A quiet dinner turned into alarms, an emergency C-section, and a crash course in the NICU. When our daughter arrived five weeks early with her cord tightly wrapped and knotted, we met a calm, clear voice in the chaos: Dr. John Tran, a board-certified neonatologist at CHOC. He walked us through what was happening, what mattered right now, and how time and targeted temperature management could protect our baby’s brain after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

There’s a human side to the science. Dr. Tran shares how he chose neonatology, the resilience he sees in preemies, and the weight doctors carry home after difficult days. We explore mentorship, teamwork in a teaching hospital, and the support networks that keep clinicians steady through 24-hour shifts and unpredictable calls. We also touch on how AI can help parents ask better questions, bridging gaps when stress makes it hard to process information.

If you’re a parent, expect clear takeaways on fetal movement, advocacy, and what to ask when you hear words like HIE and NICU. If you’re just curious, you’ll hear a candid look at medicine where seconds count and empathy guides every decision. Our daughter’s story ends with relief and gratitude—and a renewed respect for teams who turn fear into focus.

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