Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Newborns: Draven’s NICU Care and Recovery at CHRISTUS Children’s
To say that Draven Chouinard entered the world in a dramatic fashion would be an understatement.
As a first-time mom, Abigale never expected her son’s arrival to be anything but routine. Instead, she was thrust into a life-threatening situation moments after delivery.
What is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, or CDH?
Draven was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or CDH, a serious condition where an abnormal opening in the diaphragm allows organs like the stomach, intestines, liver or spleen to move into the chest and compress the lungs. He had to be resuscitated three times immediately after his C-section birth.
He was evaluated for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, a highly specialized form of life support that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs when conventional ventilation is not enough. While Draven ultimately did not require ECMO, having immediate access to this advanced therapy was critical given the severity of his condition.
In most cases, babies with CDH do not reach full term, but Draven did. He was born at 39 weeks with fully developed lungs.
Nevertheless, his condition was critical, and he was immediately transferred to CHRISTUS Children’s. As a regional leader in neonatal critical care, CHRISTUS Children’s offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach for complex conditions like CDH, including neonatology, pediatric surgery and an advanced ECMO program.
Children's NICU
CHRISTUS Children's NICU
The Level IV NICU at CHRISTUS Children's in San Antonio offers advanced care for newborns and their families, especially babies born prematurely or with special medical conditions.
Advanced NICU Support and ECMO Readiness
Draven was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU. Dr. Cody Henderson, a neonatologist and medical director of the neonatal ECMO program at CHRISTUS Children’s, supervised his care.
“Draven was critically ill when he arrived, but also demonstrated incredible resilience from the beginning,” said Dr. Henderson. “Our goal was to stabilize him so we could give him the strongest possible chance to heal and make a full recovery.”
“Because CDH can severely limit lung function, having ECMO readily available—if needed—was critical in supporting Draven’s care, giving his lungs time to stabilize with ventilator support before surgery. While he ultimately did not require ECMO, this level of readiness is essential for babies with severe CDH. ECMO support requires a highly trained team and specialized technology available only at select children’s hospitals. At CHRISTUS Children’s, the ECMO program allows us to support the most fragile patients, providing continuous cardiopulmonary support and coordinated care across multiple specialties.”
Pediatric Surgery for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Shortly after his emergency transfer, Dr. Charlene Dekonenko, pediatric general surgeon at CHRISTUS Children’s, repaired his CDH when Draven was just 3 days old. He underwent a thoracoscopic repair of his CDH as not all institutions in the country offer neonatal minimally invasive surgery as an option for surgical approach.
“Draven’s surgery went remarkably well, and we were able to successfully return his organs to their proper position,” said Dr. Dekonenko. “Seeing how quickly he responded afterward was incredibly encouraging and a testament to his health and the coordinated, multidisciplinary care he received.”
Compassionate NICU Care Supports First-Time Parents
For Abigale, navigating the NICU experience as a first-time mom was overwhelming—but the team at CHRISTUS Children’s made all the difference.
“During the surgery, the nurses texted us the whole time, keeping us updated every step of the way,” she said. “Those texts reassured us that everything was going to be OK.”
After the surgery, Draven remained on a ventilator to help him breathe. That is when Abigale decided to call a priest to administer the Sacrament of the Sick to Draven. Remarkably Draven was off the ventilator two days after his surgery.
“There is no doubt that Draven is a miracle; without the support we received at CHRISTUS Children’s, I’m convinced he wouldn’t be alive,” said Abigale.
Overall, Draven spent 28 days in the NICU, which meant celebrating Thanksgiving in the hospital. Abigale recalls how the nurses made an imprint of his hand to craft a turkey. They also took his imprints to make Star Wars-themed decorations for his room.
Throughout his time in the NICU, Abigale was there as much as she could be in person. When she was at Draven’s bedside, she stayed at the Ronald McDonald House located inside the hospital, which proved to be a lifesaver in many ways, including allowing her to pump breast milk and deliver it to him. While there, she appreciated the NICU cameras that let her see Draven on her phone.
For Abigale, those thoughtful touches went a long way in easing the fear of having her first child in the NICU.
“The nurses definitely went the extra mile to make us feel special and cared for,” said Abigale. “If I have another child, I will take him/her to CHRISTUS Children’s in a heartbeat. The team is knowledgeable, hardworking and trusting. They really gave me peace of mind as a new mom.”
The care team, including Dr. Henderson, also provided consistent communication and reassurance to Nathan, Draven’s father, helping the family navigate an incredibly uncertain time with confidence.
From Critical Condition to Thriving Infant
Now, Draven is a healthy baby, fully recovered and thriving. Abigale says you wouldn’t know he had gone through such an ordeal just by looking at him. She affectionately refers to him as “Mr. Cheeks” because he’s always smiling, content and happy.
For Abigale and Nathan, the experience was one they will never forget, but it also left them with deep gratitude for the compassion and expertise of the CHRISTUS Children’s care team.
“They gave me peace of mind during the scariest time of my life,” Abigale said. “I will always be thankful for everything they did for my son.”
Expert Pediatric Surgery and ECMO Readiness Care at CHRISTUS Children’s
CHRISTUS Children’s provides advanced, family-centered care for newborns with complex conditions like congenital diaphragmatic hernia. With specialized programs in neonatology, pediatric surgery, and ECMO, the hospital is equipped to care for even the most critically ill infants.
Learn more about NICU care at CHRISTUS Children’s.
Pediatric General Surgery Clinic
Learn MorePediatric General Surgery Clinic
CHRISTUS Children's General Surgery Clinic in San Antonio provides exceptional surgical care for infants, children, and teens.
