An Expecting Mom Unexpectedly Grows Her ‘Village’ – Thanks to Kids Club

When Dakoha Zelinsky learned she was expecting her second child, excitement came hand in hand with hard-earned caution.

“I had some pregnancy problems with my first daughter,” Dakoha says. “So I knew they were going to monitor this pregnancy closely.”

From the very beginning of her pregnancy, Dakoha turned to the Women’s Health Center at Tower Place – where everything she needed, from obstetrics care to maternal fetal medicine (MFM), lives under one roof. What she didn’t expect was that the support she’d find there would go far beyond her medical care. She would unexpectedly grow her family’s village during a time her growing family truly needed it.

For the first two trimesters, Dakoha experienced a healthy pregnancy. But at 28 weeks, things took a more serious turn when her baby was diagnosed with fetal growth restriction, a condition where a baby isn’t growing as expected – often due to issues with the placenta limiting oxygen and nutrients.

From that moment forward, her pregnancy became high-risk, and appointments quickly became more frequent – with twice-weekly non-stress tests as well as weekly ultrasounds.

“Because of the risks that fetal growth restriction presents for both mother and baby, close monitoring is essential,” says Amanda Ricard, DO, obstetrician and gynecologist with LVPG Obstetrics and Gynecology–Tower Place, part of Jefferson Health. “Fetal growth restriction increases the risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth and neonatal complications. Maternal risks include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, like preeclampsia, and delivery by C-section.”

Her care team, which consisted of MFM specialists and OB-GYNs, worked closely together to monitor the blood flow through the umbilical cord and ensure her baby was tolerating the reduced nutrient supply.

Despite the uncertainty, there was one constant: reassurance. Her care team prepared her for every possible scenario while working to keep her baby growing (inside of her) as long as possible.

“There was concern that at some point one of the umbilical vessels could close,” Dakoha says. “So we had plans in place for everything – even an emergency delivery if it came to that. Thankfully, we didn’t need to go through those just-in-case plans.”

As the appointments increased, so did another challenge: childcare for her 3-year-old daughter, Azalea.

Like many families, childcare was something Dakoha and her husband managed carefully around their work schedules. During the days and times of her appointments, Dakoha was on solo mom duty meaning she was responsible for caring for Azalea.

But bringing a toddler to frequent, often lengthy medical appointments? Not ideal. Thankfully, she had access to Kids Club – complimentary, on-site childcare service available at the Women’s Health Center. Kids Club offers a safe, engaging space for children while parents attend appointments just steps away.

“Having Kids Club was a huge convenience,” Dakoha says. “Especially toward the end when the visits got longer and more frequent.”

The first drop-off wasn’t easy for Dakoha.

“I was really nervous,” Dakoha says. “Azalea had never been in any kind of childcare setting before.”

Questions raced through her mind – about safety, supervision and how her daughter would adjust. But the Kids Club team quickly put Dakoha at ease.

“They walked me through everything – safety protocols, check-in systems, their first-aid training – and answered all of my questions. And after I saw how Azalea did the first time, I wasn’t worried anymore,” Dakoha says.

Azalea didn’t just adjust – she thrived. Over the course of Dakoha’s pregnancy, Kids Club became part of their weekly routine. And for Azalea, it became something she looked forward to.

“Azalea loved her teachers at Kids Club. She would say, ‘I get to go play with the ladies at the doctor’s today,’ and would get excited to go,” Dakoha says.

Through hands-on crafts, play and interaction with other children, Azalea began growing in ways that surprised her mom.

“Kids Club was a great experience for my daughter. She was able to play with other kids her age and encouraged to be more responsible,” Dakoha says. “They taught her to clean up after herself – and that carried over at home.”

Kids Club sparked a love of creativity and crafts in Azalea, and ignited excitement about starting school.

“Kids Club gave my daughter experiences that I didn’t at home, like doing crafts,” Dakoha says. “I never introduced Azalea to glue at home. Now she tells me she wants to make art like she does with ‘the ladies at the doctor’s office’ so I ended up buying glue for her to use at home.”

Even potty training got a boost.

“When we started going through the potty-training process, going to Kids Club helped her practice potty training in a real-life setting. She thought she was going to school instead of just daycare and that she had to use the potty so she could go to school,” Dakoha says. 

“Like many kids who have never been in a daycare setting, Azaela was hesitant at first, but she was very bright and very curious,” says Asma Rahman, M.Ed., manager, childcare. “But then she got comfortable with us and she truly owned that space toward the end. The Kids Club was her space – and that says a lot. It was wonderful for us to see that transition in Azalea. To witness that transformation is what we strive to do every day – that truly is at the heart of what we do.”

For Dakoha, Kids Club wasn’t just about childcare. It was about peace of mind.

A stress test is meant to measure calm, steady rhythms – not the chaos of trying to entertain a toddler during a medical exam.

“Having a stress test isn’t supposed to be stressful. Instead of having a 3-year-old asking to watch cartoons or trying to get my attention, I was able to just concentrate on doing the stress test and the actual appointment I was in – all while knowing my daughter was safe with the Kids Club staff just down the hall,” Dakoha says.

The care the Kids Club provided extended beyond just Azalea. They cared about Dakoha, too.

“There were times I came out of appointments really stressed,” Dakoha says, recalling difficult conversations about potential risks. “Asma would allow my daughter to continue playing in the Kids Club while she came out to talk to me and reassure me that everything was going to be OK. She was incredible. And those few moments of chatting allowed me to process my worry before reuniting with Azalea.”

The Kids Club staff doesn’t just watch children – they build relationships.

“Azalea’s teachers, Asma and Vianka, were really good with her. They knew her by name. They knew me, and that level of personalization and connection made all the difference,” Dakoha says.

From the outside, Kids Club looks like a cheerful, welcoming play space. Behind the scenes, it’s a thoughtfully designed environment grounded in safety and early childhood education.

“At the Kids Club, safety and security is of utmost importance,” says Heather Semple, director, dependent care operations. “We follow a structured check-in and check-out process, and we have a double vestibule – every person has to be badged inside. We put name tags on the back of every kid’s shirt to alert us of any allergies or other important information. We maintain constant visibility on every child.”

And the experience is intentionally meaningful.

“Our team members are amazing educators. It is very important everyone on staff has a strong early education background,” Heather says. “We really thought about what women need when bringing Kids Club to life. So many women delay their own care because they don’t have childcare and this childcare service helps remove that barrier. And our whole team really believes in our mission to ease a patient’s burden while engaging their child in meaningful activities.”

From seasonal crafts and building activities to age-appropriate learning opportunities, the program focuses on engagement – not just supervision.

“At the Kids Club, we focus on experiential learning with hands-on learning and project-based activities so the child is engaged meaningfully,” Asma says. “We focus on building connections not just with the children but with the families – it is a relationship with trust. We created this beautiful space where both children and staff members look forward to coming in and out every single day. To build this beautiful relationship that’s impactful every single day.”

On Feb. 10, 2026, at 37 weeks, Dakoha delivered her daughter, Dahlia, via C-section. Despite earlier concerns, Dahlia was born healthy – 5 pounds, 15 ounces, with “big, round cheeks,” her mom proudly shares. Even more reassuring? She didn’t need a NICU stay, which originally was a potential reality Dakoha’s care team had prepared her for.

For Dakoha, it was the moment she had been working toward for months – supported by a team that never left her side.

At her six-week postpartum appointment, Dakoha returned to the Women’s Health Center – this time with baby Dahlia.

“I stopped by Kids Club to say hi,” she says. “They already knew Dahlia’s name and were happy to meet Azalea’s sister.”

Looking back, Dakoha sees how critical that support from the Kids Club team truly was.

“My village is small,” she says. “It’s usually just me and my husband managing everything.”

Kids Club helped fill that gap.

“It wasn’t just convenient,” she says. “It gave me a break. It gave me peace. And it gave my daughter something really special.”

“As much as Azalea looked forward to going to the Kids Club, we too looked forward to seeing her,” Asma says.

Today, Azalea is excited about starting school, confident and curious – thanks in part to those days she spent in that special room down the hall.

And Dakoha?

She’s sharing her story with others.

“I tell my friends and family all the time – they should come to the Women’s Health Center at Tower Place,” she says. “Having all the health services in one place, and knowing your child is safe while you’re getting care – it makes all the difference.”

At its core, Dakoha’s story is about more than a high-risk pregnancy. It’s about access. It’s about support. And it’s about what becomes possible when barriers – like childcare – are removed.

Because when moms can focus fully on their care, outcomes improve – not just for them, but for their entire families. And sometimes, that begins with something as simple – and powerful – as a place called Kids Club.

“We see a lot of happy tears for parents who see their child thrive in the childcare environment,” Asma says. “And that’s what has made it so impactful for Azaela and her family. Because of her experience at Kids Club, Azalea is now confidently and excitedly starting school soon. That’s at the heart of what we strive to do every day with the Kids Club.”