A Triple Dose of Love Experience As Neonatal Nurse Prepares Mother for Preemie Duty

By Abby Scalf Daily Herald Staff Writer

Neonatal nurse Kim Irvin has spent 16 years at Evanston Hospital caring for premature babies and providing support for their parents.

But in January 2005, Kim and husband Scot had their own life change. Kim gave birth at 32 weeks to triplets, Olivia, Ryan, and Kailee.

Kim said her work experience both helped and hindered her ordeal. It was difficult knowing the risks associated with triplets, but she knew the importance of prenatal care and how to care for them.

“It helped with especially getting them on a schedule, being on a routine,” she said. “Feeding preemies also is different because they eat slower than term babies.”

Grateful to now have three healthy 2-year-olds who look up to big brother, 4-year-old Will, Kim said they look forward to help other families.

The Irvin family of Vernon Hills has been named this year’s March of Dimes WalkAmerica 2007 Ambassador Family for Lake County.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. WalkAmerica is the March of Dimes’ largest national fundraiser.

“We are so grateful to have four healthy children,” she said. “We wanted to do something to help the March of Dimes so everyone can have the chance to have healthy children.”

The average gestation period for triplets is 33 weeks. The Irvin babies were born at 32 weeks at Evanston Hospital, which is part of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare.

Olivia was 4 pounds, 10 ounces, Ryan was 3 pounds, 12 ounces, and Kailee was 3 pounds, 15 ounces. They stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which the March of Dimes was instrumental in developing. Kailee stayed for 2 1/2 weeks, Olivia for 3 weeks and Ryan for 3 weeks. However, the triplets were fortunate because they were never put on ventilators nor did they have any trouble with their lungs.

“We were very blessed they had a remarkably quiet stay there,” she said.

The 2-year-olds have developed different personalities. Kim said Olivia is motherly and sweet. If one of the children can’t find a blanket, she will be the one to get it. Ryan is laid-back and likes to entertain himself by playing with the trains.

Kailee is talkative, assertive and “a little director.” She will tell everyone what role each person should do when planning an activity.

“Individuality was always very important to me. I’m happy about it,” she said. “They have different things they like to do. I hope they continue that as they grow up.”

After walking with the Evanston Northwestern Hospital WalkAmerica Team in the past, Kim is happy to be leading her own family’s WalkAmerica Team, “W.O.R.K. Irvin,” which stands for her children’s initials.

The Irvins not only will bring their four children on the walk but also will walk alongside team members from across the country on Sunday.

Her parents, Terry and Judy Murray will come from Sarasota, Fla. to join the walk as will her sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Chris Palmieri and 1-year-old niece Hanna from New York.

The family is all working to raise funds to give to the March of Dimes. The funds raised at all six walk sites across the Chicago area will be used to support research and education for the Prematurity Campaign.

Kim added, “They not only do stuff to help babies born prematurely but also provide prenatal education to teach women to stay healthy.”

A precious cause

What: WalkAmerica, the walk to save babies, supports the March of Dimes fight to save babies from premature birth and from other serious threats to infant health. Last year, the Lake County WalkAmerica raised $130,000, said Pamela Chay, Lake County WalkAmerica chairwoman. The goal this year is to reach $155,000.

WalkAmerica has become the March of Dimes largest fundraiser, raising more than $1.7 billion in 1,100 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Now in its 37th year, WalkAmerica is expected to draw 1 million walkers. Overall, more than 7 million men, women and children will participate as sponsors, volunteers and walkers this year.

When: 9 a.m. Sunday

Where: 1801 Sunset Road, Highland Park

For information, visit the Web site www.walkamerica.org or call (800) 244-WALK. For information about the March of Dimes, visit the Web site marchofdimes.com or www.nacersano.org for Spanish.

(c) 2007 Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.