NICU & You

Why do so many parents feel that asking for help could put their baby at risk? In this episode of Nicu&You , Belle Stevenson is joined by Marie McElroy, Lecturer in Social Work at Ulster University and registered social worker, for an honest and compassionate conversation about one of the biggest fears voiced by NICU and new parents: stigma. Together they explore the fear that seeking support...

What was it like to experience a NICU journey in a time when parents were often left in the dark, and emotional support simply didn’t exist? In this powerful episode of Nicu&You , Belle Stevenson is joined by Rosemary, who shares her deeply personal experience of giving birth over 40 years ago. From early labour and limited communication, to her newborn daughter being taken to NICU without exp...

What do you hold onto when your baby arrives at 23 weeks and every day becomes a fight for survival? In this deeply emotional episode of Nicu&You , Belle Stevenson speaks with Geraldine and Adam about their son Kian’s extraordinary NICU journey. From early pregnancy complications and emergency relocation to Winnipeg, to the tense countdown to viability at 23 weeks, their story captures the ext...

What happens when your baby arrives too soon—and every second becomes a fight for survival? In this powerful and deeply emotional episode of NICU & You , Deborah shares the story of her daughter Olivia, born prematurely at 32 weeks following a high-risk pregnancy marked by constant monitoring, rising heart rates, and an unexpected emergency delivery. From two weeks on a hospital ward to a sudd...

What happens when a long-awaited pregnancy suddenly turns into an emergency? In this powerful episode of NICU & You , host Belle Stevenson is joined by MLA Deborah Erskine, who shares her deeply personal journey through miscarriage, anxiety, and a high-risk pregnancy that took a dramatic turn at 29 weeks. After years of trying to conceive—and a heartbreaking loss—Deborah finally receives the n...

What does it truly mean to support someone when there are no easy answers? In this heartfelt and deeply honest episode, host Bell Stevenson sits down with minister Andrea Cotter to discuss the emotional and mental health challenges of the NICU and perinatal journeys. Drawing from her own experience as a premature twin and the profound grief of losing both parents to cancer at a young age, Andrea s...

When Joanne Morgan, CEO of Tiny Life, reflects on her NICU journey, she doesn’t just tell a story of premature birth — she shares an experience marked by loss, trauma, resilience, and the enduring impact of a baby who lived for only two weeks, yet changed everything. Following a complicated pregnancy and a diagnosis of hydrops fetalis, Joanne’s son, Fabar, was born critically ill. What followed wa...

When Joanne Morgan, CEO of Tiny Life, looks back on her NICU journey, it’s not just a story of premature birth — it’s a story of loss, trauma, resilience, and the lasting impact of a baby who lived for just two weeks… but changed everything. After a complicated pregnancy and a diagnosis of hydrops fetalis, Joanne’s baby boy, Fabar, was born critically ill. What followed was a devastating two-week...

Colleen Gallen’s journey into motherhood began with devastating news: at her 20-week scan, her baby was diagnosed with hydrops fetalis and given little chance of survival. What followed was a rollercoaster of fear, uncertainty, and life-threatening complications, including Mirror Syndrome. In this powerful episode, Colleen shares the raw reality of navigating a high-risk pregnancy, an emergency pr...

Clara Maybin’s motherhood journey is anything but ordinary: three premature arrivals, each with their own roller‑coaster of hope, heartache, and triumph. In this episode, she shares the early neonatal nights, the emotional challenges, and the milestones that made her stronger. Clara also opens up about balancing life as a busy business owner with family life, offering insight, honesty, and plenty...