Danielle Turner was six weeks from her baby’s due date when her water broke.
The 35-year-old woman and the baby’s father, Shane Patton, rushed to OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, Illinois.
“It was pretty scary,” Danielle said of that October 13, 2018, afternoon. “I actually wasn’t in any pain. My water was still breaking. About an hour after I got up to the birthing center I started having contractions. They gave me a shot of medication to help the baby’s lungs develop more. We were trying to hold off until the next day to allow time for a second shot, but she was ready.”
Danielle underwent a caesarean section that evening and the couple welcomed Danica, a 5-pound, 6-ounce bundle of joy.
Getting expert care, close to home
The baby was immediately tended to by the neonatology specialists from OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, Illinois, who work in the birthing center at OSF St. Joseph. The hospital began providing the extra level of care for all newborns more than a year ago.
Danielle lives in Bloomington and was unaware OSF St. Joseph had neonatology providers staffed around-the-clock.
“I didn’t know they had neonatal care. I thought for sure we’d be going to Peoria because I was so early. It was so nice to be able to be with her,” she said.
After her birth, Danica began losing weight and was put on a feeding tube.
“She was just so little, she couldn’t stay awake long enough to feed,” Danielle said.
The hospital stay
Danielle Turner, baby Danica, and Shane Patton.
Danica remained at OSF St. Joseph for two weeks.
“In the two weeks, she got off the feeding tube. That was a major milestone,” Danielle said.
With an 11-year-old son at home, Danielle was glad to not have to travel back and forth to Peoria to be with her newborn daughter.
“They took good care of my baby at OSF St. Joseph,” Danielle said. “They’d talk to you multiple times a day and update you. They were very hands-on. They would explain it so we could understand it. Everyone was wonderful. I was comfortable leaving her when I’d have to go home to care for my son.”
Healthy and happy
Today, Danica is 9 pounds and doing well.
“I’m just really happy with how wonderful everyone was – not just to me, but to my entire family,” Danielle said.
Patients in the Bloomington-Normal area like Danielle can have peace of mind knowing that OSF HealthCare is committed to providing around-the-clock neonatology care close to home at OSF St. Joseph birthing center.
Last Updated: February 13, 2019