From NICU Nurse to NICU Mom: Arabella Martinez

A dedicated NICU nurse finds herself at the receiving end of the compassionate care she’s provided for nearly 20 years

For nearly two decades, Arabella Martinez has served the South Florida community as a nurse at the Abess Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Mount Sinai Medical Center, dedicating her professional life to the care of the tiniest, most vulnerable patients. In her many years in her profession, and eventually as a team leader, she’s walked beside countless families through moments of fear, hope, and joy. But in 2017, Arabella experienced that journey as a patient herself.

At 31 weeks of pregnancy, Arabella experienced a sudden placental abruption, a serious complication where the placenta (the organ that nourishes the baby) detaches from the uterus prematurely, potentially putting the baby and the mother at risk. Within 30 minutes, Arabella was taken to the Operating Room to undergo an emergency C-section.

In that moment, Arabella was no longer just a nurse—she was a mother fighting for her child’s life. But thanks to the swift hands and expertise of Mount Sinai’s Labor and Delivery team, as well as the neonatal staff, Arabella gave birth to her son, Landon. He was immediately admitted to the very NICU she had spent so many years helping others and remained there for 30 days, receiving life-saving care.

“The team saved my son’s life,” she says. “It’s because of them that we both made it out okay.”

Surrounded by familiar faces and colleagues who had become like family, Arabella found herself receiving the same compassion and clinical excellence she had long offered to others. One of those colleagues was Dr. Ignacio Zabaleta, a long-time neonatologist at Mount Sinai and Arabella’s coworker of her entire career at the hospital.

“The difficult part about this case was that I knew Bella,” Dr. Zabaleta shares. “She was scared, and when you’re pregnant, you don’t anticipate having your baby born before its due. You’re either very paranoid or very optimistic—and she was worried about her baby.”

Landon, born at 4.9 pounds with a severe lung condition, was placed on a ventilator for 10 days. But thanks to Dr. Zabaleta and the skilled NICU team, he made a remarkable recovery.

Today, Landon is a healthy, spirited 7-year-old who loves baking, Disney adventures, and crafting with his mom. Their bond runs especially deep—not only did Arabella care for NICU babies for years, but she was also a NICU baby herself. The unit that held their most vulnerable moments has become the place where Arabella continues to shape stories like her own.

“My coworkers are more than teammates, they’re my second family,” she says. “Mount Sinai has grown, and I’ve grown with it. I take pride in what we do here. Every discharge is a victory.”

A Miami native, Arabella always knew she wanted to help people. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a doctor or even a police officer. But when she discovered nursing, especially in pediatric care, she found her calling.

“I thought, ‘I can do this.’ And once I got to the NICU, I never looked back.”

Arabella’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and the unbreakable bonds formed within the walls of Mount Sinai. It’s a story that reminds us that hospitals are not just places of treatment, they are places of hope, healing, and heart. Mount Sinai doesn’t just save lives, they shape them. And for Arabella and Landon, that impact will last a lifetime.

To learn more about Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, please visit https://www.msmc.com/obstetrics-and-gynecology/.