From being a preemie herself, to NICU nurse, to milk donor - Alabama mom, Jenny Armstrong, comes full circle by helping vulnerable babies.
Jenny Armstrong, an identical twin, was born prematurely in December 1985. She was admitted, along with her twin, to the NICU at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with breathing complications. She explains, "We had to be on the ventilator with bilateral chest tubes because our lungs were stiff and wouldn't open up. The ventilator's high settings caused us to have pneumothorax in both our lungs." Jenny's medical history as a preemie ended up having a huge influence on her career and her lifelong dream to work with babies. After nursing school, Jenny worked in the very same hospital for the doctor who saved her life. She adds, "I was so honored and privileged to work with him for 6 years before he retired." Amazingly, Jenny is still working in the same NICU where she recovered as an infant.
After Jenny gave birth to her son, Greyson, in December 2013, she says, "I am now able to help premature babies with the extra milk I have been blessed with." Before her experience with a milk bank, Jenny donated first to a baby with significant health issues including a milk allergy, Down Syndrome and heart surgeries. That baby no longer needs her milk, so she contacted Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas. Jenny has now donated 2 deep freezers worth of milk and can be rest assured, her generous gift has helped babies like the preemie she once was herself. For more information about Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas, visit our website.