Approximately halfway through her pregnancy, Kristy Schwartz was diagnosed with a serious illness, preeclampsia. The blood pressure condition, which includes a range of symptoms and affects pregnant women, is the cause of about 15 percent of all premature deliveries in the U.S. At times, Kristy says, her preeclampsia was so severe that all she could focus on was surviving – for herself and her baby.

Envision Women’s and Children’s President and neonatologist Dr. Meg Prado was making rounds on the high-risk mothers and babies in a Tucson, Arizona, facility where Kristy was hospitalized. Dr. Prado was asked by Kristy’s OB-GYN to tell Kristy what to expect regarding the delivery and management of her infant.

On July 20, 2022, at 29 weeks gestation (11 weeks early), Kristy and her husband, Philip, welcomed their son, Tyler, weighing 2 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 15 inches in length. Kristy says she appreciates Dr. Prado and the Envision team for helping her navigate a difficult birth with such expertise and compassion. The team continued caring for Tyler in the NICU for 60 days until he was strong enough to join mom and dad at home.

We are so happy to see the family doing well and grateful to be a part of their journey.