September marks NICU Awareness Month, a time to recognize the tiniest patients and the caregivers who fight alongside them. For one Springfield family, the journey through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center was filled with fear, gratitude, and ultimately—hope.

On April 15, 2024, Brittany and Matt Franklin’s world changed in an instant.

“Brittany woke up not feeling well at 36 weeks pregnant, so she called out of work and went to see her doctor,” explained Megan McConnell, Director of Communications and Community Engagement at TriStar Hendersonville. “Everything seemed normal except for one test, and they wheeled her to the Birth Center for additional checks. In the middle of her non-stress test, Brittany had a placental abruption. Within 30 minutes, Brittany was undergoing an emergency C-section to save the life of her and her son, Asher.”

Thanks to the swift actions of the doctors and nurses, both Brittany and her son survived.

But the family’s journey wasn’t over. Baby Asher needed specialized care and was admitted to the NICU, where he stayed for 12 days surrounded by monitors, machines, and wires.

For the Franklins, those first days were overwhelming. Yet, the compassion of the NICU team helped ease their fears. Two nurses in particular, Riley and Kandis, became steady sources of comfort.

“Brittany calls them ‘God’s angels on earth,’” McConnell said. “They not only cared for Asher but also for Brittany and Matt during those scary days.”

Although the Franklins never imagined their birth story unfolding this way, Brittany says the experience brought deep lessons.

“My biggest advice is to guard your heart,” she shared. “The new chapter in life you looked forward to is not going to be picture perfect. The things you may miss out on will grow that love bond one day. And make a list of who you want to visit—having that prepared really helps when you’re navigating NICU rules.”

She also encouraged parents to embrace the resources offered during their NICU stay. “We were so grateful to learn a swaddle bath, massage techniques, even CPR,” Brittany said. “And the lactation nurses were such a gift. One asked me what I truly wanted out of breastfeeding. When I said, ‘to provide,’ she helped me see that pumping could be just as meaningful. That wisdom has stayed with me long after our NICU days.”

Brittany is also candid about the emotions she had to work through. “I had to be okay with the fact that all family and nurses got to meet and know Asher before I did. I had to pray a lot and let go of emotions that could tear me apart. But in the end, I saw it was all for a reason. God got us through the hard times, and the nurses became part of our story.”

This spring, on Asher’s first birthday, the family returned to TriStar Hendersonville to thank the team who had carried them through. “The Birth Center and NICU love seeing your little one grow,” Brittany said. “We’ve shared pictures and updates—it’s a small gesture, but it means so much to those who gave us our biggest blessing.”

As NICU Awareness Month shines a spotlight on these critical units, the Franklins hope their story brings comfort to other families facing unexpected detours in their birth journey—and shines light on the lifesaving work happening every day in NICUs like the one at TriStar Hendersonville.