When Meredith developed preeclampsia, the Cedar Falls family knew their baby would need the specialized care of a NICU. At just 30 weeks gestation, baby Otto was born at Unity Point Health St. Luke’s Hospital.
The NICU was more than an hour from their home, and their baby needed his mom and dad by his side. The Ronald McDonald Family Room provided the comforts and necessities of home while being just steps away from Otto’s hospital room. “We stayed in the Sleep Room for quite a few nights. This allowed us to remain close to our son and prioritize our time with him as he moved closer to being discharged. The Sleep Room provided us a sense of home at the end of a long day in the NICU, where we could also prioritize our rest within walking distance of Otto’s room.” The meals and snacks offered in the Ronald McDonald Family Room gave them one less thing to worry about. “With the stress of a NICU stay and managing another child at home with grandparents, it was great knowing that the Ronald McDonald Family Room was there to be a place of relaxation, relief, and support.”
“I can truly say that the staff, volunteers, and facilities with the St. Luke’s Ronald McDonald Family Room helped make our NICU stay more comfortable. We are forever grateful for all the support and love we received from the RMHC community during Otto’s NICU stay.”
-The Pecinovsky Family
