The experience has given her a new perspective on the families she has cared for throughout her career.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Caitlin Vaccaro has spent the past 10 years helping families through some of their hardest days as a NICU nurse. Now, she finds herself on the other side of that care after giving birth to her son, Caleb, who arrived at 34 weeks — six weeks early.
“When I went into preterm labor, I was like, ‘No, I’m going to have to spend even more time with my co-workers,’” Vaccaro said.
For Vaccaro, however, this NICU stay feels different from most. The halls and faces around her are familiar after years spent working alongside the same staff members now caring for her son.
Now, she is leaning on the same friends and colleagues she has worked beside for years. She says this support has become invaluable during an emotional time.
“Yesterday, one of my friends, she’s like, ‘He was crying, so I just came and held him because I knew you needed to rest,'” she recalled. “Not anyone would just do that. But they’re my family, so he’s part of their family now, too.”
The experience has also given Vaccaro a new perspective on the families she has cared for throughout her career.
“This experience has just made me appreciate my NICU parents more and the support that they need,” she said.
Her husband said the experience has also deepened his appreciation for the work done inside the NICU.
“Being here, I just gained a whole other level of appreciation for what she does and workers here,” he said. “It’s truly incredible.”
For the nurses who have known Vaccaro for years, caring for Caleb is more personal than a typical patient assignment.
“You just want to provide the best care, because I love her as a person,” one nurse said.
What began as a workplace friendship a decade ago is now helping guide Vaccaro’s family through one of life’s most emotional moments.
“Very special, special moment. I’m just so happy for him, happy that he’s healthy,” a nurse said. “He’s obviously in the NICU, so it’s not the best case scenario, but he’s doing so well.”
Doctors are monitoring Caleb’s feeding, weight gain and blood sugar levels before he can go home. His parents say he is doing well so far and remains on track to meet the milestones expected during his NICU.