[soft piano music]
[baby rattle shaking and clapping]
[baby babbling]
Having her so early was definitely scary.
It was definitely a shock, a surprise.
[soft music]
After several calls with my doctor, being told it's not labor,
the next day symptoms progressed.
I kept calling the doctor
told it's not labor.
I don't know how to deliver a baby.
I'm by myself.
I hope she's okay.
I hope I'm okay.
I think police were here in maybe three minutes.
Before this, I had never heard of a baby
being born three months early.
I didn't know what that actually meant
in terms of like being able to survive.
It was tough in those first few weeks,
first few days, first few months.
I knew that must have been extremely traumatic.
So I definitely wanted to be a calm,
reassuring person for her.
My name's Jennifer Neiheiser.
I am a registered nurse case manager in the Optum NRS program.
NRS stands for Neonatal Resource Services.
We make first contact
within three days of finding out
that a baby has been admitted to the ICU
and it's not a normal newborn circumstance.
The goal of the program is to
make sure the parents feel supported during their NICU stay
have a successful outcome with their baby, as possible,
to get them home safely
and have all of their needs met.
We didn't know it was part of our benefits.
I think a lot of families probably don't.
You don't plan to be part of the NICU.
No parents expect that to be part of your journey.
So knowing that it was something that
that was part of our insurance, was great.
Jennifer made me feel prepared,
knowing what's ahead of me
and having a better idea of what to expect.
Jennifer made me feel empowered.
I told her not to be afraid to be an advocate for her baby
and to be sure to ask the nurses and the doctors
the questions she had and not to feel intimidated by them.
I think our experience with the delivery,
it was hard because I didn't feel heard.
So what was different here
was having somebody say almost like, I see you.
And that was really nice.
[more upbeat string music]
[door knock and door opening]
Hi, Jennifer. Welcome. - Thank you.
It's so good to see you in person. -It's so nice to finally meet you.
When I walked in today,
I guess I was looking for Arya.
And that was my first thought, where's the baby?
I couldn't wait to see her.
Oh my goodness. I am so glad to meet you.
This visit today has made everything come full circle.
I know I can make a difference.
I know this program as a whole makes a difference.
[music]
Sometimes I just, I look at Arya
and I'm just like, wow, this journey that we've been on,
this is what I've been dreaming of
since the day you were born,
like you being home and healthy.
And wow, I'm so lucky and we're so fortunate
for all the support we had.
Happy families, happy babies,
that's the best part.
[music]