Twins born early thrive at Inova Loudoun NICU

Best Start

Inova Loudoun Hospital’s NICU provides expert care for babies in a family-friendly setting

Born at 33 weeks, the twin girls are now all smiles.

For parents-to-be Yana and Glenn Harshman, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unity (NICU) at Inova Loudoun Hospital provided the best possible start for their twin babies, Isabella and Kathrin. For seven months, Yana’s pregnancy had progressed without a hitch. But at week 28, she began experiencing contractions.

Yana was put on bed rest for the next five weeks until one night when she woke in excruciating pain. Her water had broken, so Glenn rushed her to the hospital. From the moment their babies were born at 33 weeks, Yana and Glenn knew they were in capable, caring hands.

Over the next three weeks while their new additions were in the NICU learning to feed and being monitored by the expert nursing staff, Yana and Glenn were encouraged to hold the babies, feed them and change their diapers.

“The doctors, the nurses and the lactation consultants in the NICU were amazing to us and our babies,” says Yana.

“The nurses were always available, always insightful and always helpful,” Glenn adds.

When the couple went home with their infants last January, they were well-prepared for every aspect of their babies’ care.

“They’re doing great,” says Yana, the mother of the twins, who are now 9 months old. “They’re big and fat, and they giggle and talk. They’re not preemies anymore!”

Loudoun County’s only NICU

At Inova Loudoun Hospital, expectant parents will find more than they expect and nothing less than the personalized birth experience they deserve. That means access to a world-class OB team and Loudoun County’s only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“We offer the best of both worlds: the intimacy and personalized care of a community hospital coupled with the most advanced technology and amenities available, including an on-site NICU,” says Cindy Andrejasich, RN, Senior Director, Perinatal Services.

The NICU at Inova Loudoun is staffed with board-certified neonatologists (the same group of doctors serving the NICUs at Inova Children’s Hospital on the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, and Inova Fair Oaks Hospital), neonatal nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, lactation consultants and a dedicated support staff. The team cares for premature babies and newborns with medical conditions requiring specialized care and observation. The strong collaborative relationship with ICH and its pediatric subspecialties allows ILH to provide the best possible care, regardless of the condition.

“We are proud of our state-of-the-art facility, skilled clinical team and neonatal capabilities,”says David Goodwin, MD, Medical Director of Neonatal Services. “In particular, we have an exceptional record in length of stay — which means we get babies healthy and home to their families quicker than many other NICUs.”

A soothing, family friendly environment

Inova Loudoun Hospital recently remodeled the NICU spaces to offer families a more comfortable, soothing atmosphere. Walls now have a cheerful new color scheme with hints of turquoise, green and purple. They are adorned with inspiring portraits of adorable NICU graduates — each holding a former baby photo of himself or herself while in the NICU.