Washington Health Cares for the Tiniest Community Members

After seven years of marriage, Shaneel and Pritika Pratap were overjoyed to learn they were going to be first-time parents. Pritika was enjoying a healthy pregnancy until a routine checkup changed everything.

At a standard four-month OB-GYN appointment, the Hayward couple learned that their son had an abnormal heart rate, something that clinicians would closely monitor.

“I had an appointment on a Friday, and they checked the baby’s heart rate. They called me in the following Monday because they wanted to check it again. From there, they immediately sent us to Washington Health,” recalls Pritika, 37.

Not only was the baby’s heart rate abnormal, but Pritika’s blood pressure was spiking. Once at Washington Health, she was admitted and closely monitored. “They kept us overnight, but I was fighting it because I didn’t want to deliver my son early,” she explains.

The next day, she gave birth to Ashay, an 8-pound boy who was delivered naturally but three weeks early. “We had worked so hard to have our son; we called him our miracle child,” she says.

Affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals

The nurses noticed immediately that Ashay’s blood sugar was high and brought him to Washington Health’s level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Through an affiliation with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, Washington Health provides a nine-bed intermediate Special Care Nursery (SCN) in Fremont. Neonatal and pediatric specialists from UCSF and specially trained nurses care for the newborns.

“From the second he was born, he was wheeled away,” says Pritika, holding back tears. “I was panicking and couldn’t think straight. They took Ashay to the SCN to level off his sugar, but it became a domino effect. He wound up with discoloration of his body and other health complications.”

The premature infant would spend two weeks in the SCN until he was well enough to go home. At the same time, mom was recovering from blood clots in her legs that kept her hospitalized for a week. The Prataps recall spending long days at Washington Health, thankful that they didn’t have to drive across the Bay for this advanced level of care.

“Families have access to world-class care, and it’s local, family-centered care. It’s really important to have providers whom you can trust,” notes Jessica Alsofrom, MD, medical director of the SCN.

Pritka recalls: “The baby was hooked up to all kinds of monitors. My very first time seeing him in an incubator, I wanted to crawl inside with him. I didn’t want him to have go through it alone.”

The SCN staff had the expertise and kindness to ease the Prataps’ worry. “They took a huge weight off our shoulders. I can’t express our gratitude and appreciation for what the Washington Health staff did for us,” Pritika adds. “I never imagined leaving the hospital without my child. I constantly worried about him. We were using every second of our time in the SCN. I can’t thank the nurses enough.”

Professional, Reassuring and Kind

The nursing staff also helped the Prataps understand and better manage Ashay’s feeding concerns when he was having trouble latching on to breastfeed and pace feed with formula, issues that resolved.

“There aren’t enough words in the world for the staff,” shares Pritika, “or enough appreciation and gratitude for the people who took care of Ashay. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where we would’ve been.”

Ashay turned 2 last July and is thriving. “He gets bigger and bigger by the day,” says his mom with a smile. “He’s a future track star, soccer athlete, and loves to be outside running around. He’s a little machine. He loves to help out around the house.”

The family attended Washington Health’s Special Care Nursery Reunion in September, the first time it has been celebrated since the pandemic. The reunion brings together SCN graduates and caregivers.

“It was surreal to see all the parents with their SCN kids. It made us feel better to know that we weren’t alone,” explains Pritika. “Seeing his doctor brought a lot of emotion.

“Some things are easier said than done, but if your baby needs special care, you’re in the right hands at Washington Health. There isn’t anyone better to take care of your child.”

For more information on the Washington Health Special Care Nursery and their affiliation with UCSF Health, visit https://www.washingtonhealth.com/services/special-care-nursery/