Everything’s Coming up Roses – A story of New Life, Miracles and Generosity at the Wynn Hospital
Hannah and Anthony Rose were eagerly awaiting the birth of their twins who were due in April of 2024. Their babies had a little surprise for their mom and dad though – a very early arrival. In the evening hours of January 7, 2024, at just 26 weeks and with only one minute separating their births, the world welcomed Olivia and Isabella Rose. Both were 12 inches long and both were fighting for their lives.
“A lot happened in the days leading up to their birth. I had pre-term labor and had been to the Wynn and then was sent to Crouse, and then I was sent home,” Hannah says. “Soon after arriving home from Syracuse, I knew something wasn’t right. I knew I couldn’t wait any longer and went back to the Wynn where in three hours I went from two and a half centimeters dilated to seven.”
Things were progressing very quickly and a delivery was imminent. Thankfully the staff at the Sammon Family Birthing Center at the Wynn Hospital was ready. Dr. Kwaku Amankwah helped successfully deliver the girls and Dr. Rebecca Deeley one of two neonatologists at the Wynn Hospital, and a team of neonatal nurses, immediately began caring for them once they were delivered.
“I can’t say enough about my OB and the neonatology team at the Wynn Hospital,” Hannah shares. “They were exceptional and so kind and caring. Everyone at the Wynn knew us, they knew what we were going through and what our girls were going through.”
Once the babies were born, emotions were strong as they were quickly whisked away, intubated and stabilized. Mom and dad got a quick glimpse of their daughters as the team brought them by the room in the transport issolette’s being used for their journey to Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, our region’s Level IV NICU. It was there that they would grow and develop over the next eight weeks.
“They were so tiny. One nurse pointed out that Isabella was the same size as an Elf on the Shelf,” says Hannah. “Every step of the way the team at the Wynn explained what was happening and it was just amazing watching my girls fight, survive and thankfully thrive.”
After spending nearly two months in Syracuse the girls were finally able to come home to spend three more weeks at the Wynn Hospital before being officially discharged.
“Being at the Wynn was perfect. It was so close to home and everything was seamless,” says Hannah. “The nurse-to-patient ratio was just amazing and I knew my daughters were getting the very best, specialized care. It was a very intimate experience for our family.”
Hannah shares that she doesn’t know what her family would have done without the Wynn Hospital.
“I am so glad the Wynn is here in our community,” Hannah notes. “It is beautiful and state-of-the-art – I can’t imagine delivering anywhere else. Plus, knowing we have a team that can care for births that go as planned and those that have their own plan is amazing.”
She also acknowledges that the generosity of our community was of great comfort and support during the past several months.
“When you walk into the Wynn Hospital you can see that it’s more than just walls and ceilings and it’s because of the generous donors in our community. In fact, the names on the walls and the donor centers in the various concourses, along with all of the amazing donors to the Sammon Family Birthing Center, have inspired a similar generosity in my husband and I. We want to give back in a small way and help other families in our community with preemies.”
It’s these examples of generosity that she hopes will fuel a similar spirit in others too.
“We all have the power to make a difference and give back,” Hannah shares. “It can be big or it can be small, but in the end it all helps. I have two beautiful daughters who survived a very early start and it’s because of generous individuals and businesses who chose to support a state-of-the-art hospital here in Utica. We are, and forever will be, so very grateful.”