Brittney didn’t expect her third pregnancy to look any different from the first two, but at 27 weeks and four days pregnant, she unexpectedly delivered her son, Owen, at home.
A day that changed everything
Brittney went into early labor unexpectedly and quickly at her home in Pine City, causing baby Owen to be born in his family’s home. When emergency medical services arrived shortly after, they rushed Owen by helicopter to Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis for specialized neonatal care. Brittney was taken by ambulance to the Mother Baby Center, a collaboration between Allina Health and Children’s Minnesota. As soon as she could, Brittney made her way to see Owen.
Finding steady ground in the NICU
In the Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the highest designation of care, Owen stayed remarkably stable. Brittney says that Owen’s unexpected arrival was difficult for her to process, even with Owen remaining in good condition.
She credits the practical and emotional support around her, including social worker Trina, and resources like the Ronald McDonald House for helping their family stay close. Still today, she remembers how the staff showed up in small but meaningful ways.
“It was like a little fan club,” she said. “Nurses who weren’t even assigned to him that day, they would just pop in just to see him or see me.”
A year of hope and growing
Owen was born weighing just 2 pounds, 7 ounces on June 18, 2025 and spent 59 days in the NICU. His diagnoses were in line with most babies born at that level of prematurity — respiratory distress syndrome and anemia of prematurity, which were both addressed right away.
“He’s medically nothing significant besides being born 2 pounds, 7 ounces and being a really little guy,” Brittney said.
Andrea Lampland, MD, Children’s Minnesota neonatologist, said that Owen was lively and able to breathe on his own with some extra oxygen. “All great things,” she said.
Brittney says that despite having fears throughout Owen’s journey in the NICU, she chose to focus on hope and gratitude.
“I chose not to be that way,” she said. “If you’re doom and gloom all the time, then some things don’t work out. I’m going to love it every time, every step.”
Owen today
Today, Owen is meeting all of his developmental milestones. Owen is happy, healthy, and just turned 1–year–old. Owen enrolled in the Children’s Minnesota Intensive Care Follow-Up program at 4 months. The Intensive Care Follow-up program will continue to follow him until he enters kindergarten. For now, he’s enjoying being a joyful kid, despite his surprise entry into the world.
“We’ve had one appointment, and it was great. We enjoy the people very much,” Brittney said. “Owen gets little gifts, which we’ve never had before. It’s really cool. Those small things are really amazing.”
“I saw Owen and his mother at Owen’s first Follow-Up clinic appointment, and he was doing great,” said Dr. Lampland. “As a neonatologist, one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing these once-fragile infants return months and years later as thriving children. Owen is a powerful reminder of the resilience of premature babies and the positive impact of parent dedication.”
About the Children’s Minnesota Intensive Care Follow-Up Clinic
The Intensive Care Follow-Up Clinic at Children’s Minnesota provides continuing care for babies who are born premature or with medical complexities. Follow-up care is vital for babies who spend time as newborns in an intensive care unit. These babies are at an increased risk for medical and developmental complications in the first few years of life. Follow-up care helps children stay on track for growth and development, and they can receive ongoing care for any medical conditions they might have, in coordination with their pediatrician.
The Intensive Care Follow-Up Clinic sees children from infancy through 5 years of age, and focuses on development, nutrition, parent and family education, and intervention services when needed,
The Intensive Care Follow-up Clinic consists of specialists from across Children’s Minnesota on both the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses. Visit our website for more information.
