Born at 26 weeks, baby thrives after 82-day NICU stay

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — Karley Benton was 26 weeks pregnant when cramping and pain brought her to Baptist Health Paducah’s Obstetrical Emergency Department.

Doctors determined Benton, then 22, was in preterm labor and already 4 centimeters dilated. Just over an hour after arriving, she delivered her daughter, Lovett, who weighed 1 pound, 12 ounces.

Lovett spent 82 days in the hospital’s John and Loree Eckstein Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before going home. She is now a healthy toddler.

“Finding out that Lovett could stay at Baptist instead of immediately being transferred hours away was one of the biggest blessings during the hardest time of our lives,” Benton said.

The hospital said its NICU can provide advanced care for babies born as early as 26 weeks. The unit is staffed by neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, advanced practice providers and neonatologist Dr. Edward O’Neill.

Baptist Health Paducah also provides neonatal transportation from surrounding communities and maternal transfer services intended to keep mothers and babies together whenever possible.

The hospital’s obstetrical emergency department is open around the clock for pregnancy and postpartum concerns, including labor evaluations, complications and unscheduled deliveries.

“When minutes matter, distance matters,” said Lisa Parnell, the hospital’s director of mother and baby care. “Having advanced neonatal care available locally means babies can receive the specialized treatment they need without being separated from their families or transferred hours away.”

For information about labor and delivery services or to schedule a tour, call 270-415-7264.