Methodist Health System | Methodist Richardson Medical Center | Shine | Fall 2015

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Being born in the
right place matters
With four possible levels of care, a neonatal
intensive care unit (NICU) can make a difference in
the well-being of a newborn. It’s important to know
the care provided with each NICU level.
Methodist Richardson Medical Center boasts
a Level III NICU, able to treat many infant-related
illnesses with some of the latest technology and
treatment options.
As Lilian St. John, MD, neonatologist with
Methodist Richardson, explains, “For families in
Richardson, having a Level III NICU means that
there is a higher level of care available in their
own backyard.”
Methodist Richardson’s NICU team
was there for preemie Angelik Tobias
Estela Tobias couldn’t believe how well her second pregnancy
was going.
“Other than a couple months of nausea, I had no discomfort,
and I could still eat Mexican food, which I love,” Estela says. “It
was a wonderful experience, compared to my first pregnancy.”
The Tobiases’ first child, Leonardo Jr., had arrived 17 weeks
early. He spent more than six months in a neonatal intensive care
unit (NICU) and endured multiple surgeries. Unable to walk
or feed himself at 3 years old, he continues to bear the effects of
premature birth.
“I was told that I was at high risk for another premature
delivery,” Estela says. “But it felt so different, I was sure things
would be great.”
On Jan. 2, not yet 26 weeks into her pregnancy, Estela
learned otherwise.
A turn for the worse
That winter morning was a cozy one in the Tobiases’ Garland
home. Leonardo Jr. was playing. Breakfast was cooking on the
stove. Visiting relatives were enjoying conversation.
But Estela was in pain.
“All of a sudden, my water broke,” she says. “Then I started
bleeding profusely.”
Leonardo Sr., Estela’s husband, rushed her to Methodist
Richardson Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with a
ruptured placenta and underwent an emergency cesarean section.
At 12:30 p.m., a very weak Angelik Tobias entered the world,
weighing only 1 pound 15 ounces. At 25 weeks and 5 days’
gestation, she was the same age as her brother when he was born.
Estela feared her daughter would face the same fate as he.
PRIVACY WITH YOUR PREEMIE
Methodist Richardson Medical Center’s NICU offers
private suites for families and their premature infants to
bond. Learn more about our first-class neonatal care at
.
Success
— Continued on page 10
Level
I
Level
II
Level
III
Level
IV
A well-care nursery; cares for
newborns in stable condition.
Cares for infants requiring
assisted ventilation or
continuous positive airway
pressure. These babies
may be 32 weeks or older,
weighing 1,500 grams
or more.
Offers a full range of
respiratory support with
access to pediatric medical
subspecialists. Infants may
be 32 weeks or younger,
usually weighing less than
1,500 grams.
Provides surgical repair of
complex congenital or acquired
conditions with immediate on-
site access to subspecialty care.
Methodist Richardson Medical Center • ❁ Fall 2015 9