R.N. gives back to RMHC organization that aided parents 25 years ago
ATLANTA— Northside Hospital registered nurse, Abigail Guerrero, volunteered on Thursday, March 27th at the Ronald Mcdonald House Charities— a nonprofit organization who housed her parents 25 years ago at a Kansas facility.
ATLANTA— Northside Hospital nurse Abigail Guerrero volunteered with Ronald Mcdonald House Charities, the same organization that aided her parents 25 years ago during a high-risk pregnancy in Kansas.
Abigail Guerrero, seen on the left of the Ronald McDonald Statue, and her nursing colleagues.
Garden City to Wichita:
Finding access to intensive care
In 2000, Ruben and Concepcion Guerrero were expecting the arrival of their first child, multiplied by three. As Garden City residents, they stated their local hospitals did not have the necessary provisions to accommodate triplets.
According to a recent 2021 study titled, Kansas maternity deserts: a cross-sectional study of rural obstetric providers,
After receiving guidance from local medical professionals in Elkhart, the Kansas maternity deserts: a cross-sectional study of rural obstetric providerstwo sought care 4 hours away (267 mi.) at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS.
(MAP)
Concepcion stated she was informed early on that her pregnancy was considered high-risk since she was carrying three babies in her womb. From conversations with her doctors, she found out there are several risks associated with triplet pregnancies. A few are listed below according to Traci C. Johnson, MD:
Placenta. The placenta is an organ that attaches to the wall of the uterus and transfers blood, oxygen, and nutrition from mother to baby through the umbilical cord. If a placenta supports more than one baby, it ages faster, limiting your babies’ growth potential.
Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a dangerous condition when your blood pressure gets too high during pregnancy, putting you at risk for seizures. You’re at a much higher risk for preeclampsia with triplets.
Newborn complications. The average weight at birth for triplets is just under 4 pounds. Approximately 20% of triplet pregnancies result in one child having a life-long handicap of some sort.
Being aware of some of these challenges, Concepcion knew she required additional monitoring before going into labor.
did the hospital offer or did mom and dad apply/ advocate for themselves
were they housed at the RMHC Wichita before labor?
RMHC Wichita, KS.
registration process
The Guerrero’s circumstance aligned with the RMHC requirement that each family has one child (age 0-21) receiving medical care, home of residence is 30+ miles from Wichita and a referral has been provided via medical professionals, according to RMHC Wichita website.
did the hospital offer or did mom and dad apply/ advocate for themselves
why were they housed there? babies had to stay in hospital
IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE
The pair set off for Wichita in their [type of car] with only a few bags of clothes, [items] [a month] before Concepcion went into labor.
how long? their experience staying there?
did they house them or us as well, abby and riyonce
pantry full of food? services? how it helped them during that time
staff was like?
Concepcion and Ruben Guerrero welcomed three premature babies on April, 26, 2000.
GIVING BACK, SAYING THANK YOU
Now 25 years later, Guerrero along with her nursing team cooked the families breakfast on Wednesday, March 25th.
Guerrero stated the experience was a full circle moment and she is grateful to have been able to give back to an organization that once provided her family support.
Click below to learn more about the orgization’s mission, resources and ways to get involved.
RMHC Atlanta, GA.
