Dear NICU Mama

It’s no secret that each individual will process and navigate trauma in their own way. And when it comes to how we heal and grow alongside our partners in and out of the NICU, having tools for how to communicate and grow together can help immensely. To lead us in this discussion is the one and only Natalie Reiter with Prairieland Counseling ! In this episode we cover: How can we communicate with o...

On this week’s episode we hear from our editorial team member, Sarah! Throughout pregnancy, Sarah was monitored very closely for significant ovarian cysts. At her 37 week OB appointment, she was admitted to the hospital due to lack of fluids and Mason was born 24 hours later! Upon delivery, he was rushed to the NICU because of lack of oxygen and they discovered that his lungs did not inflate and w...

In an effort to celebrate Father's Day and NICU dads everywhere, we have a very special podcast episode to share with you this week! On this week's episode, we have the opportunity to hear from NICU dad Jose. Throughout this episode he shares what it was like for him to walk through the NICU journey as a NICU dad, how him and his wife supported each other throughout their son's stay...

Welcome to SEASON 4! We are kicking off season 4 with a roundtable episode with co-hosts Martha and Ashley, and founding board member Kendra! Throughout this episode, Martha, Ashley, and Kendra share about what their transitions home looked like, when they started to process their NICU journeys and prioritize their mental health, and they also offer words of encouragement to newly discharged NICU...

May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month! And for today’s episode, we have the opportunity to sit down with Rebekah Tompkins, MD to chat about not only preeclampsia, but also HELLP Syndrome. Rebekah Tompkins not only specializes in high-risk pregnancy, but she personally experienced preeclampsia, HELLP, and a NICU stay with her firstborn son. Not only does she offer sound doctrine on the medical and ph...

On this week’s episode, we have the opportunity to hear part 2 of Tiffany’s NICU journey with her twin girls, Finley and Isla! Throughout this episode we have the opportunity to hear more about Isla’s NICU journey and what life at home looked like for their family of 5. While in the NICU with her twin Finley, Isla was diagnosed with MRSA at 2 weeks old. When they later discovered she had pulmonary...

On this week’s episode, we have the opportunity to hear part 1 of Tiffany’s NICU journey with her twin girls, Finely and Isla! After rounds of IVF, Tiffany and her husband found out they were having twins. At 24 weeks exactly, Tiffany went into labor and the girls were born the next day at 24 weeks 1 day gestation, weighing 1lb 60z and 1lb 80z. Throughout the episode we hear all about Finley’s NIC...

Have you tried exercising after your trauma but found yourself feeling particularly triggered? If so, you are not alone and you are absolutely not broken. Today we have the one and only Parijat Desphande with Healthy High Risk Pregnancy on the podcast to talk all about exercise and trauma! With swimsuit season soon approaching, we know there is an increased pressure to “get our bodies back”. But f...

This week’s episode is a roundtable episode about c-sections with the DNM podcast co-hosts, Martha & Ashley! Throughout the episode Martha and Ashley share about their own personal c-section deliveries and how they continue to heal today. We hope this episode affirms other c-section mamas that your birth is a worthy birth. To listen to Martha’s NICU journeys: S1 EP 01 | Martha Part 1 S1 EP 02...

If you have ever wondered what a NICU journey would have been like 50+ years ago, today’s episode is one you will want to tune into. Janet is a twin NICU mama to Kelly and Kevin who were born at 26 weeks. Upon delivery, Kevin tragically passed away at 7 hours of birth while Kelly spent a total of 62 days in the NICU. (Which at the time was simply a section in the corner of the nursery!) Throughout...

On this week’s episode we hear from mama of two, Lexxa! Lexxa delivered her daughter Ali at 28 weeks 2 days due to severe preeclampsia, and Ali weighed 2lbs 2oz at birth. She spent 88 days in the NICU and came home on oxygen and an NG tube and is now a healthy and thriving toddler! In the middle of the pandemic, Lexxa and her husband found out they were pregnant with their son Luka. Because of her...

For this week’s episode, we are sharing a liturgy that Kayla Craig wrote specifically for NICU families back in October of 2020! For the mamas in our sisterhood that observe Easter and/or have a faith in Jesus, we wanted to offer this liturgy again to you. Whether you are in or out of the NICU, you are never ever alone. To listen to the episode we recorded with her about honest faith, you can list...

On this week’s episode we have the opportunity to have a conversation with the one and only Anese of The Breakthrough Mama! Not only is she a licensed maternal mental health specialist, but she is also a NICU mama herself who has dedicated her practice to serving and empowering high-risk pregnancy mamas and NICU mamas. Because safety and feeling grounded are necessary to begin the process of heali...

On this week’s podcast episode, we have the opportunity to talk with Sally! Not only is Sally a mama to a fabulous toddler, but she also gave birth to quadruplets who spent a total of 7 weeks in the NICU. Throughout the episode we hear about her infertility journey with their firstborn, what her pregnancy, delivery, and NICU journey was like with the quads, and what life at home looks like for the...

This week's episode is a very special episode! Not only do we have our beloved team member Vilma as a guest guest co-host, but this is also a Mamas Call In episode! At the end of this episode you will have the opportunity to hear from a couple of amazing NICU mamas on how they have grown throughout this past pandemic year. We asked Vilma to share in this episode because as a NICU mama of a me...

Carrita gave birth to her son Isaac at 26 weeks. They spent 116 days in the NICU with additional PICU stays after discharge. It was on their NICU journey that Carrita felt that she discovered her purpose. Since being home, it has been a passion of hers to inspire and uplift other NICU families by sharing their story! We hope this episode reminds you that mama, you know your baby best. To get conne...

Welcome to Part 2 of Nicole’s NICU journey! Nicole delivered mono-di twin girls, Harper and Avery, at 26 weeks and 3 days. Tragically, Avery was lost at 15 days old due to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Part 2 is all about Harper’s miraculous 66 day NICU journey, what life after loss has looked like for Nicole and her family, and also how to love a close friend or loved one who has experienced i...

On today’s episode, we have the honor of hearing part 1 of Nicole’s NICU journey! Nicole delivered mono-di twin girls at 26 weeks and 3 days. Her pregnancy came with many complications due to her small stature and Avery (Twin B) had IUGR and low amniotic fluid. Because of this, they were in and out of the hospital for extra monitoring of Avery’s growth and fluid levels. Just before reaching 26 wee...

Welcome to part 2 of our sex after birth and/or NICU trauma series! On this week's episode we talk exclusively about the physical aspects of healing after trauma with physical therapist Jill Ehrmantraut of Apex Wellness!    In this episode we cover:  What is the pelvic floor?  Is pain during sex normal? If not, what can we do to treat it?  What are the different changes physically that occur...

Yep, you read the title of this episode right! On this week's episode, we are talking about sex. Specifically sex after NICU and/or birth trauma. And we couldn't think of a more compassionate voice to chat about this with than the one and only Natalie Reiter with Prairieland Counseling . It's no secret that so many things shift and change in our bodies both physically and emotionall...

If you’ve been listening to our podcast or following along with us on social media, you know that we love the practice of self-compassion! Which is why we are excited to share an episode talking about self-compassion and our inner narrative with Melissa Dahl with Mindful Healing and Consulting! In this episode we cover: What is the practice of self-compassion and how can we implement it in our dai...

This episode is a long time coming! On September 25th, 2019 we heard part 1 of Ava’s miraculous 202 day NICU journey. And as soon as we scheduled a recording date for part 2, miss Ava was discharged from the NICU! So on today’s episode we have the opportunity to hear from Kristi about the remainder of Ava’s NICU stay, as well as what the transition to life at home looked like for their family of 6...

It's the final Dear NICU Mama podcast episode of 2020! On this week’s episode we not only have a roundtable discussion reflecting on each of our personal journeys in 2020, but we also introduce the one and only Karla! Karla is our editorial assistant and one of our most recent team members. We love her a lot and are excited to officially introduce her to you all here! As we reflect on 2020, w...

Oh, boundaries. We all know we need them, but setting and defining them can feel really complicated! Especially when we are setting boundaries with the people we love most in our lives. As we approach another holiday, we wanted to sure to have an open and honest conversation about boundaries that not only offers insight into what healthy boundaries can look like, but also offers helpful tools on h...

On this week’s episode, we have the honor of chatting with Ebony Ford! Ebony Ford is a native of the Washington D.C. area, a wife, and a preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome survivor. She is also the proud mother of 26-weeker micropreemie Reign Victoria who was born weighing 1lb 15 oz, spent 80 days in the NICU, and is currently REIGNING over her battle with Pulmonary Fibromatosis. Both Ebony and Reign...