As Hannah Varela eagerly awaited the birth of her first child – a daughter named Sofia – she didn’t think too much about breastfeeding. When feeding her baby didn’t go as Hannah hoped, she got help from Akron Children’s Breastfeeding Medicine. Latching and oversupply issues lead Hannah to seek help Sofia had trouble latching onto […]
Patient Stories
Ashland baby is Akron Children’s first NICU 22-week preemie to survive in 14 years
Megan Wolbert works at Wooster Community Hospital as a sonographer. When she started having contractions in March at 22 weeks of her pregnancy, she was glad to be at work surrounded by medical caregivers and resources. When an initial exam showed she was already in active labor, she knew enough to assume she and her […]
Gabrielle’s growing, learning and thriving after care for gastroschisis
Before she was born, Gabrielle Richardson of Cuyahoga Falls became an Akron Children’s patient. Thanks to an array of Akron Children’s specialists, a strong support system and lots of prayer, she has exceeded all expectations. A look back In-utero testing showed Gabrielle had gastroschisis. This birth defect occurs when the abdominal wall doesn’t form completely, […]
Julian’s journey from cleft diagnosis to a confident smile
Pregnant with her first child in 2018, Lindsay George was looking forward to her 20-week ultrasound. But amid the excitement came unexpected news: Her unborn baby had a cleft lip and palate. Unfamiliar with the condition, Lindsay wasted no time learning everything she could. “I wanted to be prepared, so I did a lot of […]
Quick, calm action by Akron Children’s home nurse saves mom’s life
Nicole Pamias had an EpiPen® but had never needed to use it. By the time she needed to use it, her eyes were almost swollen shut – and she unable to read instructions. She could feel her windpipe closing in. Panic was setting in. But, as fate would have it, she had a nurse in […]
West Virginia mom’s intuition leads to lifesaving diagnosis for her son
As a licensed practical nurse and mom of 2, Jennifer Castleberry has long relied on her instincts. But nothing tested them quite like the mysterious, lingering symptoms that plagued her energetic 8-year-old son, Negan. For months, Negan battled recurring respiratory issues. Then came the night wakings, leg pain and headaches. Jennifer’s concern grew despite rounds […]
