Ask a NICU Mama Podcast

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Sam Kozuch, a NICU mama turned NICU doula, whose journey is one of resilience, advocacy, and hope. Sam shares her experience navigating a high-risk pregnancy,a 152-day NICU stay, and life after discharge as she raises her daughter with complex medical needs. She opens up about the emotional highs and lows of the NICU, t...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Neelam, a mother of two NICU graduates, NICU & Postpartum Mental Health Educator, Maternal Wellness Consultant, and founder of Maternal Wellness Co. Drawing from both her lived experience and professionaltraining in perinatal mental health, Neelam supports mothers navigating the hidden trauma and identity shifts tha...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Mariann Shaw, Founder and Executive Director of Maison Alexander Support Group, Inc. (MASG Inc.), a faith-based nonprofit born from her own NICU journey. After developing preeclampsia, Mariann delivered her sonat just 28 weeks gestation via emergency C-section. She shares the challenges of navigating life after the NICU...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Katelyn Paz, who learned after a routine ultrasound that her daughter had Trisomy 18. She shares how she had to balance grief with hope and what it was like to constantly justify her decision to keep her daughter alive to her NICU team. She also opens up about finding herself back in the very same NICU two years later...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Nathan (Nate) Wieser, who shares his and his wife’s 10-year journey to parenthood—a path marked by pregnancy loss, infant loss, and a 121-day NICU stay. Throughout this episode, one thing remains abundantly clear: Nate’s deep love for his wife, his family and friends, and his children - both the ones he holds in his he...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Kimberly Johnson, who shares her journey of giving birth to her son at just 23 weeks gestation. She opens up about the previous loss of her daughter, navigating life in the NICU during COVID, and how the NICU experiencechanges you as a person. This conversation is honest, emotional, and full of perspective for anyone wa...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast , host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Dr. Kim, a pediatric physical therapist with 25 years of experience. We discuss the importance of early intervention, parent advocating for their children, and navigating the transition from the NICU to home to receiving school-aged support services. Dr. Kim also shares insights from her new book,  Move, Play, Grow ,...

In this Season 4 premiere of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Jenn Oseroff, MS, OTR/L, a NICU occupational therapist with nearly 30 years of experience caring for some of the hospital’s tiniest patients. Jenn shares valuable insight into the critical role occupational therapists play in the NICU, how they support infant development and feeding, and the ways they help fa...

In the Season 3 finale of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host Ashley O’Neil offers a heartfelt reflection on the grief, growth,and transformation that shape the lives of NICU families. She speaks candidly about the lasting impact of loss, the complexities of life after the NICU, and the often unseen support parents need long after discharge. Ashley shares how family and friends can best support thos...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast , host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Mahaley Patel, who shares her journey through pregnancy, the traumatic birth of her daughter Saachi, and the challenges faced during their NICU stay. She discusses the emotional complexities of child loss, the importance of processing trauma, and how she found purpose in her grief. Mahaley also highlights the signific...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast ,host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Michelle Ross who opens up about her powerful journey through pregnancy complications, the heartbreak of losing a child, and the complexities of navigating the NICU with her daughter, Brielle. She reflectson the vital role of support systems, the weight of mental health during such vulnerable seasons, and the ways she’...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast , host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Jess Smith , who bravely shares her journey through a high-risk pregnancy, the challenges of having a baby in the NICU, and the profound heartbreak of losing her daughter, Juliet. Jess opens up about what it was like to have herdaughter cared for in the very same NICU where she worked as a physical therapist - an expe...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O’Neil sits down with Hannah Baldwin, who shares her powerful journey through a high-risk twin pregnancyand the premature birth of her girls at just 23 weeks. Hannah opens up about navigating the uncertainty, grief,and growth that came with her NICU experience—the emotional toll, the role of faith in her healing, and the importance of lea...

On this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Shawna Keyes, a fellow NICU mama, who opens up about her powerful journey from pregnancy complications to the emotional challenges of welcoming a premature baby. She shares the grief that comes with unmet expectations, the delicate process of bonding in the NICU, and the vital role of medical staff and community suppor...

On this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Wakeya Belt, who shares her journey through the NICU with her son Kelvin, who faced significant medical challenges during his 10-month stay. She discusses the emotional turmoil of being a NICU parent, the lack ofsupport, and the impact of grief on her family. Wakaya also highlights the importance of writing as a form of...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Brianna, a fellow medical mama, about their shared experiences of navigating the complexities of parenting children with medical needs. Brianna shares her journey from pregnancy to receiving a life-altering diagnosis for her daughter, Violet, and the challenges of being a single parent after the loss of her husband....

On this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Erica Shoemate, who shares her deeply personal journey through pregnancy and the challenges she faced along the way. From her initial hesitation about becoming a mom to the heartbreaking news she received during her anatomy scan; Erica walks us through the emotional and medical decisions that shaped her NICU experience....

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host AshleyO'Neil speaks with Jocelyn Duvall, a NICU mama who shares her heart-wrenching journey of delivering her daughter at 25 weeks and the challenges she faced in the NICU. Jocelyn discusses the emotional toll of losing her daughter, the lackof support from the healthcare system, and her mission to create a nonprofit foundation in her daught...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Dr. Melinda Elliott, Chief Medical Officer for Prolacta Bioscience, about the critical importance of nutrition for premature babies. They discuss the unique nutritional needs of these infants, the role of human milk fortifiers, and the advocacy parents must engage in to ensure their babies receive the best care poss...

In this episode of Ask a NICU Mama , host Ashley O’Neil sits down with Cathy Garrett, host of the Birth Trauma Stories podcast . Cathy opens up about her two NICU journeys, traumatic births, and the challenges of long-term recovery. Together, they discuss motherhood, resilience, faith, and the vital role of community support. Cathy also shares what inspired her to start her own podcast to help oth...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, hostAshley O'Neil speaks with Kirill, the vice president of community engagement for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of DC. They discuss the vital support provided to families with children in the NICU, the history and mission of the Ronald McDonald House, and the various services offered to alleviate the stress of families during medical cri...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, I amjoined by Deb Discenza, a global preemie advocate, author, nonprofit founder and so much more.  She shares her journeyas a NICU mama, detailing her experiences from pregnancy challenges to the emotional rollercoaster of having a baby in the NICU. The discussion highlights the importance of advocacy, support systems, and the long-term impacts ofpr...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, I’mjoined by Shannon, who shares her powerful journey as a NICU mom to both of her children. She opens up about the challenges of preterm birth, the emotional weight of a NICU stay, and the added complexities of being a hard of hearingmother during a pandemic. Shannon also reflects on her growth, the role of support systems, and her advocacy for grea...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, I’mjoined by Shireen and Adrianna, chairs of the Mount Sinai Parent Advisory Committee in Toronto, Canada. Together, we dive into their personal journeys as NICU parents—the challenges they faced, the resilience they discovered, and the power of community support. They open up about the impact of preeclampsia, the importance of connecting with other...

In this heartfelt episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast,host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Fatima, a NICU mother who shares her profound journey with her daughter Amira, who spent six months in the NICU. Fatima discusses the challenges of premature birth, the importance of advocacy, and the deep connections formed with the NICU staff. She reflects on her grief, the cultural aspects of loss, and h...