In this episode, we sit down with Rachell Dumas, founder of A Light After Nine, to hear her journey through loss, resilience, and advocacy. Rachell shares her experiences of multiple pregnancy losses, advocating for herself and her babies, and finally welcoming her son after an incredibly challenging journey. She opens up vulnerably about her path to bonding with her son and offers encouragement to other NICU moms who didn’t or don’t feel an immediate bond with their babies.

We also explore medical advocacy, the complexities of bonding after loss or a NICU experience, and the power of support and community. Through her nonprofit, A Light After Nine, Rachell provides resources, mentorship, and advocacy to moms facing similar challenges!

We hope this episode reminds you that no matter where you are on your healing journey, you are seen and loved.

To get connected with A Light After Nine:
Website | Instagram

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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We are excited to be back after the Thanksgiving break! On today’s episode, we have the opportunity to hear Serenity’s NICU journey with her daughter Amirah. Serenity opens up about her unexpected high-risk pregnancy and her daughter Amirah’s premature birth at 25 weeks.

Through her story, she reflects on the challenges of balancing life as a NICU mom and a full-time student, the difficult decisions she faced along the way, and the moments of hope and healing that have shaped her into the fierce advocate and loving mother she is today.

Now thriving as a social work graduate, Serenity shares her passion for advocating for Black maternal health and how her NICU journey has fueled her mission to support mothers and families. We also discuss the recent Bundle Up Commute Kits project we collaborated on to provide practical support for rural NICU families during harsh winters!

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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On this week’s podcast episode, we continue Sarah’s remarkable NICU journey with her twin boys, Noah and Uriah.

Throughout this episode, Sarah shares the challenges of navigating complex medical decisions, including both boys’ heart surgeries and Uriah’s extended NICU stay. She opens up about the emotional process of bringing Noah home while Uriah remained in the hospital and the life-changing decision to give Uriah a trach. We learn more about her journey to becoming a medically complex NICU mama, and how she has navigated and embraced having home health nursing in this season of her family’s life.

As you listen to part two of Sarah’s story, we hope you feel reminded that NICU mama, there is goodness ahead. You can do this, and you are never alone!

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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On this week’s episode, join Martha and Ashley in welcoming Dr. Michelle Wyatt for a special mini-interview! Dr. Wyatt is a Maternal Fetal Medicine physician at Essentia Health, our presenting sponsor for the Dear NICU Mama Event: Be Proud of Who You’ve Become. In anticipation of this incredible event, we chat about Maternal Fetal Medicine practice, what Essentia Health is doing to support NICU families, and words of wisdom for Dr. Wyatt herself!

Registration is still available for Be Proud of Who You’ve Become Presented by Essentia Health, hosted virtually on November 13th, 2021. For more information visit, www.dearnicumama.com/events !

To get connected with Essentia Health: https://www.essentiahealth.org

Michelle Wyatt is a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. She is a Minnesota native growing up in a suburb of Minneapolis and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She graduated Sum Cum laude and Phi beta Kappa with a B.S in biochemistry and B.A. in Physiology. She attended Medical School at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine where she met her husband. She completed her residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology and fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine also at Mayo Clinic. She is the mother to two handsome boys. Their family enjoys being out on the water in the summer and watching football in the fall. During her free time, she enjoys baking and crafting. She has a passion for working with families experiencing high risk pregnancies and an interest in researching and improving the quality of care in obstetrics.

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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On this week’s episode, we have the honor of sharing part 1 of Taylor’s motherhood journey with her son, Milo! Milo was born full-term and had a NICU stay of 188 days that included 2 ambulatory transfers and 3 hospitals.

Upon birth, Milo was diagnosed with Vacterl association after being born with a VSD, TEF, and an ectopic kidney. He underwent his first of 3 TEF repairs at 3 days old, 2 of those repairs included opening up his chest, and he also underwent multiple dilation procedures on his esophagus, open heart surgery to repair his VSD, multiple blood transfusions, and a g-tube placement surgery.  (Amongst many other things!) After being told he could potentially make it home by Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas he went on to spend many more milestones in the hospital before finally making it home in time for Mother’s Day!

Not only is Taylor’s story special because of Milo’s resilience, but also because of the resilience she showed throughout her stay as a pandemic NICU mama and a mama to her older child Charlie. We hope that all of our pandemic NICU mamas feel seen, heard, and validated throughout this episode. You journeyed through so much alone - but we hope that you feel surrounded and loved by this sisterhood today.

To get connected with DNM:

 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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This week’s episode is a mini episode all about our upcoming event on November 13th, 2021! If you’ve had any questions about our event or wondered what to expect when attending the event, we hope this episode answers some of those questions!

Our “Be Proud of Who you’ve Become” event is designed specifically for current and past NICU mamas. Featuring renowned high-risk pregnancy specialist, author, speaker, and NICU mama, Parijat Desphande as our keynote speaker and Anese Barnett, maternal mental health expert and founder of The Breakthrough Mama. This special event will offer the opportunity to learn about trauma after the NICU, meet NICU mamas from around the world, and discover the hope of healing.

All registrations will include admission to our live event on November 13, 2021, access to the recording after the event, and a Dear NICU Mama gift box mailed prior to event. (Event registrations must be received by November 1st in order to receive your box by the event date. For attendees outside of the United States, please know that there may be delays, and we will do our best to get it to you on time!)

Event Schedule:

• 3:00 PM Pre-Event Reflection with Anese Barnett
• 4:00 PM Welcome
• 4:15 PM Keynote: Parijat Deshpande
• 5:00 PM Q&A with Parijat Desphande
• 5:30 PM BREAK
• 5:40 PM Life After NICU Panel
• 6:25 PM Breakout Session
• 7:30 PM Closing & Post-Event Reflection with Anese Barnett

** Need-based scholarships available! If you are interested in requesting a scholarship or funding a scholarship for another mama, please email hello@dearnicumama.com **

For previous podcasts episodes with Parijat, head here or here.  For our previous podcast episode with Anese, head here!

To register, head to www.dearnicumama.com/events! We’d love to have you join us.

To get connected with DNM:

 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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On this week’s episode, we have the honor of sharing Jamie’s motherhood journey with her twins, Cooper and Lydia! Cooper and Lydia were born at 26 weeks, and had a NICU stay of 80 days. Not only is their story special because of their resilience, but also because today they are now thriving 19 year olds heading to college and we get to hear about the young adults they are becoming!

Throughout this episode, Jamie shares about what it has been like to see Cooper and Lydia grow up and hit so many milestones, as well as how their NICU journey has shaped the mother and woman she has become today. We hope that for any current or new NICU moms, this episode offers hope and encouragement to your heart for all that is to come. And for our “older” NICU moms, we hope you feel seen and heard throughout this episode. While support resources such as Dear NICU Mama, may not have existed at the time of your stay, we hope you feel surrounded by this sisterhood today. You are never alone!

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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Cold and flu season, pandemic, RSV oh my! On this week’s episode, we have the opportunity to sit down with a very well-known and respected pediatrician in the Fargo Moorhead area, Dr. Stephanie Hanson with Sanford Health. Dr. Hanson has 11 years of pediatric experience, and in her practice has seen many NICU grads come through her clinic. Cold and flu season is a scary topic for any new mother, but for many NICU mothers there is an added element of fear as their babies may have compromised immune systems. Add on the pandemic and this time of year can be very anxiety inducing. So today we wanted to take the opportunity to share some practical information regarding cold and flu season from a licensed and experienced medical professional!

Throughout the episode, we talk about:

• Why is cold and flu season picking up so early this year?
• What are some basic practices a NICU mom can do to protect her child’s immune system during cold and flu season?
• What can our response be when well-meaning friends and family say things like “Don’t live in fear… they have to build their immune system sometime!”
• Words of encouragement for NICU families who are sending their kids to daycare and school

We hope that this episode eases some of your fears, gets you away from those midnight google searches, and reminds you that you are your baby's best advocate. You can do this mama!

To get connected with Sanford Health: www.sanfordhealth.org

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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For many NICU mothers, the decision on how and if to grow their family after NICU or birth trauma can be complex. And for some, the decision on whether or not they are able to grow their family via pregnancy was made for them due to emergency medical procedures or interventions. This decision can feel additionally complex when questions such as “When are you going to give your child a sibling?” arise in daily conversation, and outdated social assumptions made about only children still exist. But because of the work of communities like “Only You Podcast”, these social norms are changing!

In this episode, Jess shares about her own preeclampsia journey, her daughter’s PICU and medically complex journey, and how her and her husband decided together to be a “one and done” family. She also debunks many of the myths and misconceptions surrounding having an only child and hint - they thrive!

We hope that this podcast episode affirms the NICU mamas in our sisterhood that have decided or are making the decision to be a “one and done” family that your family building journey is celebrated and honored. At the end of the day you know what is best for your family and that is enough.

 About Jess: Pre-eclampsia survivor, NICU mama, co-host of Only You: A One and Done Podcast and mother of a two year old. Advocate for one child families and empowering parents with the right to choose.

To get connected with Jess:
  Website | Instagram | Facebook

To get connected with DNM:
  Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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 our partners when we process trauma differently?
• How can we communicate with our partners when we are in different places emotionally in our healing?
• How can an inward processor and an outward processor work together and find  common ground?
• How can we communicate our needs to our partners?
• What are some practical and gentle tips to preserve connection both in and out of the NICU?

We hope this episode offers some tangible tools and wisdom for how to communicate and heal alongside your partner. You are never ever alone!

Natalie specializes in reproductive mental health which includes peri-natal, post-partum, infertility, infant loss, paternal mental health, and the impact on couples. She has received specialized training in perinatal and post-partum mental health from Postpartum Support International, and was recently selected as the 2019 Outstanding Mental Health Counselor by the North Dakota Mental Health Counseling Association for my work with reproductive mental health. Her work as a child birth educator and her two children have sparked her passion of working with reproductive mental health!

To get connected with Natalie:
 Website | Instagram | Facebook

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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 were the size of raisins.  After his lungs had fully developed in size and strength he was able to come after one week in the NICU.

Throughout the episode Sarah shares about what it was like to journey through the NICU as a full-term mom, and some of the misconceptions she has encountered from people regarding her son’s stay. We hope that this episode affirms other full-term mamas with “shorter” stays that your NICU journey is significant, valid and honored.

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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The Dear NICU Mama podcast is back! While we’re grateful for the extra time we had with our families this summer, we’re so excited to be back in this space with all of you. To kick off Season 9, we are honored to share part 1 of Sarah’s powerful NICU journey with her twin boys.

In this episode, Sarah opens up about the unexpected complications during her pregnancy, her time on bed rest, and what led to their emergency c-section at 25 weeks. She shares her experience navigating those early, uncertain days in the NICU and how she coped with the challenges of having medically fragile preemies.

As you listen to Sarah’s story, we hope you feel seen, empowered, and reminded of the incredible strength we all carry as NICU mothers. This sisterhood is proud to walk alongside you.

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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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 mamas.

The Dear NICU Mama sisterhood exists for the past and the present NICU mom. No matter where you are in your personal NICU journey, know that you do not walk it alone.

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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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 physical effects of preeclampsia, but she also offers the firsthand perspective of journeying through this herself. We are so grateful for the wisdom and empathy that she brings to this conversation!

In this episode we cover:

• What is preeclampsia? 
• What is HELLP and how is it different than preeclampsia?
• If I developed preeclampsia in my previous pregnancy, how likely am I to develop it again in future pregnancies? Is there anything I can do to prevent preeclampsia from reoccurring?
• Are there any additional health risks for either mom or baby associated with preeclampsia after birth?

We hope that this episode offers some sound wisdom on all things regrading preeclampsia, and reminds you once again of how miraculous both you and your little one are. You are a survivor, mama!

Rebekah Tompkins, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, specializing in high-risk pregnancy, infertility and menopause. She practices at Sanford Women’s at Sanford Southpointe Clinic in Fargo. Dr. Tompkins earned her medical degree from the University of North Dakota and completed her residency at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. 

Dr. Tompkins and her husband, Matt, have two children and two dogs. Dr. Tompkins loves traveling, experiencing new cultures and doing almost anything outdoors. In addition to English, she speaks Japanese and Spanish. She also enjoys baking and reading - although most recently her reading is limited to OB/GYN textbooks and the Curious George collection.

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

To get connected with Sanford Health Women’s:
Website 

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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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 NICU journey and also what it was like for Tiffany to split her time between both girls and her son at home. After 129 days in the NICU, Finley graduated from the NICU and came home on low flow oxygen. Because of some significant reflux, the transition home was difficult for Finely and Tiffany shares openly about how she not only advocated for her daughter’s pediatric care, but also how she began to build her bond with Finley.

We hope this episode affirms that there is no shame for not feeling an instant bond with your baby.  There is nothing wrong with you. <3

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama)

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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 for NICU mothers and women who have experienced trauma throughout their family building journey, exercise isn’t always that simple.

In this episode we cover:

• Why might exercise trigger a trauma response in our bodies?
• Why might “getting our body back” not be as simple for NICU mothers?
• When might a mama know that a form of exercise isn’t quite right or isn’t honoring her body’s stored trauma?
• What are some gentle forms of exercise that a mama could start with that would nourish her body if she is longing to take care of herself?

We hope this episode affirms the mamas in our sisterhood that your body is on your side. Most importantly? You are worthy and loved just as you are.

Parijat Deshpande is the leading integrative high-risk pregnancy specialist, somatic trauma professional and speaker and author who guides women to improve their pregnancy complications so they can reduce their risk of preterm birth. Her unique neurobiological approach has served hundreds of women to manage pregnancy complications and reclaim a safety and trust in their bodies that they thought was eroded forever. Parijat is the author of bestselling book Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy. She is also the host of the popular podcast Delivering Miracles®️, that discusses the real, raw side of family-building including infertility, loss, high-risk pregnancy, bed rest, prematurity and healing once baby comes home.

To get connected with Parijat Deshpande:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Delivering Miracles® Podcast

Parijat's Book, Pregnancy Brain - Available on Kindle and paperback on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. - https://parijatdeshpande.lpages.co/pregnancybrain/

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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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 | Martha Part 2

To listen to Ashley’s NICU journey:

S2 EP 18 | Ashley | A High-Risk Pregnancy & Silas’ NICU Journey

To listen to the physical therapist interview mentioned in the episode:

S3 EP 08 | Sex After NICU and/or Birth Trauma Part 2 with Jill Ehrmantraut

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

To listen, you can find us on iTunes or Spotify, or by clicking the link below!

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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 this episode we not only have the opportunity to hear about how far we have come in how we advocate for mother to baby bonding, but Janet also shares about how she honors and remembers Kevin today, who Kelly has become and how he is thriving with a family of his own, and she offers words of love to the Angel loss mamas in our sisterhood.

** This episode does cover infant loss, and if that may be a trigger for you, we ask that you listen to this episode in an environment that you feel safe and/or at a time when you feel ready.

To get connected with DNM:

 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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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 history with preeclampsia, her pregnancy was high-risk from the start and she was monitored very closely throughout. Luke was born at 36 weeks + 4 days weighing 5lbs 12 oz due to severe preeclampsia as well, but he did not have a NICU stay. He is healthy and home soaking up all of the love from his sister!

Throughout this episode Lexxa share openly and honestly about how she advocated throughout Ali’s NICU stay and during both of her pregnancies, as well as what it was like to be pregnant again after having a preemie in the NICU. We hope that this episode affirms that mama trust your mom gut because you know your baby best!

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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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 listen here! 

Kayla Craigis a writer and podcast producer who believes in the power of story. She writes modern prayers for moms and dads at Liturgies for Parents and her book is forthcoming with Tyndale in 2021. Kayla co-founded and hosts Upside Down Podcast, a place for conversations on faith and justice. 

Kayla loves deep mugs of coffee, deeper belly laughs, and even deeper questions. She and her pastor-husband Jonny live in Iowa, where they’re raising four young kids who joined their family via birth and adoption. She has two fluffy dogs and spends too much time on Instagram.

Her most recent published essays are in This Is Motherhood: A Motherly Collection of Reflections + Practices and Rally: Litanies for the Lovers of Jesus and Justice and her new book is now available for pre-order!

To get connected with DNM:

Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama)

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On this week’s episode we have a conversation about life after NICU with Mary Farrelly with The NICU Translator! Mary Farrelly is a certified NICU nurse, doula, nurse educator, mom of two and the founder of The NICU Translator where she helps to bridge the gap between the NICU and home through education, community and 1:1 support.

In this episode we continue our theme of life after NICU and Mary shares how she got started, and her heart to provide support for NICU families once they are home. She also develops curriculums to train nurses on how to better bridge the gap from being in the NICU and getting discharged.

We hope that as you listen to this episode you are reminded that you are deserving of care and support throughout your entire NICU journey during your NICU stay, but when you are discharged and at home as well.

The NICU Translator is offering the following resources to the Dear NICU Mama Sisterhood:

FREE The NICU Family's Guide to Getting the Most Out of Each Medical Appointment: Includes a detailed checklist and helpful tools for preparing for and navigating each appointment so you can feel empowered to navigate the complex healthcare system and feel confident to best advocate for your NICU baby. 

FREE Friends and Family's Guide to Your NICU Baby: Do you wish your friends and family understood what makes your NICU baby different compared to a “regular” newborn? Let me help break it down for them so you don't have to be the bad cop and they understand how to keep your baby safe as you head home from the NICU.

Head here for a link to join The NICU Translator Community for free!

About Mary:

With over a decade of experience as a Level IV NICU nurse and nurse educator, Mary has supported hundreds of NICU families, both at the bedside and during the transition home. She has created and taught a comprehensive curriculum for new nurses, drawing on her expertise in neonatal pathophysiology and best practices. Her work has been instrumental in preparing healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care to the most vulnerable infants and their families.

Mary is passionate about enhancing the NICU discharge experience by empowering families with evidence-based education and support, helping them to create a nurturing environment where their family can thrive. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University.

To connect with Mary and her work at The NICU Translator:

Website | Instagram

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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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 healing, this episode is dedicated to the topic of establishing safety within our bodies.

In this episode we cover:

• What are some ways that trauma can reveal itself in the body, and how can we listen to what our bodies are telling us?
• What does it mean to be grounded and how can we do this when we are feeling triggered or unsafe?
• What does it feel like to feel safe in the body? What does it feel like to not feel safe in the body? What is one way a mom can find safety in her body?
• How can a NICU mom seeking out therapy advocate and find a qualified provider in her area that is willing to do the hard inner work?

We hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone and also gently reminds you that just because something is common, doesn’t mean it has to be your standard. You are worthy of the time and investment it takes to heal.

Anese Barnett is a veteran NICU mama to a now rambunctious toddler who is the inspiration for her work and research. She is a perinatal mental health therapist and clinical psychology doctoral student who is passionate about improving mommy's mental health, especially for those experiencing high-risk pregnancy and the NICU. Anese uses her personal and professional experiences to help NICU mamas and women with high-risk pregnancy find the healing, peace, and joy they deserve. Her dream is to see every NICU in this country equipped with the necessary psychological resources to help parents journey through the unexpected. 

To get connected with Anese:
 Website | Instagram

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

To listen, you can find us on iTunes or Spotify, or by clicking the link below!

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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 them today. We hope Sally’s joyful personality brings you joy wherever you are listening today!

To listen to Taylor’s episode mentioned in the episode, click here!

To listen to Kristi’s episode mentioned in the episode, click here for part 1 and here for part 2!

To get connected with Sally:
Fargo Quads Blog

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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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 medically complex child, her and her family found themselves not only navigating the unknown waters of the pandemic, but also navigating how to protect their son. She shares openly and honestly about the triggers she faced, how they navigated therapies and appointments moving virtual, and also how this year also gave their family an opportunity to heal.

As we reflect on one year of this pandemic, we want to affirm again just how brave and courageous you are. This year has tested many of us in ways we could have never imagined or prepared for, and we are so very proud of this sisterhood for getting through it. Even in extreme measures of isolation - know that mama you are never alone.

To hear part 1 of Vilma's NICU journey:
S2 EP 09 | Vilma

To listen to Parijat Deshpande's interview mentioned in the episode:
S2 EP 03 | NICU Trauma in the Time of COVID-10 with Parijat Deshpande

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama)

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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 infant loss.

We hope this episode reminds loss mamas and twin loss mama everywhere that you are never alone.

To get connected with DNM:

 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

** This episode does cover infant loss, and if that may be a trigger for you, we ask that you listen to this episode in an environment that you feel safe and/or at a time when you feel ready.

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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 within the body with a vaginal delivery vs a cesarean delivery?
•  When is too late to receive therapy from a physical therapist? (Hint - it’s never too late!)
•  Where in our bodies do we hold trauma? Is an emotional response during therapy normal?

We hope this episodes offers insight into the physical aspects of healing after birth and/or NICU trauma. Your body has done so much to protect you, and unlocking therapies like physical therapy can be a wonderful asset in your healing journey.

Resources mentioned in episode:
For the Academy of Pelvic Health PT “Find a PT”
Herman and Wallace Find a Pelvic Health Practitioner

 Jill is a Board-Certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialist (WCS) with advanced training in pelvic rehabilitation for females, males and children. Jill graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND in 2010. She has advanced training in the treatment of pelvic pain, pregnancy and post-partum issues, urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, constipation, and neurogenic bladder in women, men, and children. She also has years of experience in treating female pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic floor dysfunction during or after cancer treatment, pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction, and post prostatectomy incontinence in males. She is the second physical therapist in the state of North Dakota to obtain a Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. Jill is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and a part of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. She is also certified in Functional Dry Needling Level 1 and Pelvic Floor dry needling/Level 2.

To get connected with Jill:
  Website | Instagram

To get connected with DNM:
  Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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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 emotionally postpartum. Add on a traumatic birth and/or traumatic NICU stay, and your feelings and desires for and about sex may have changed drastically. But you are not alone in those feelings mama, in fact it's very normal!

In this episode we cover:

• What changes emotionally in our bodies postpartum?
• Is it normal to not want to have sex anymore, and is there anything we can do to desire to have sex again?
• How can we be present in sex without worrying or fearing a potential pregnancy?
• How can we communicate our honest concerns with our partner?
• What are some practical ways we can connect with our partner that make sex enjoyable again?

We hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone and also gently reminds you that sex with your partner is designed to be pleasurable and fun. It may take time to heal and get there - but you can and you will.

Natalie specializes in reproductive mental health which includes peri-natal, post-partum, infertility, infant loss, paternal mental health, and the impact on couples. She has received specialized training in perinatal and post-partum mental health from Postpartum Support International, and was recently selected as the 2019 Outstanding Mental Health Counselor by the North Dakota Mental Health Counseling Association for my work with reproductive mental health. Her work as a child birth educator and her two children have sparked her passion of working with reproductive mental health!

To get connected with Natalie:
 Website | Instagram | Facebook

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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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 daily lives?
• What role does safety play as we begin to process our trauma?
• Conversational examples of simple narrative shifts we can speak to ourselves in anxious moments

We hope that this episode offers some tangible narrative shifts to implement to better honor your heart as you heal both in and out of the NICU. You are never alone!

To learn more about Kristin Neff’s self-compassion work and teaching mentioned in the episode:
Website | Facebook

About Melissa Dahl, MS, LPCC, CCMHC:

Melissa Dahl is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, who specializes in Women’s Mental Health. She has dedicated a portion of her practice to work in Women’s Maternal Health. She is a trained teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion. She is also a strong advocate for education and resources in the community as well as self-compassion and vulnerability as tools for healing. She is the owner of Mindful Healing & Consulting.

To get connected with Melissa:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama)

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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.

We also have the opportunity to thank Bell Bank publicly for their generous donation through their Pay It Forward Program! We were honored to receive Kristi’s funds for our Walking Letter of Hope Day, and we are forever grateful for their generosity and belief in Dear NICU Mama.

For Kristi’s Part 1 episode, click here!

To learn more about Bell Bank’s pay it forward program, click here!

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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Walking Letter of Hope Day is THIS SUNDAY, July 28th! And to celebrate, we have the honor of sharing Daniela’s NICU journey with her full-term son Mateo. She shares openly about her unexpected complications during labor that lead to an extended NICU stay, what it was like to deliver and navigate the NICU during the pandemic, and how she found the courage to grow her family again. We also chat about what being a #walkingletterofhope means to her and how she found hope and healing after the NICU.

We hope that as you listen to Daniela’s story you feel seen and validated, and are reminded that no matter the differences in each of our journeys there is a through line that connects us all. You are never alone!

To join us this Walking Letter of Hope Day and to help raise crucial funds for Dear NICU Mama’s programs and services like this podcast, head to dearnicumama.com/hope. Thank you to Gate City Bank for being a sponsor for this year’s Walking Letter of Hope Day!

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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 how to implement these boundaries. We couldn't think of a better guest and teacher to have share about this on our podcast than the one and only Natalie Reiter with Prairieland Counseling!

In this episode we cover:

• What a healthy boundary is and how do define what a healthy boundary is for your family
• How to define and set these boundaries with loved ones without damaging the relationship
• How to navigate boundaries when your partner's boundaries may differ
• Conversational examples of how to verbally have the discussion about boundaries with family and close friends

Whether you are new to setting boundaries or have been doing this for years, we hope that this podcast affirms you and gives you courage as you define what healthy boundaries are for your family!

Natalie specializes in reproductive mental health which includes peri-natal, post-partum, infertility, infant loss, paternal mental health, and the impact on couples. She has received specialized training in perinatal and post-partum mental health from Postpartum Support International, and was recently selected as the 2019 Outstanding Mental Health Counselor by the North Dakota Mental Health Counseling Association for my work with reproductive mental health. Her work as a child birth educator and her two children have sparked her passion of working with reproductive mental health!

To get connected with Natalie:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama)

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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 are ambassadors for March of Dimes and were featured in their "It's Not Fine" Campaign, a national commercial and print ad campaign aiming to improve awareness of the racial disparities as well as the maternal and infant mortality rates in the United States. Her sole mission in sharing her story is to ensure that no other NICU parent feels alone knows that they too can turn tragedy into triumph.

In this episode, Ebony shares about pregnancy after loss, her near death experience with preeclampsia and HELLP, her journey in the NICU with Reign and what it taught her, what she learned about advocating for not only her health and care but also Reign’s health and care, and an honest look into medically complex motherhood.

To connect with Ebony, you can find her on Instagram or by heading to her website!

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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We are officially at the end of Season 2! And for our closing episode, we wanted to share the episode we recorded with Parijat Deshpande back in March. (Doesn’t that seem like a year ago?!) Many NICU mamas are feeling especially triggered during this pandemic, and throughout this episode we talk about why that may be and how we can we process through these triggers.

We also wanted to share this episode in closing because Parijat is the keynote speaker of our November event THIS WEEKEND! If you are on the fence about registering and long to learn more about Parijat and her practice, this episode is a great episode to do just that.

For links to tickets, click here! 

From March, 2020:

Excessive hand washing, fear of germs, social distancing and isolation... sound familiar? It may be because there are some uncanny similarities between the recent COVID-19 regulations and NICU regulations. And because of these similarities, we wanted to bring awareness to the fact that this can all be very triggering for NICU mamas.

We are so honored to have high risk pregnancy specialist and trauma professional Parijat Desphande on the podcast to share about how our bodies and minds may be responding during this unprecedented time. This episode is packed with incredible amounts of insight and immense amounts of HOPE.

Parijat Deshpande is the leading high-risk pregnancy specialist, trauma professional, speaker and author who teaches women how to deactivate their stress response before, during and after a high-risk pregnancy so they can give their baby a strong start to life. Her unique approach has served hundreds of women to manage pregnancy complications and reclaim safety and trust in their bodies that they thought was eroded forever. Parijat is the author of bestselling book Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy. She is also the host of the popular podcast Delivering Miracles®, that discusses the real, raw side of family-building including infertility, loss, high-risk pregnancy, bed rest, prematurity and healing once baby comes home.

To get connected with Parijat Deshpande:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Delivering Miracles® Podcast | Healing Hearts Program

Parijat's Book, Pregnancy Brain - Available on Kindle and paperback on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. - https://parijatdeshpande.lpages.co/pregnancybrain/

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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It's not uncommon these days to see the word trigger laced throughout our social media feeds. And while PTSD is not often associated with new motherhood or NICU motherhood, it is very much a real reality that we are hoping to shed some light on today. (Hint: It is not as scary as it sounds!)

In this episode we have a conversation with the one and only Natalie Retier with Prairieland Counseling Services. We have had the opportunity to chat with her on on a few of our podcast episodes, and we are always so grateful for her empathetic and compassionate voice when talking about harder and weightier topics in motherhood.

Throughout the episode we cover:
• What are triggers and what can they look/feel like?
• What is the value of seeing a licensed and trusted provider and how to find one?
• How can we implement self-compassion vs shame when we experience a trigger?

No matter where you are in your healing journey, you are never alone. 

For the link to Postpartum International mentioned in the episode, head to: https://www.postpartum.net/

Natalie specializes in reproductive mental health which includes peri-natal, post-partum, infertility, infant loss, paternal mental health, and the impact on couples. She has received specialized training in perinatal and post-partum mental health from Postpartum Support International, and was recently selected as the 2019 Outstanding Mental Health Counselor by the North Dakota Mental Health Counseling Association for my work with reproductive mental health. Her work as a child birth educator and her two children have sparked her passion of working with reproductive mental health!

To get connected with Natalie:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama)

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On this week’s episode, we have the opportunity to sit down with Ashley, one of the co-founders of Dear NICU Mama, and the co-host of the Dear NICU Mama, podcast!

After a high-risk pregnancy, Ashley developed severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome resulting in a placental abruption. Her son Silas was born via an emergency c-section at 28 weeks and spent a total of 87 days in the NICU with one hospital transfer. In this episode, she shares about her high risk pregnancy, a heart diagnosis, the emergency delivery of Silas, and some of the wins and setbacks of his NICU stay.

We hope that this episode encourages any other high-risk NICU mamas that you are not alone!

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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This week’s podcast is an episode dedicated to announcing a VERY FUN announcement! 🥳 We are beyond excited to announce that on Saturday November 7th 2020 at 4PM CT, we will be hosting our very first ever virtual live event sponsored by Gate City Bank and designed specifically for current and past NICU mamas!

Over the past few months, our team has been dreaming up ways that we can create opportunities for NICU mamas around the world to connect with each other. And while we would love to meet together in person, we are thrilled to be able to offer “The Hope of Healing After NICU” event virtually! Featuring renowned high-risk pregnancy specialist, author, speaker, and NICU mama, Parijat Desphande as our keynote speaker, this special event will offer the opportunity to learn about trauma after the NICU, meet NICU mamas from around the world, and discover the hope of healing.

In this episode we cover event and registration details, what is included in the purchase of a ticket, and what a NICU mama attending can expect! To listen to the previous episode with Parijat mentioned in the episode, click here!

For tickets and more information, click here or head to www.dearnicumama.com/events! We’d love to have YOU join us! 💕

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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As we embark into the month of October, we wanted to be intentional to share a message of hope and healing for any weary mamas. And while we have done many episodes on mindfulness, we have not yet had the chance to do an episode about faith in the NICU. Which is why we are so honored to have had the opportunity to have an honest talk with Kayla Craig, founder of Liturgy for Parents!

For many NICU mamas of faith, the NICU experience can leave us with more questions than answers about prayer and about God. How do I pray when I can barely catch my breath? Is He with me in this season and in this pain?

On this episode we have the opportunity to hear about Kayla’s honest faith journey, and how her faith has grown and evolved after her daughter Lizzie fought for her life in the PICU and has existing medical complexities. We also chat about what it looks like to pray honest prayers and how reading liturgies can be a really great place to start when we do not have the words to pray.

We are so excited to have you tune into this episode with us, and to also hear the liturgy she wrote exclusively for NICU mamas.

Kayla Craigis a writer and podcast producer who believes in the power of story. She writes modern prayers for moms and dads at Liturgies for Parents and her book is forthcoming with Tyndale in 2021. Kayla co-founded and hosts Upside Down Podcast, a place for conversations on faith and justice. 

Kayla loves deep mugs of coffee, deeper belly laughs, and even deeper questions. She and her pastor-husband Jonny live in Iowa, where they’re raising four young kids who joined their family via birth and adoption. She has two fluffy dogs and spends too much time on Instagram.

Her most recent published essays are in This Is Motherhood: A Motherly Collection of Reflections + Practices and Rally: Litanies for the Lovers of Jesus and Justice.

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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Today’s episode is a real treat because it is PART TWO of Brandi’s motherhood journey! Part one was the story and miraculous life of Declan and also Brandi's diagnosis and recovery of colon cancer. Part two is all about the pregnancy, delivery, and NICU journey of her son Maddex! On Christmas morning, Brandi found out that she was pregnant with Maddex. Because of her surprise and early delivery with Declan, she had a cerclage placed and was monitored closely throughout her pregnancy.

Maddex made his entrance to the world at 27 weeks and weighed 2lbs 4oz at birth. His NICU stay was a total of 61 days with no major complications, however because he was born in the time of the pandemic, Brandi and her husband navigated the continual changes of hospital regulations and unknowns of the pandemic.

In this episode, Brandi shares about pregnancy after loss, processing through the trauma of the NICU, learning to forgive your body, and also what it was like navigating the NICU journey in the midst of a pandemic. We say it often, but pandemic NICU mamas are our heroes!

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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Three years after Ashley’s first son, Vinson, was born at 21 weeks gestation and passed away shortly afterward, she welcomed her second son, Kolin, at 25 weeks gestation via emergency c-section. Just days after his birth, Kolin was diagnosed with bilateral brain bleeds. During his stay he also developed hydrocephalus and required a shunt, not to mention the PVLs. Despite being told of all the things Kolin might never do, he defied the odds. After 183 days, Kolin was discharged and finally went home.

In this episode, Ashley shared vulnerably about her experience of navigating grief amidst a series of challenging hardships. She discusses managing countless appointments and assessments upon returning home, and sheds light on the journey of advocating for herself and Kolin as he grows. Despite the difficult path they've traveled, Ashley reflects on the beauty and healing of their story.

We hope Ashley and Kolin's story offers a beacon of hope to this sisterhood, reminding you that you're not alone and that there is goodness ahead.

To connect more with Ashley:

Instagram | Website

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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On this week’s episode, we have the honor of hearing Part 1 of Brandi’s motherhood journey and about the life of her son, Declan. Declan was born at 22 weeks 4 days gestation and because the hospital that Brandi delivered at did not consider viability until 24 weeks, no interventions were made.

She shares openly and honestly about the experience of losing her son, how she has grieved and healed, the importance of listening to your body, and how his life quite honestly saved her own. There are so many beautiful layers to her story which is why there will be two parts!

We hope this episode reminds any Angel mamas, that you are never ever alone.

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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For NICU mothers considering having more of their own children, it's not uncommon to wonder, "Will this all happen again?" "Is there anything I can do differently?" And while we do not have a crystal ball to predict the future, we can step away from our google searches and sit down with trusted medical professionals to ask the good and sometimes hard questions.

For this week's episode, we had the opportunity to have a conversation with high-risk pregnancy expert, Dr. Stefanie Gefroh Ellison, regarding high-risk pregnancy and pregnancy after NICU. Being a NICU mama herself, she responded to each question with equal parts empathy and equal parts sound medical wisdom. Her responses are meant to be used as a starting point of conversation to have with your OB or trusted physician!

In this episode we cover:

• What qualifies a pregnancy to be “high-risk”?
• If I had a NICU stay in a previous pregnancy, will it happen again?
• What questions can I ask my medical provider to better prepare as we grow our family?
• What role do statistics play in determining the journey of a future pregnancy?

We hope that this episode offers some wisdom and encouragement on all things regrading pregnancy after NICU. You are never alone, mama!

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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