Northwestern Health Network

Our team, Northwestern Medicine Health Network is part of the movement to create positive change for moms and babies everywhere, especially those most at risk. 

With preterm birth and maternal death rates continuing to rise, we’re committed to raising funds so that every family gets the best possible start. And you can help us. 

We are inspired by the Niemiec Family: Emily & Shane's Story. Together we’ll be part of a movement to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy. Please consider donating and/or purchasing a shirt to support: March of Dimes: T- Shirts and sign up here! 

Emily & Shane's Story 

Shane was born extremely early at 25 weeks, 15 weeks early, on June 23rd 2025. He was born weighing 1lb 10.5 oz and 12.8inches. Leading up to his birth was relatively a very easy pregnancy no complications or anything, until June 10. On June 10th (23 weeks and 1 day) I woke up with bleeding, unsure with what was going on my husband, Justin, woke up his sister to watch our oldest son Logan and took me to the hospital. At the hospital they did some tests and came to the conclusion that my water broke. The doctors at Huntley hospital determined that I needed to go to a hospital with a higher level nicu. They started me on magnesium and off we went to Central Dupage Hospital. At the hospital the doctors gave me a steroids to help Shane’s lungs. During my stay at the hospital I had 2 rounds of steroids and 3 magnesium drips. Around a week into my stay my placenta started to rupture, this lead to an infection which led to bleeding. June 23rd I woke up to labor pains and heavy bleeding, Maternal Fetal Medicine doctors as well as the OBs said that Shane had to come today. I called Justin, who was home with Logan, he came right away. The day Shane was born everything moved very quickly. At 5:23pm Shane was born, and now came the Nicu journey. 

  During Shane’s 109 day stay at the Nicu he was such a fighter, he showed remarkable resilience that showed me and our family that so much strength can come from such a tiny person. Shane’s lungs being so small he had a hard time breathing on his own. The day he was born the neonatologists had him on a high frequency oscillator for 2 days. He then went on to a ventilator for a week, then moved onto a CPAP for 6 days. Shane needed a little more help and time for his lungs to get bigger and stronger, so the choice was made to re-intubate him. He was on the ventilator after that for another 15 days. After those 15 days he was stronger and could handle the CPAP better, he was on CPAP for another 47 days. Then graduating to the high flow oxygen for 14 days, then on low flow oxygen. On October 4th (11 days later) Shane was off oxygen and doing great. During Shane’s Nicu stay he had a great care team, the day Shane was born we met Cassie who was Shane’s day time primary. On day 3 we met Shannon who became his night time primary. Later in his nicu journey Katie and Lynn joined the team. Having such a great care team was a major part of Shane’s success. Due to great doctors, great nurses and Shane’s willingness to fight he was able to drink from a bottle and breastfeed by mid September. On October 10th we said goodbye to the nicu and took our beautiful baby home. 

  Bringing Shane home was amazing but very different than bringing home our oldest son Logan. Shane needed therapy and different types of doctor appointments like cardiology to follow up with his pvc. Shane is now in pt, ot, and speech therapy. He is such a trooper and is such a hard worker, even though he is stubborn. We are working on starting solid foods soon and sitting up, as well as trying to give bottles ( which in January he started to cough and choke when drinking). Big brother Logan loves having Shane home, he plays with him so well, Shane lights up and gives the best giggles when watching him. Shane has came such a long way, we are so excited and grateful to be now starting to plan his first birthday party.