From Fragile Beginnings to Thriving Toddlers: How Micropreemie Twins Isabella and Olivia Beat the Odds
When Hannah Rose went into premature labor at just 26 weeks pregnant, she and her husband were thrust into a whirlwind of fear, uncertainty, and hope. On January 7, 2024, at Wynn Hospital in Utica, New York, their twin daughters — Isabella and Olivia Rose — entered the world far too soon. Weighing just over one pound and two pounds respectively, the girls’ tiny frames were fragile reminders of the challenges ahead.
Both infants were immediately admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) under the care of Rebecca Deeley, M.D., neonatologist and practice medical director at Pediatrix® Neonatology of New York, and her dedicated team. The Wynn’s NICU became the twins’ first safe haven, where their fight for life began.
A High-Risk Arrival
Hannah vividly recalls the tense moments leading up to delivery. Signs of preterm labor had sent her to the hospital earlier than expected, and every minute mattered. Dr. Deeley personally joined her at the bedside during an ultrasound to determine the babies’ positioning ahead of a planned cesarean section.
“When they were born, they obviously weren’t crying or doing the normal things a baby does,” Hannah shared. “The emotions hit me all at once — anxiety, fear, wondering if their lungs could handle breathing on their own. It was overwhelming.”
The delivery was complex but controlled. Dr. Deeley’s team quickly stabilized and intubated the newborns, ensuring their airways were supported. “It seemed pretty seamless,” Hannah said. “Even though they were so premature, the delivery itself went smoothly, and that gave me some peace of mind.”
First Stop: Wynn’s NICU
The initial days in the Wynn NICU were critical. Every hour brought both progress and new challenges. Isabella and Olivia required round-the-clock monitoring, advanced respiratory support, and meticulous medical care to manage complications common in micropreemies.
But due to the complexity of their needs, the twins were soon transferred to a tertiary care center — a facility equipped for the highest level of neonatal care. There, they spent two months receiving specialized treatments to stabilize their growth and address potential developmental concerns.
Coming Full Circle
For Dr. Deeley, one of the most rewarding aspects of her role is seeing patients return to her care after time in a higher-level NICU. That’s exactly what happened with Isabella and Olivia.
“They came back to us,” Dr. Deeley explained. “That’s the amazing part about where I work — we get transports back from our tertiary care partners. We were able to work with the twins for another month before sending them home.”
Back at the Wynn, the medical team shifted its focus from crisis stabilization to preparing the girls for life outside the hospital.
Building Life Skills in the NICU
The last month in the Wynn’s NICU was all about developmental milestones — learning to feed effectively, regulating body temperature without the aid of an isolette, and transitioning from high-flow oxygen to low-flow and eventually to room air.
One unique advantage at Wynn was the private patient rooms, which allowed parents and grandparents to visit as often as they wanted. “Hannah, her husband, and the grandparents could be here constantly,” Dr. Deeley noted. “We also have physical, occupational, and speech therapists who work with the babies — that’s not common in a Level II unit.”
The twins benefited from kangaroo care — skin-to-skin contact that helps regulate an infant’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing while promoting bonding. Being together in a double room meant they could remain close, supporting each other’s development even in those earliest days.
Emotional Highs and Lows
Despite steady progress, the journey was emotionally intense. “It was an emotional rollercoaster that last month,” Hannah admitted. “But the individualized care we received in the private room and the intimacy of working with Dr. Deeley was amazing. She truly goes above and beyond. Nothing was overlooked.”
Every small step forward — whether it was gaining a few ounces, taking a full bottle for the first time, or spending more time breathing room air — felt monumental.
Going Home
After three months in total — one at Wynn, two at the tertiary NICU, and the final month back at Wynn — Isabella and Olivia were finally cleared for discharge. It was a “full-circle moment” for Dr. Deeley, who had been there from the first ultrasound to the day the twins left the hospital.
“I felt lucky to walk through all those steps with them,” she said. “Meeting Hannah before delivery, being there at birth, sending the girls to higher-level care, welcoming them back, and then seeing them go home — that’s rare and special.”
A Milestone Celebration
Fast forward to January 2025 — the girls’ first birthday. The Rose family marked the occasion with a “Winter ONEderland” themed party, surrounded by family and friends who had followed their journey from the start.
Today, at a year-and-a-half old, Isabella and Olivia are not just surviving — they’re thriving. Regular evaluations by occupational, physical, and speech therapists show they’re hitting all age-appropriate milestones, falling within the average developmental range. Even their neurodevelopmental pediatrician has given them a glowing report.
The Power of Specialized Care
For Hannah, the outcome was about more than just medical expertise. It was about the compassion and dedication of the team that stood by them during the most difficult moments of their lives.
“I can’t say enough amazing things about Dr. Deeley,” she said. “She made a traumatic experience bearable. She didn’t just treat our babies — she treated us as a family.”
Dr. Deeley, in turn, credits the resilience of the twins and their family’s active involvement in their care. “They’ve done so well,” she said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know we played a role in helping them get here.”
From One Pound to Perfectly on Track
The twins’ story is one of medical progress, parental strength, and the power of early intervention. What began as a frighteningly premature start has transformed into a testament to modern neonatology and human resilience.
From weighing just over a pound and two pounds to running, playing, and laughing together, Isabella and Olivia’s first 18 months have been nothing short of miraculous. And for the Rose family — and their care team — every milestone is a reminder of just how far they’ve come.
