Jordyn's Story: A 45-Day NICU Stay During the Pandemic

Andrew, Jordyn and baby Parker were glad to go home after their 45-day stay in Mercy’s NICU.

The new family’s story began in early April 2020, when Jordyn suffered a seizure and required an emergency C-section. Baby Parker was born on April 5 – 10 weeks premature and in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, while many of us were spending the coronavirus quarantine at home, Andrew and Jordyn were “basically living in a hospital,” Jordyn said.

“We chose Mercy initially because of the NICU in the room just in case we needed to utilize it,” she said. “Thank goodness we made the right decision.”

Jordyn is referring to the new standard in NICU care at Mercy, where 100% of Birthplace suites are equipped with NICU technology. This more patient-centered approach improves safety and allows both parents to stay with their newborn in one room for their entire stay – from labor and delivery to postpartum and NICU care.

In June 2020, the Birthplace & NICU celebrated the one-year anniversary of the new model, which allowed both Andrew and Jordyn to stay with Parker for all 45 nights before he was discharged on May 20.

“If Andrew and I both couldn’t have stayed in the room when Parker was in the NICU, it would have been extremely challenging for us as a family,” Jordyn said. “Not being able to experience Parker’s milestones together would have been heartbreaking. We said every day how lucky and thankful we were to both be able to be there together.”

“The Mercy team was quick to respond to Jordyn’s emergent needs," said OB/GYN Associates Obstetrician Joy L. Olson, MD, FACOG. "Mom and baby received excellent care.”