On Oct. 23, 2023, Lauren and Xavier Schultz, who were expecting twins in six short weeks, drove to Riverside Women’s Care in Bluffton to see Lauren’s obstetrician because her blood pressure had spiked.
“The entire pregnancy I had low blood pressure,” Lauren said, “but for some reason that Monday morning it went crazy high to 171 over 103. My doctor immediately sent me to Coastal Carolina just for more tests and to figure out what was going on.”
By the time they arrived at the Coastal Carolina Women’s Pavilion about an hour later, Lauren’s blood pressure hadn’t come down at all, so they admitted her.
On Oct. 25, 2023, at 34 weeks gestation, Amelia and Charles Schultz entered the world. Amelia weighed only 3 pounds, 5 ounces at birth–the smallest baby ever cared for at Coastal Carolina.
“We started Lauren on magnesium,” said Erica Kubicki, Coastal Carolina RN and nursery clinical lead, “so she was able to get steroids for the baby. After a couple of days, we determined it was best to induce labor due to her pre-eclampsia.”
Pre-eclampsia is a multi-system disorder specific to pregnancy, characterized by the onset of high blood pressure, among other factors. The condition can present after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In severe cases there may be red blood cell breakdown, a low blood platelet count, impaired liver function, kidney dysfunction, swelling, shortness of breath due to fluid in the lungs, or visual disturbances. Pre-eclampsia increases the risk of undesirable as well as lethal outcomes for both the mother and the fetus, including preterm labor.
On Oct. 25, 2023, at 34 weeks gestation, Amelia and Charles Schultz entered the world. Amelia weighed only 3 pounds, 5 ounces at birth–the smallest baby ever cared for at Coastal Carolina; Charles weighed in at a whopping 5 pounds. Both babies were admitted to the NICU.
“The nurses in the NICU were beyond our expectations,” Lauren said. “Xavier and I are so grateful for the entire staff who just embraced us and loved on us more than I can put into words. Our babies were there for three weeks–from Oct. 24 to Nov. 15–and during that time, they walked us through every single thing we needed to know–which, by the way, was a lot.”
Melissa McNulty, Coastal Carolina NICU nurse, had the privilege of taking care of the Schultzes throughout their NICU stay.
“It’s wonderful to watch both the babies and the parents grow so quickly, as they tend to do in the NICU,” McNulty said. “It was so rewarding to work with and teach the parents how to care for their premature twins. Lauren said she had never even changed a diaper before. I remember her first time changing the babies … her hands were shaking, and she kept asking, ‘What do I do?’ So, we literally started step-by-step how to care for her tiny babies. Truthfully, even full-term babies can be intimidating for new parents. Imagine the concern for a baby who is only 3 1/2 pounds.”
The parents and grandparents were frequent, even daily, visitors to the NICU, and Lauren’s mom was impressed with the level of care and expertise the entire staff exhibited toward her newborn preemie grandbabies. One loving example of the extraordinary attention they received was the day of the LSU vs. Florida football game.
“My family are huge LSU fans,” said Lauren, who was born in Baton Rouge, La., but spent every summer on Hilton Head Island. “My husband’s family are huge Florida fans. The day of the game, the staff texted us pictures of the babies holding Florida and LSU signs. It was super special.”
The couple also shared that many of their friends wanted to sympathize with them about having to leave their babies in the NICU, thinking that they must be worried sick.
Charles Schultz was born on October 25 at Coastal Carolina Hospital.
“We never had any doubts at all,” Xavier said. “The level of care at Coastal Carolina NICU was exceptional and alleviated any of our concerns immediately. We couldn’t have asked for more. From the bedside manner to the deep connections we built, we felt completely trusting and at ease from day one.”
Both Kubicki and McNulty were quick to assert that it’s not just the two of them who exude the love and care required to provide comfort to parents and preemies. Every person on the staff at both the Women’s Pavilion and the NICU offer the same attention and affection. Both nurses came to Coastal from larger NICU and newborn facilities and both assert that the nursing staff is strong and successful at teamwork.
“Though we are a three-bed unit, the intimate setting allows us to get to know our families and have a unique opportunity to teach them and lead them to a place of confidence before they take the babies home,” McNulty said. “It’s very special.”
After three weeks, Amelia finally weighed enough to go home in a car seat. At 4 pounds, she still had a way to go to catch up with big Charles. At discharge, the staff sent the family home with four bags full of preemie supplies, including diapers, their graduation gowns as keepsakes, and clothes the babies had worn in the NICU.
“Those small details seriously set us up for success, especially in that first week of being home,” Lauren said.
Lauren, too, had gifts for the NICU staff. She hand-painted canvases for all the nurses with little hearts and the babies’ initials to memorialize the births. And the family has never looked back … except to text pictures of the twins to the nurses and doctors who cared for them and to post photos on the nurses’ Facebook page.
“At my first outing after we got the babies home,” said Lauren, “I told all my friends who are at this stage of life, ‘Don’t even hesitate … Coastal Carolina NICU, the Women’s Pavilion, and everybody there is amazing.”
To learn more, call (843) 784-8000 or stop by for a visit at 1000 Medical Center Drive in Hardeeville.
