For many parents, the first time they hold their newborn is a moment of pure joy and completeness. But for Helena Roque, that moment came with a mix of fear and uncertainty. Her identical twin boys, Santiago and Raul, were born 11 weeks early—at just 29 weeks—and weighed only two pounds each. Instead of cradling them in her arms, Helena and her sons’ journey began in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
It Started with Multiples
Helena had been planning to deliver her twins at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital since she learned she was expecting. Knowing she was having twins and understanding the potential complexities involved, Helena's pregnancy was considered high-risk from the start.
Premature births are more common in multiple pregnancies, as about 50% of preterm births occur in twins or higher-order multiples due to increased uterine strain or other complications. Babies born this early are medically fragile and require around-the-clock care in a highly specialized environment, which can be an overwhelming experience for new parents. These infants often face challenges such as underdeveloped lungs, difficulty regulating body temperature, and feeding complications due to immature digestive systems. Early intervention and specialized neonatal care are critical in reducing the risk of long-term complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, infections, and developmental delays. Every hour of expert care can make a lasting difference.
The Unexpected Birth
“At 28 weeks, I felt like my water broke, and I rushed to Miller Children’s & Women’s where I was admitted right away,” recalls Helena. “From the moment I met the care team, I felt an overwhelming sense of reassurance. I knew my babies and I were in the best hands.”
The care team determined that Santiago’s amniotic sac was leaking prematurely, a condition that significantly increases the risk of preterm labor and potential complications. To ensure both her safety and that of her babies, Helena was admitted to the Perinatal Special Care Unit (PSCU) at the Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s for close monitoring.
The Unique Environment of the Perinatal Special Care Unit
The PSCU provides care to more than 3,000 women with high-risk pregnancies annually, providing continual monitoring with advanced technology in a peaceful, private environment. The PSCU care team ensures the health of both mother and baby through constant observation, advanced testing, and counseling, managing treatments ranging from regular ultrasounds to complex IV infusions and medication management.
Just one week after Helena was admitted, on November 15, 2023, Helena went into labor. Due to their extremely low birth weight and early arrival, Santiago and Raul were immediately admitted to Miller Children’s & Women’s Level IV NICU, which is the highest designation in California to treat the sickest and most premature babies.
Expert Care for the Tiniest Patients
There is a special part of the NICU called the Small Baby Center, dedicated to extremely low birth weight babies like Santiago and Raul. These micro-preemies, who are in this specialized section of the NICU, have access to the Tiny Baby Program. This program specializes in caring for micro-preemies, which are babies born at less than 28 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1,000 grams (2.2 lbs.).
The Small Baby Center has a specially trained, multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, clinicians, and therapists to ensure that micro-preemies receive care in a nurturing and developmentally supportive environment designed to meet their unique needs. Since micro-preemies haven’t had a chance to fully develop, the Small Baby Center’s lights and sounds are kept hushed. This approach mimics the womb and aids in the babies' growth
“Emotions run high when your babies are admitted to the NICU, but the nurses helped me and my sons feel supported and genuinely cared for,” says Helena. “Although I was scared, I knew my boys were in great hands. The team truly treated us like family.”
When Healthcare Feels Like Home
Several NICU nurses became like extended family for Helena, offering not only expert care but also emotional reassurance during the boys’ long hospital stay. They celebrated every milestone, every ounce gained, every feeding tube removed, and every breath taken without assistance.
“Santiago and Raul were so tiny when they first arrived,” says Michelle Robles, RN, NICU, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “We know how overwhelming this can be for families, so we do everything we can to comfort and empower them, especially when they have to leave their babies with us for weeks or even months.”
After receiving close monitoring and care, Raul was discharged after 77 days, followed by Santiago after 92 days. Although the boys were out of the woods, their journey didn’t end there.
Continuing Care Beyond the Hospital
Once home, the twins were referred to the Cherese Mari Laulhere Children’s Village for follow-up care and therapy. At the Children’s Village, Santiago and Raul received occupational therapy to support motor skills, sensory integration, and overall development. Therapists closely tracked their growth to ensure they were meeting appropriate developmental milestones for their adjusted age.
“Santiago started with occupational therapy first, and Raul joined soon after,” says Helena. “Their therapists, Amara and Kehlani, were so sweet and encouraging, and they treated my boys with so much love.”
In addition to therapy, Santiago received care from the pediatric gastroenterology team at the Children’s Village.
“Santiago was having difficulty swallowing and gaining weight, so we placed a gastrostomy tube to help support his nutrition,” explains Leon Chen, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “After a period of evaluation and support, he no longer needed the tube and is now eating well for his age.”
In Their Thriving Era
Today, Santiago and Raul are thriving.
“They’re both doing great—so sweet, so silly, and always happy,” shares Helena. “Santiago and Raul are now both walking and running. Raul also says about 10 words and absolutely loves food!”
A year after bringing her sons home, Helena describes Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital as her second home—a place that cared for her sons and empowered her during a vulnerable time.
“Because of Miller Children’s, my sons weren’t just born; they were given the strongest possible start in life,” says Helena.
Related Resources
Related Providers
