Jayci Lloyd couldn’t imagine bringing her babies into the world anywhere other than North Mississippi Medical Center Gilmore-Amory Women’s Center. 

The registered nurse who lives in Winfield, Alabama, with her husband, Kade, didn’t anticipate her twins would need the neonatal intensive care unit that has been a big part of her professional life. But Jayci knows all too well you can’t always predict what babies will need.

“Amory is home for me,” Jayci said. “It was so comforting. I knew if anything went wrong who was going to be by my side and my babies’ sides.”

A nurse is born

Jayci began her nursing career at the Amory NICU six years ago. While her professional path has taken her to teaching student nurses at Beville State Community College in Hamilton, Alabama, she continues to work part-time at the Amory NICU. 

“It’s not just the babies, it’s the mother, father and everyone in the family,” Jayci said. “I feel like I become an advocate for them.”

Expecting twins

The Lloyds were over the moon when they learned they would welcome two babies into the world as first-time parents. They took steps to make sure they gave the twins the best start possible.

Because of the increased risk that can come with twins, Jayci consulted with maternal fetal medicine specialist Dr. Justin Brewer, who sees patients in Tupelo and Amory. All indications were good. Jayci avoided problems with gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Her twin boys were growing as expected. 

“Everything was as great as it could be,” Jayci said. “I was aiming to get my little boys to 36 or 37 weeks.

Early start

Without warning, Jayci’s water broke at 32 ½ weeks. She and Kade rushed from their home in Hamilton to Amory. Efforts to stop her labor were unsuccessful, so the team shifted to labor and delivery mode.

“I knew I was in the best possible hands,” Jayci said. “Every first-time mom is nervous, but it was also joyful.”

With help from OB-GYN Dr. Kam Otey and the Amory Women’s Center team, Beck and Brantlee arrived safely and were immediately whisked to the NICU. Because the boys needed extra support, Jayci and Kade had to wait until the boys were stable before they had their skin-to-skin time. 

The twins needed oxygen for 24 hours. Neonatologist Dr. Zhear Al-Godi and the NICU team were watched over Beck and Brantley. The boys had to work through jaundice but otherwise had an uneventful three-week stay in the Amory NICU. 

The most difficult thing for Jayci was going home from the hospital without the boys when she was discharged. 

“Nothing prepares you for walking out of the hospital with empty arms,” Jayci said. “I knew they were in great hands, but it was the hardest thing I ever did.” 

These days, Beck and Brantlee, now 16 months old, are healthy and happy toddlers. Their pediatrician Dr. Mary Ann King is pleased with their progress. 

“They are gaining weight and meeting their milestones,” Jayci said. “I’m thankful we did make it to 32 weeks.”