Ask a NICU Mama Podcast

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast , I amjoined by a fellow micro-preemie mama, Ashley Aloba, whose story will stay with you.  From developing preeclampsia to delivering her son Elias at just 25 weeks, Ashley opens up about navigating two very different NICU experiences, the heartbreak of loss, and the long journey of healing. This is a conversation about grief, resilience, and the way...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, I am joined by Madisen, a fellow micro-preemie mama, who bravely shares her emotional and physical journey through a high-risk twin pregnancy and a 164-day NICU stay. Madisen opens up about the challenges of giving birth at 22 weeks gestation, the realities of life in the NICU, and the often-overlooked transition from hospital to home. Her story is o...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, I am joined by Ashley Preston, a NICU mama who shares her powerful journey with her son, Carter. They discuss the challenges of a high-risk pregnancy, the emotional roller coaster of the NICU experience, and the transition to home life. Ashley also talks about the establishment of her nonprofit, Carter G. Cares, aimed at supporting NICU families. The...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with attorney David Grzechowiak from Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch and Norman about the complexities of medical malpractice and birth injury cases. David explains what constitutes medical malpractice, the steps families should take if they suspect negligence, and the legal processes involved. He discusses the financial...

In this heartfelt episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast,host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Adriauna Davis, a NICU mom who shares her journey of having a micro preemie, the emotional toll of a NICU stay, and her advocacy work through the Harmonie Grace Foundation. The conversation delvesinto the importance of mental health support for NICU families, the challenges of navigating grief, and the impa...

In this powerful episode of Ask a NICU Mama , host Ashley O'Neil sits down with Nicole Heidger, a courageous mother who shares her deeply personal journey through a traumatic birth, life in the NICU, and the heartbreaking loss of her son, Kannon. Nicole opens up about navigating grief,the lasting impact of insensitive comments, and how she found purpose through advocacy and community. Together...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Katie Taylor, co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call. They discuss the vital role of Child Life Specialists in supporting families navigating complex medical journeys, particularly in the NICU and PICU. Katie shares insights on bonding techniques for parents and siblings, the importance of open communication about...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host AshleyO'Neil speaks with Cindy Rahman, the CEO and president of March of Dimes. Cindy shares her journey with March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to improving maternal and infant health. She discusses the organization's history, its current focus on preterm birth and maternal mortality, and the importance of advocacy and community support....

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil speaks with Latoya Blueford who shares her profound NICU journey with her daughter Skylar, who was born prematurely and faced numerous medicalchallenges. The discussion delves into the emotional rollercoaster of NICU life, the transition to home, and the heartbreaking experience of losing Skylar. LaToya reflects on her grief, the cr...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O’Neil speaks with Kristal Gaddes who opens up about her powerful journey through the NICU as a preemie mom. Together, we dive into the emotional and practical challenges parents face in the NICU, from navigating medical complexities and juggling family responsibilities, to theimportance of support systems and community.  Kristal spends t...

Welcome to season 3! In this episode of the Ask a NICU MamaPodcast, host Ashley O’Neil speaks to Misti Staley, founder of the Freeman Foundation and the creator of the FreeArm. In this heartfelt conversation, Misti shares her journey as a mother to her son Freeman, who faced numerous medical challenges from birth. The discussion delves into the emotional and practical aspects of navigating the NIC...

In the season 2 finale of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, hostAshley O'Neil and guest Katonya discuss the profound emotional journey of parenting a child with complex medical needs, particularly focusing on the grief experienced by NICU parents. They explore the various stages of grief,the challenges faced after discharge, and the importance of recognizing triggers and coping mechanisms. The conversa...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO'Neil speaks with Ebony Ford, a dedicated maternal health advocate and the Chair of the 2025 DC Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.  She sheds light on Preeclampsia and HELLPSyndrome, discussing the importance of the Promise Walk and its impact. Ebony shares her inspiring story as a two-time survivor of preeclampsia. This discussion emphasizes...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Dominic Petrovia, a neonatal and pediatric nurse leader, who is also the Vice President of Sales and Clinical Strategy at Keriton Kare. Dominic discusses the innovative solutions that Keriton Kare provides to improve the NICU experience, including a parent-focused app designed to empower families during their baby&#...

In this episode of Ask a NICU Mama, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Ms. Jan, a seasoned NICU nurse with 38 years of experience. They discuss the evolution of NICU care, the importance of family involvement, and the emotional journey of parents with premature babies. Ms. Jan shares her insightson how to navigate the NICU experience, the resources available for families, and the significance of menta...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Diane who shares her deeply personal journey through infertility, infant loss, and the challenges of navigating the NICU with her children. She discusses the emotional toll of her experiences, the importance of community support, and the lessons learned about resilience and motherhood. Diane's story highlights the compl...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host AshleyO'Neil speaks with Meli about her unexpected journey to motherhood, which included the challenges of having a premature baby and navigating the emotional roller coaster of the NICU experience. Meli shares her story of faith, theimportance of support systems, and the need for self-advocacy during this difficult time. The conversation co...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil speaks to Dr. Adrianne Rahde Bischoff, a neonatal hemodynamic specialist.  Dr. Adrianne discusses the critical aspects of neonatal care, particularly focusing on blood flow in infants, the challenges faced by preemies, and the clinical implications of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). She emphasizes the importance of targeted echocard...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO'Neil speaks with Antoinyce about her journey to motherhood, detailing the unexpected news of her twin pregnancy and the challenges that followed, including a diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). She discusses the emotional rollercoaster of preparing for an early delivery, the NICU experience, and the impact on her mar...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Marilyn about her unexpected journey to motherhood, which began with an unexpected pregnancy at 36. Marilyn shares her experiences in the NICU after her daughter was born with a rare disease, discussing the emotional challenges, the importance of community support, and the lessons learned throughout her journey. The...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with NICU nurse Robin who shares her experiences both as a healthcare professional and a mother to a child with complex medical needs. She discusses the importance of family involvement in NICU care, bonding with babies, navigating resources, and the emotional impact of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) diagnosis. Robin emphasizes...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O'Neil engages in a conversation with Dr. Jess, who shares her personal and professional journey through the NICU experience. She sheds light on the emotional challenges faced by parents and underscores the importance of education and empowerment for families. Dr. Jess discusses the difficulties of transitioning from the NICU to home, the...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Margie and Melissa, founders of NEOwell, about their experiences in the NICU as both nurse practitioners and former NICU moms. They discuss the emotional challenges faced by families, the importance of preparation for a potential NICU stay, and the resources available to support parents during and after their NICU journ...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Rachell about her deeply personal journey to motherhood, marked by multiple pregnancy losses and systemic challenges within the healthcare system. Rachell shares her experiences with advocacy, mental health support, and the creation of her non-profit, A Light After Nine, aimed at helping others navigate infertility,...

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Jamie who shares her profound journey through the NICU experience with her son Caleb, emphasizing the importance of faith, self-care, and personal growth. She reflects on the challenges faced during her NICU stay, the impact on her relationships, and the lessons learned as a mother. Jamie also discusses her subsequent p...