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Bringing
Home
Babies
care at Kootenai was the McVey family. K.C. and Sarah
McVey, both dentists in Coeur d’Alene, were expecting
their first child. Make that children—early in Sarah’s preg-
nancy they learned they were expecting twins. Because
Sarah’s father, FredAmbrose, M.D., is an obstetrician and
gynecologist, they were well aware of the risks.
“We knew that with twins there is a risk they may
come early,” K.C. said. “We were very concerned at
first that we might not be able to have the babies at
Kootenai. Staying close to home was huge in our
minds. We were nervous, so we really wanted to be
in a caring hospital with a tight-knit group of nurses
and doctors we knew.”
True to the way of twins, the babies came six weeks
early. At just 3 pounds, 8 ounces, and 5 pounds, 5 ounces
respectively, Gracie and Charlie joined the family. Al-
though both babies were full of life, both needed neonatal
intensive care right away.
“I knew we were in good hands, but I was still really
nervous,” Sarah said. “Gracie needed oxygen, and both
babies were just too little to eat on their own, so they both
needed feeding tubes.”
“The nurses were phenomenal,” K.C. said. “Dr. Webb
was also really personable and comfortable. She kept us
informed every step of the way. It was like we’d known
her for years.”
By Kim Anderson
FOR COUPLES WHO WANT CHI LDREN,
learning they are going to be parents is a time
of joy. It’s also a time of questions. Boy or girl?
Where will the baby be born? What will the
birth be like? And sometimes, there’s a twist.
“Ten percent of the babies born in Idaho in 2010 were
pre-term,” said Lori Schneider, director of women and
children’s services. “When these babies are born, some-
times they need the specialized care that is only available
through a neonatal intensive care program. If that care
is not available at the parents’ hospital of choice, it can
mean going out of the area for care.”
In 2011, Kootenai Health began developing a neonatal
intensive care program. Working with neonatologists
Priscilla Hancock, M.D., and Kathleen Webb, M.D., the
nurses and staff at Kootenai’s birthing center began refin-
ing the way they delivered care so even tiny premature
infants could receive the treatment they need at Kootenai.
Recently, a third neonatologist, Kimberly Judd, M.D.,
has joined their team.
One of the first families to benefit from this enhanced
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