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NICU was mom so inspired by nurses that she chose to become one
Nearly a decade after her daughter’s premature birth, one San Antonio mother is back in the neonatal intensive care unit — this time as a nurse caring for families facing the same uncertainty she once lived through.
NICU nurse Brook Sifuentes had a baby girl, Autumn, who was cared for in a NICU nine years ago. As a result of her experiences, Sifuentes studied to become a NICU nurse, working at the same hospital that helped Autumn.
Sifuentes isn't alone; other NICU moms have been so inspired that they, too, chose to pursue careers in nursing to help other NICU babies like their own children.
According to a report from Fox San Antonio, Brook Sifuentes’ journey began unexpectedly when she was 28 weeks pregnant and attending a wedding two hours from home.
After sensing something was wrong with her pregnancy, she contacted her obstetrician and was instructed to get to the nearest hospital. Physicians determined her water had broken, and she remained hospitalized for several weeks.
At 33 weeks, her daughter Autumn was delivered and immediately admitted to the NICU.
Sifuentes stayed at Autumn's bedside, observing her newborn daughter surrounded by tubes and monitors, and observing the nurses to ask them questions so she could learn about the care her daughter needed.
Those days drove home Sifuentes' conviction that every child is valuable and resilient. This later shaped Sifuentes’ career.
After working for a decade as a licensed vocational nurse, Sifuentes returned to school to become a registered nurse with the goal of serving in neonatal intensive care.
Today, she works at Methodist Hospital in Westover Hills, where she uses her experience as a former NICU parent to support families navigating premature birth.
She explains procedures, answers questions, and reassures parents that they remain central to their baby’s care. Her personal story helps her advocate for the smallest patients and remind families that even the most fragile lives are worth fighting for.
Sifuentes isn't alone; some other NICU moms with similar experiences also felt led to help other NICU babies.
Christine Parasram was not only born prematurely herself, but also had a daughter born prematurely who spent time in the NICU. Because she was so inspired by the demeanor and care of the NICU nurses in the hospital Parasram, who was a medical assistant at that time, decided to enroll in nursing school so she could help babies, too.
“In the NICU, we see miracles every day," she said. "To work alongside a critical baby and to watch that baby grow and flourish and graduate and go home–it’s the best feeling ever. I can’t see myself doing anything different."
Kim Meek experienced HELLP syndrome and had to deliver her daughter, Mary Farris, at 24 weeks. Because of the positive experience she had with the NICU staff during such a traumatic time and her and her daughter's lives, Meek enrolled in nursing school and now works at the very same NICU that helped her baby girl.
“I work with tiny little fighters and get to witness miracles," she said. "These babies and their families have helped me heal. I am proud to be a NICU mom. I am honored to be a NICU nurse.”
As for Sifuentes' daughter, Autumn, the once-tiny preemie is now nine years old, earning straight As and competing in gymnastics She is a testament to the strength and potential present in every child from the very beginning.
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
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Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
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·NICU was mom so inspired by nurses that she chose to become one
Nearly a decade after her daughter’s premature birth, one San Antonio mother is back in the neonatal intensive care unit — this time as a nurse caring for families facing the same uncertainty she once lived through.
NICU nurse Brook Sifuentes had a baby girl, Autumn, who was cared for in a NICU nine years ago. As a result of her experiences, Sifuentes studied to become a NICU nurse, working at the same hospital that helped Autumn.
Sifuentes isn't alone; other NICU moms have been so inspired that they, too, chose to pursue careers in nursing to help other NICU babies like their own children.
According to a report from Fox San Antonio, Brook Sifuentes’ journey began unexpectedly when she was 28 weeks pregnant and attending a wedding two hours from home.
After sensing something was wrong with her pregnancy, she contacted her obstetrician and was instructed to get to the nearest hospital. Physicians determined her water had broken, and she remained hospitalized for several weeks.
At 33 weeks, her daughter Autumn was delivered and immediately admitted to the NICU.
Sifuentes stayed at Autumn's bedside, observing her newborn daughter surrounded by tubes and monitors, and observing the nurses to ask them questions so she could learn about the care her daughter needed.
Those days drove home Sifuentes' conviction that every child is valuable and resilient. This later shaped Sifuentes’ career.
After working for a decade as a licensed vocational nurse, Sifuentes returned to school to become a registered nurse with the goal of serving in neonatal intensive care.
Today, she works at Methodist Hospital in Westover Hills, where she uses her experience as a former NICU parent to support families navigating premature birth.
She explains procedures, answers questions, and reassures parents that they remain central to their baby’s care. Her personal story helps her advocate for the smallest patients and remind families that even the most fragile lives are worth fighting for.
Sifuentes isn't alone; some other NICU moms with similar experiences also felt led to help other NICU babies.
Christine Parasram was not only born prematurely herself, but also had a daughter born prematurely who spent time in the NICU. Because she was so inspired by the demeanor and care of the NICU nurses in the hospital Parasram, who was a medical assistant at that time, decided to enroll in nursing school so she could help babies, too.
“In the NICU, we see miracles every day," she said. "To work alongside a critical baby and to watch that baby grow and flourish and graduate and go home–it’s the best feeling ever. I can’t see myself doing anything different."
Kim Meek experienced HELLP syndrome and had to deliver her daughter, Mary Farris, at 24 weeks. Because of the positive experience she had with the NICU staff during such a traumatic time and her and her daughter's lives, Meek enrolled in nursing school and now works at the very same NICU that helped her baby girl.
“I work with tiny little fighters and get to witness miracles," she said. "These babies and their families have helped me heal. I am proud to be a NICU mom. I am honored to be a NICU nurse.”
As for Sifuentes' daughter, Autumn, the once-tiny preemie is now nine years old, earning straight As and competing in gymnastics She is a testament to the strength and potential present in every child from the very beginning.
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
Anne Marie Williams, RN, BSN
·Human Interest
Joanna Calhoun
·Human Interest
Nancy Flanders
·Pop Culture
Bridget Sielicki
·Human Interest
Bridget Sielicki
·International
Tori Shaw
·Activism
Tori Shaw
·Human Interest
Tori Shaw
·Human Interest
Tori Shaw
·