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Stephanie Roberson’s son Myles spent 87 days in neonatal intensive care after being born at 25 weeks and six days. Her story, published by Motherly in a column with the Chamber of Mothers, highlights gaps in paid leave, insurance coverage and mental health care for NICU families as Roberson advocates for better support.
Stephanie Roberson is advocating for better support for mothers and babies after her son, Myles, was born at 25 weeks and six days and spent 87 days in a neonatal intensive care unit. In a profile published by Motherly as part of its collaboration with the Chamber of Mothers, Roberson describes how her family’s experience exposed gaps in paid leave, insurance coverage and mental health care for parents of premature infants.
Roberson’s pregnancy had appeared normal until her water broke when she was 24 weeks pregnant. Her doctor advised her to go to a hospital with a higher level of NICU care. She stayed there on bed rest for 13 days before going into labor. Myles was born shortly afterward, and the NICU team assessed him immediately, according to the Motherly account.
During his hospital stay, Myles stopped breathing repeatedly for 77 days, a complication the report says is common among premature babies and was treated with caffeine. He did not need surgery or intubation, Roberson said. At discharge, the chief of neonatology called him a “one-in-a-million miracle baby,” according to her recollection. By 12 months, he had caught up on developmental milestones and was ahead on some; he is now four, the report says.
Roberson said the experience also involved uncertainty, emotional strain and financial pressure. Her family’s bill for Myles’ care was nearly $1.5 million, but insurance covered all except $1,300 of her deductible. She also had a supportive partner, a job and paid leave, allowing her to take nine and a half months of combined medical, maternity and state-funded family leave. She says many families do not have comparable resources.
The Support NICU Families Need
Roberson’s account illustrates how a premature birth can affect far more than a baby’s medical care. Parents may have to travel to a hospital, remain there for weeks or months, manage responsibilities for other children and keep up with work and household costs. The availability of paid family leave can shape how much time a parent can spend with a hospitalized infant without losing income or job security.
The report also points to the mental health toll. Roberson said she developed post-traumatic stress disorder and worked through the experience in months of therapy. It cites an estimate that about 75% of mothers with perinatal mental health conditions go untreated, attributing that gap to factors including too few trained providers and insurance barriers. Her experience makes the case for considering family support alongside neonatal medical care, while the reported statistics describe broader issues rather than outcomes for every NICU family.
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From Premature Birth to Advocacy
Roberson’s experience began with an abrupt emergency: her water broke while she was at home with her two-year-old. Her husband was traveling, so a neighbor stayed with the older child while Roberson’s visiting mother drove her to the hospital. Doctors discussed the risks associated with an extremely premature birth, and Roberson said she tried to learn as much as possible to advocate for her baby.
Motherly presents her story in “Mothering America,” a regular column produced with the Chamber of Mothers that shares mothers’ experiences and connects them to efforts to improve support for families. The report says only 14 states and Washington, D.C. have state-enacted paid family and medical leave policies, and that about 27% of workers have access to paid family leave. It also describes the federal Family and Medical Leave Act as providing eligible workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, which a parent may use while a baby remains hospitalized.
“You don’t know what the outcome is going to be for your child.”
— Stephanie Roberson, describing the uncertainty of the NICU stay
What the Profile Does Not Resolve
The Motherly report does not detail specific legislation Roberson is currently backing, identify a campaign or policy proposal, or provide a timeline for advocacy work. It also does not include responses from lawmakers, insurers or health care providers. The figures it cites on leave access, medical spending and untreated perinatal mental health conditions are presented as broader estimates; the report does not specify all underlying study methods or reference dates.
Roberson’s account describes her family’s circumstances, including insurance that covered nearly all of the hospital bill and access to paid leave. Those details cannot establish what support any other family will receive. The available source also does not explain how the cited leave policies define eligibility or how state benefits differ.
Where the Advocacy Goes Next
The source frames Roberson’s story as part of the Chamber of Mothers’ wider effort to seek stronger care and support for families, but it does not announce a next event, legislative vote or formal campaign milestone. The next concrete development will depend on whether the organization or Roberson shares a specific policy proposal or advocacy action.
For now, the profile brings attention to the needs Roberson says she saw in the NICU: access to leave, manageable medical and related costs, and mental health care for parents. Further reporting would be needed to establish what policy changes are under consideration and whether they are adopted.
Key Questions
How long did Myles stay in the NICU?
Myles spent 87 days in the NICU after being born at 25 weeks and six days, according to the Motherly profile.
What happened during his hospital stay?
Roberson said Myles stopped breathing multiple times a day for 77 days, a complication treated with caffeine. The report says he did not need surgery or intubation.
What support did Roberson have that she says many families lack?
She said she had a supportive partner, a job and paid family and medical leave. She took nine and a half months of combined leave, while noting that many parents cannot take comparable time away from work.
What costs did the family face?
The reported bill for Myles’ care was nearly $1.5 million. Roberson said insurance covered all but $1,300 of her deductible; the account also describes indirect costs such as travel, parking, meals and child care.
Has Roberson announced a specific policy campaign?
The source describes her advocacy for better support for mothers and babies but does not identify a specific bill, campaign or next advocacy event.
Source: rss
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