Twice the Strength: A Journey Through the NICU with Everly and Henrik

When Kelsey West became a mom for the first time, she never imagined her introduction to motherhood would begin in the Trinity Health Grand Rapids Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). At 30 weeks pregnant, she woke up in intense pain. Within 48 hours, she was undergoing an emergency C-section due to the sudden onset of preeclampsia, dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy.

“I had no idea what the NICU was or what our story was unfolding into,” Kelsey recalls. “It wasn’t anything like I expected.”

Everly was born at 30 weeks and 5 days, weighing just 2 pounds 11 ounces. It was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the protocols made an already isolating experience even lonelier. But the NICU staff quickly became her lifeline.

“They were amazing,” Kelsey says. “Everly was a rockstar. She spent 31 days in the NICU and had no major complications, other than just needing to grow big enough to fit in her car seat.”
Steven Gelfand, MD, FAAP, regional medical director of Newborn Medicine and section chief of Neonatology at Trinity Health West Michigan, oversees care in the NICU.

“Caring for premature babies during the height of the pandemic was both a challenge and a privilege. We knew that every moment counted, not just for the health of these tiny patients, but for the emotional well-being of their parents, many of whom were navigating the NICU for the first time under incredibly stressful circumstances,” said Dr. Gelfand. “Our team worked tirelessly to provide not only medical care, but also reassurance, compassion, and connection during a time when physical closeness was limited.”

Four years later, Kelsey found herself back in familiar territory. Her second pregnancy was high-risk from the start, with pre-eclampsia developing more gradually. At 32 weeks, Henrik was born weighing 3 pounds 8 ounces.

This time, Kelsey knew what to expect, but that didn’t make the journey easier. Henrik’s NICU stay was longer and more complicated. After seven weeks, he was discharged, only to be readmitted three days later due to feeding issues.

“It was more stressful,” Kelsey says. “We had multiple setbacks. And this time, I had a toddler at home who didn’t understand why she couldn’t see her baby brother.”

Kelsey and her husband took turns visiting Henrik and caring for Everly, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. “We were apart for two months, trading shifts. It was hard on all of us.”

“Feeding challenges are common in preemies and can persist after discharge. When babies struggle to gain weight or feed effectively, it can lead to readmission, something we work hard to prevent through early support and close follow-up,” said Dr. Gelfand.

The emotional toll was heavy. Kelsey battled postpartum depression while navigating the demands of NICU life and parenting a toddler. “Everly was so excited when Henrik came home the first time. Telling her he had to go back was heartbreaking.”

Despite the challenges, Kelsey found comfort in the familiar faces of NICU nurses who had cared for Everly. “I could cry with them, be vulnerable. They hugged me, listened, and made me feel loved. I trusted them completely.”

The NICU staff went above and beyond to make the experience feel personal. Henrik wasn’t home for Halloween, and Everly had missed New Year’s Eve during her stay. The nurses created crafts and costumes, including a heart-shaped footprint art from Henrik that read, “I love my big sister.”

“That meant so much,” Kelsey says. “They made our whole family feel included.”

“In the NICU, we focus on more than just medical care. We create moments of comfort for families during some of their most vulnerable days. Family-centered care means being present not only for the babies, but for the parents’ emotional journey too,” said Michaela Behrens, RN, Trinity Health Grand Rapids NICU nurse.

Leaving the NICU was bittersweet. “You mourn the loss of uninterrupted time with your baby. The nurses become your support system, and you see them every day. It’s hard to say goodbye.”

Before Henrik arrived, the West family attended the NICU reunion as a family of three, which was a full-circle moment. “We got to show Everly where she started, introduce her to the nurses who cared for her. It helped us tell her story.”

Today, both Everly and Henrik are thriving. Everly, nearly five, is about to start preschool. She loves Barbie, Disney, and playing pretend. Henrik is crawling and lights up when his big sister walks into the room.

“Their bond is the most precious thing,” Kelsey says. “Everly is the sweetest big sister.”

Kelsey’s journey through the NICU twice was filled with uncertainty, emotion, and resilience. She’s grateful for the care her children received and the compassion shown to her family.
“Small acts meant everything,” she says. “I felt safe leaving my babies with the nurses. They saved their lives, and they made us feel normal in a time that was anything but.”

Learn more about how Trinity Health Michigan’s NICU teams are prepared to give the tiniest patients the strongest possible start to life.