It’s one of the most exciting milestones in pregnancy: the 21-week anatomy scan. Like many expectant moms, Hunter Hamilton of Westport, Kentucky, couldn’t wait to watch her baby’s tiny movements on the screen and finally learn if she was having a boy or girl.
What started with pure joy at a baby boy quickly shifted to worry when doctors noticed something unusual during the scan.
“That day turned into the most stressful four to five months of my life,” Hunter said.
The ultrasound showed that her baby’s bowel appeared dilated enough to raise concern. Hunter was referred to Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine, part of Norton Women’s Care, for a closer look, where specialists confirmed that her pregnancy would need careful monitoring.
Coordinated care and compassionate support
From the beginning, Hunter’s care became a coordinated effort among multidisciplinary specialists at Norton Children’s Hospital. The unexpected high-risk pregnancy was nerve-racking, but Hunter would find hope and reassurance through the expertise and compassionate care of the Norton Children’s Fetal Care Program.
Her fetal care team developed a detailed plan to monitor her baby’s condition and help ensure a safe delivery. As the baby’s bowel dilation gradually worsened during monitoring, her visits increased from biweekly to weekly, giving her reassurance that every change was being watched closely.
The goal was to deliver around 37 to 38 weeks, when the team could be fully prepared for any complications. But baby Felix had other plans.
On June 23, 2025, a month before her due date, Hunter’s water broke while she was working from home. Labor progressed quickly and she delivered overnight at Norton Hospital. Baby Felix arrived on June 24 at 3:57 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce and measuring 18 inches long.
“He came out sunny-side up, with the cord wrapped around his neck twice in a true knot,” Hunter said. “He was truly a miracle!”
After 15 precious minutes of skin-to-skin contact with his mom, Felix was in the Norton Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) so his care team could immediately prepare for surgery to repair the bowel obstruction.
Expertise in neonatal surgical care and Felix’s steady recovery
Within several hours after birth, baby Felix underwent surgery with pediatric general surgeon Stewart R. Carter, M.D., with Norton Children’s Surgery.
“Dr. Carter was so caring and meticulous, so we knew Felix was in great hands,” Hunter said.
During the procedure, a tapered enteroplasty and anastomosis, Dr. Carter worked carefully to preserve as much of Felix’s intestine as possible. However, the section that had been stretched and blocked before birth wasn’t functioning as it should, which made his recovery more complicated.
Felix’s recovery required patience and special attention from the NICU team. A tube helped relieve the buildup of bile and air from before birth, while a TPN (total parenteral nutrition) IV provided the nutrients he needed since he couldn’t feed normally.
After three weeks, the team attempted to start feeds, but Felix wasn’t ready. Another week later, they tried again — but still no success. Dr. Carter decided to perform a second, more complicated surgery to remove the dilated section of his intestine and create an improved connection between the bowel.
The procedure went smoothly, and this time Felix’s progress was rapid. Within two weeks after surgery, he started to tolerate feeds. A week and a half later, he was ready to go home!
A message of gratitude and hope
Throughout Felix’s NICU stay, Hunter visited daily, balancing her time between her newborn and her toddler at home. Each visit brought reassurance, from the expertise of the caregivers to their compassionate hearts.
“After months of stress, anxiety, and what-ifs, we finally felt relief,” Hunter said. “If it wasn’t for the amazing NICU staff at Norton Children’s Hospital — the nurses, doctors, and surgeons — Felix wouldn’t be here today. I couldn’t be more thankful for this wonderful group of people.”
Today, Felix is a thriving, joyful infant. For families facing a prenatal diagnosis, Felix’s story offers hope. With early detection, expertise in neonatal surgical care and the support of a multidisciplinary team, even complex beginnings can lead to healthy and happy outcomes.
If you or a loved one has received a prenatal diagnosis and you’re seeking specialized fetal care, the Norton Children’s Fetal Care Program is here to help. Our multidisciplinary team provides expert, compassionate care for fetal conditions from diagnosis through delivery and beyond. Call (502) 629-5550 to speak with a nurse navigator.