
“He’s thriving and meeting a lot of milestones. He’s actually getting pretty heavy now,” Arlenis says with a laugh. “We visited the nurses in the NICU recently, and they couldn’t believe how big he’s gotten. Enzo smiled when he saw them, so I think he remembers being at Holy Name.”
Perhaps the best outcome is that Enzo won’t require any additional specialized care as long as he continues to meet developmental milestones.
“It’s tough to see your little one connected to so many wires, but you’ve got to have faith and trust the healthcare providers,” Arlenis says. “I’m forever thankful for everything the NICU team has done.”
To learn more about the BirthPlace at Holy Name, visit holyname.org/birthplace or call 201-833-3153.
