Giahbella Galeano was born on March 31, 2025, twelve weeks early. Her due date was June 20, but life had other plans. On the morning of March 22, my water unexpectedly broke at 27 weeks pregnant. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I was admitted to Broward Health Coral Springs with the hope that I could keep my baby inside me as long as possible, ideally until 34 weeks. Right away, one of the doctors from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) came by to greet us and explain the entire process if our Giahbella would arrive before 40 weeks, which was more likely given her water had broken. That possibility put us at ease.

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I managed to hold out for another week with Giahbella in my belly. During that time, I received two doses of steroids to help develop my baby's lungs, as well as two magnesium drips to protect her tiny brain. 

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On Friday, March 28th, I started having strong contractions, and early on Monday the 31st, at 6:45 a.m., I was rushed into the operating room for a C-section. I never could have imagined what was to come.

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Just before I was taken to surgery, at 6:57 a.m., my husband received a message that still shakes our souls to this day:

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“Your process, your trial, is ending… and a miracle is approaching. God is my guide.”

It was like a divine sign, a whisper from heaven telling us that everything would be okay. 

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At 7:37 a.m., my warrior, Giahbella, was born, breathing on her own. We had just a moment for a quick photo and a few kisses on her cheeks before she was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she would spend the next two months of her life.

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My husband and parents were able to see her immediately in what would be her private room in the NICU. Meanwhile, I was being wheeled into recovery for the C-section. That same night, I was finally able to see her: my little fighter, inside an incubator, hooked up to wires and oxygen. I couldn't help but burst into tears and blame myself for everything my fragile, tiny baby was going through.

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From the recovery room, right across from the NICU, with the physical pain of the C-section and the frustration of trying to produce breast milk in the hope that my body would respond, I would get up at all hours to check on her.

 

Four days later I was discharged, and leaving the hospital without my baby in my arms was one of the emptiest feelings I've ever felt.

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What we experienced during those 70 days was a roller coaster: ups and downs, anxiety, fear, and a lot of uncertainty. But every day we were there, visiting her, loving her. Despite the hardship, the experience was made more bearable thanks to the wonderful NICU doctors and nurses. Leaving every day without your baby is heartbreaking. Every time I saw a family leave with their newborn, I couldn't help but break inside. However, I always knew my daughter was in the best hands.

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The doctors and nurses not only cared for Giahbella with dedication, they also cared for us. Every morning we called to find out how she had spent the night, and they always treated us kindly, providing us with every detail with care. When we were with her, they calmly explained every monitor, every alarm, and every step. They made us feel part of the team fighting for her life.

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We can never express enough gratitude to the labor and delivery team, the mother-baby staff, and everyone involved in the Broward Health Coral Springs NICU. Thank you for your warmth, patience, knowledge, and dedication.

Several people have told me this is one of the best NICUs in Broward County, and although I haven't seen any others, I believe it is the best! Not only because of the staff, but also because of how modern, clean, and comfortable the facility is.

 

It has 12 completely private rooms where parents can be with their baby 24 hours a day, with the comfort of a bed at the foot of the baby's incubator or crib. The private room also has a refrigerator to store the mother's breast milk. The shared bathroom has a shower in case you decide to spend the night with your baby. If you wish, you can also order food from the hospital while visiting your baby.

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After 70 days, our brave Giahbella "graduated" from the NICU. The day we finally took her home, we handed out thank-you cards to the nurses, but we know no gesture can fully express the endless gratitude we feel toward the entire maternity ward team at Broward Health Coral Springs. I wholeheartedly recommend this hospital for maternity care!

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Our story wasn't what we imagined, but it was the one God wrote for us. We give infinite thanks to God for this miracle and that our daughter is safe and sound.

 

Djinji Crocker, Giahbella's mother