Woman's Hospital of Texas
November 17, 2015

Left Photo: Hugo Porras, Matteo Porras, Erika Rios and Veronica Porras

Houston, TX, November 17, 2015 -The Woman’s Hospital of Texas (TWHT) recognized World Prematurity Day today with NICU preemies wearing purple onesies. In partnership with The March of Dimes, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas (TWHT) supports research, awareness and prevention during November’s Prematurity Awareness Month.

Erika Rios and Hugo Porras from Humble, Texas were excited to see their twins in purple onesies when they arrived at the hospital today. Rios and Porras welcomed Veronica Marie Porras and Matteo Humberto Porras on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. The babies were 7 weeks early and weighed in at 4 pounds, 7 ounces and 4 pounds, 8 ounces respectively. “I never really thought I would deliver the babies early,” said Rios. “My water broke last Sunday and we were admitted to the Antepartum Unit then. I thought I’d be here for a few weeks, by these two had a different plan. It was hard to go home without them, but I know they are in the best place they can be for preemies. They need to grow a bit and the doctors and nurses here are helping us take great care of them.”

The Woman’s Hospital of Texas offers the only NICU Family Support Group Program in partnership with The March of Dimes in Houston, Texas. This program provides information and group activities for families coping with babies born too soon.

NICU Family Support also provides ongoing education for hospital staff. According to the March of Dimes, this education focuses on best practices in supporting families, and the benefits of appropriate family-centered care for NICU babies at every stage of development. Education for staff is designed to help them in their important role.

“We are proud of our association with the March of Dimes. The NICU Family Support Program is one that we are honored to have as we provide care to our premature babies As part of this program, we are able to offer families and staff continual education and support during their baby’s time in the NICU,” said Ashley McClellan, CEO, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas.

Pre-term birth is the leading cause of newborn death nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Pre-term birth can have serious and life-long health consequences including cerebral palsy, hearing, vision, and breathing problems.

About The Woman’s Hospital of Texas
The Woman's Hospital of Texas opened in 1976, and has remained the state's premier facility dedicated to the health of women and newborns. With the recent addition of the Pediatric Center, the hospital has expanded that level of high-quality care to include their youngest patients. Located near the Texas Medical Center in the heart of Houston, The Woman's Hospital of Texas offers 397 licensed beds, including a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 650 board-certified physicians, The Woman's Hospital of Texas offers expertise and an outstanding level of care in breast health, imaging, gynecology, obstetrics, high-risk pregnancy and minimally-invasive surgery. The Woman’s Hospital of Texas is accredited by The Joint Commission. It has been recognized as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG), as a NAFC Center of Excellence: Continence Care in Women and is a designated Baby-Friendly Facility. For more information, visit our website at www.WomansHospital.com.

About HCA Gulf Coast Division
HCA Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers and diagnostic imaging facilities. It offers a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the needs of Greater Houston and South Texas’ residents and businesses. HCA affiliated facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include: 13 hospitals, 8 ambulatory centers, 7 off-campus emergency centers, and a regional transfer center that provides one-phone-call access and support for patient transfers into and out of the HCA Gulf Coast Division Affiliated Hospitals, as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. For more information, visit our website at www.HCAGulfCoast.com.