Episodes
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In this week's episode, we are joined by Chrissy and Naomi from Courageous Parents Network (CPN), a nonprofit with a mission to orient and empower parents and others caring for children with serious illness by providing resources and tools that reflect the experience and perspective of families and clinicians. Together, we dive into the realities and misconceptions of pediatric palliative care.
Chrissy, a pediatric psychologist and Director of Clinician Engagement at CPN, clarifies the holistic role of palliative care, debunking myths that often equate it to hospice. She explains how palliative care can begin at diagnosis and supports the whole family emotionally and practically throughout the medical journey. Naomi, a life doula and grief coach, shares her personal journey with her son, Noah, who has faced significant medical challenges since birth. She discusses the invaluable support she received from CPN and how palliative care helped her reclaim her role as a mother, not just a caregiver.
This conversation offers a wealth of insights for NICU parents, covering topics like decision-making, self-advocacy, and the importance of family-centered support. We hope that this episode empowers you to seek out resources like palliative care and other support tools that can provide the guidance and compassion every NICU family deserves!
To connect with Courageous Parents’ Network resources:Facebook | Instagram | Website
To learn more from Naomi:
Videos | Blogs | Website
To get connected with DNM:Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
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In this episode, Makayla shares her journey of navigating the NICU as a single mom. She opens up about her pregnancy, her intuition that something unexpected was ahead, and the sudden complications that led to an early delivery and a challenging start for her daughter, Winona.
Makayla reflects on the emotional experience of seeing Winona in critical condition, the many moments of fear and hope, and the incredible resilience she witnessed as her daughter defied the odds. She also speaks candidly about the unique challenges and strength required to face the NICU journey without a partner, finding support through her family and Winona’s dedicated NICU team.
As you listen to Makayla’s story, we hope that other single NICU moms and those navigating medically complex journeys in our sisterhood feel seen and supported. You are seen and loved, NICU mama!
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | InstagramSupport the show
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Missing episodes?
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It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! This episode’s prompt was, "Share a moment, in or out of the NICU, where you experienced unexpected joy."
Thank you to each of you for submitting your stories of unexpected joy for this month’s prompt. It’s an honor to celebrate these moments with this sisterhood!
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this week’s podcast episode, Taylor shares her unique journey of becoming a NICU mom through adoption. She opens up about her and her husband’s decision to adopt, their struggles with infertility, and the emotional experience of meeting their daughter, Selah, who was born four weeks early and spent a month in the NICU. Taylor reflects on the challenges of navigating both adoption and the NICU experience, how they celebrate Selah’s milestones today, and what life at home looks like as a family of three!
As you listen to Taylor’s story, we hope that other adoptive NICU moms and families feel seen and supported. You belong here, NICU mama.
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, Mollie shares her motherhood story of carrying identical twin girls, navigating a high-risk pregnancy, and experiencing both the joy of motherhood and the heartbreak of loss. Mollie opens up about the unexpected challenges she faced as a NICU mom, from giving birth at 26 weeks to her daughter Veronica’s fight for survival in the NICU, and the devastating loss of her daughter Athena. She reflects on the emotional journey of healing, the complexities of navigating life after loss, and how she honors Athena’s memory while celebrating Veronica’s milestones today.
As you listen to Mollie’s story, we hope that any mom who has experienced loss or a NICU journey feels seen and understood. This #infantlossawarenessmonth, we honor you and your Angel babies, loss NICU mamas.
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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On this week’s podcast episode, we hear the story of Anne and her son August’s unexpected unexpected NICU journey. She shares vulnerably about the moments leading up to his delivery, the emotional rollercoaster of seeing her son in the NICU for the first time, and what it was like to navigate their NICU journey as a full-term NICU family. She also shares about life at home and how they celebrate his milestones today.
As you listen to Anne’s story, we hope that other full-term NICU moms in our sisterhood feel seen and validated. You are never ever alone!
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! This episode’s prompt was, “As a NICU parent, what were the moments during your NICU journey when you felt you needed the most courage? Or when do you believe you demonstrated the greatest courage?”
We're now accepting submissions for our October call-in episode: "Share a moment, in or out of the NICU, where you experienced unexpected joy." You can either call 701-404-7573 and leave a voicemail with your name, location, and response, or email your submission to [email protected], and our hosts will read it on the podcast! Submissions will then be reviewed and selected by our team until October 22nd.
Thank you to each of you for submitting your stories of courage for this month’s prompt. It’s an honor to celebrate and recognize the courage that lives in you!
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.
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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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What if indecisiveness is a result of our birth and NICU trauma? On today’s podcast episode, we have speaker and somatic trauma consultant Parijat Deshpande on the podcast and we have an insightful conversation all about indecisiveness how we can identify it as a signal rather than a problem to be fixed.
Throughout this episode we talk about:
• The different types of “threat state patterns” and a quiz to identify them
• How identifying our threat patterns can help us move through indecisiveness
• Gentle practices a NICU mom can utilize to make decisions and not feel “stuck”
• Encouragement for NICU mamas feeling discouraged by their lack of ability to make quick decisions after birth and NICU trauma
Our hope is that NICU mamas listening who are feeling discouraged by feeling like they are in a state of indecisiveness feel empowered and encouraged throughout this episode. You are not alone!
For the month of July, members of the Dear NICU Mama community have access to The Ruvelle Experience for 25% off using the code “RUVELLEDNM2024”!
To connect with Parijat and her work at Ruvelle: Website | Instagram
About Parijat:
Parijat Deshpande is a founder of Ruvelle, the only truly trauma-informed company specifically dedicated to improving high-risk pregnancy outcomes, reducing preterm birth, and supporting parents on the entire high-risk pregnancy journey. On a mission to end the high-risk pregnancy crisis, she has served and supported thousands of clients through her live events, one-on-one work, Ruvelle’s private members’ club, her bestselling book, Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy, and the Body Language Journal.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week is part 2 of Trisha’s motherhood journey! Throughout this episode, Trisha shares about the early days at home with her twins, what it was like being pregnant after a high-risk pregnancy and NICU journey, and her daughter’s diagnosis with Down Syndrome. She also shares openly about the journey to becoming the advocate she is today, encouragement for medically complex families who are navigating summers without routine, and what lead her to launch Inclusion Ink!
To connect with Trisha and her work at Inclusion Ink: Website | Instagram
About Trisha Stibbe:
Trisha Stibbe was born and raised in Fargo. After marrying her high school sweetheart they moved to Omaha, NE where they spent the next decade. Finally back in their hometown, Trisha and her husband Adam are raising four kids with big personalities. Twins Sam and Jack were born in 2010 at 28 weeks, thrusting Trisha and her husband into the world of special needs parenting. A few years later, in 2012, Adam and Trisha welcomed son Eli. Not content with stopping when things seemed easy, they welcomed daughter Claire into their family in 2015. Claire was a surprise for many reasons, but the biggest of all came at her birth when they were told she had Down Syndrome and a heart defect. Trisha recently launched Inclusion, Ink - an information portal dedicated to making advocating easier. She spends most of her “free time” advocating for special needs and inclusion, going to various and plentiful doctors appointments, acting on the Board of Managers of GiGi’s Playhouses, and meeting her caffeine limit by about 9:00 a.m. every day. She deals with her crazy life best with sarcasm and has found a creative outlet through her blog. You can follow her on Instagram @tstibbe and @inclusionink
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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On this week’s episode, we talk with Trisha Stibbe and hear the story of her identical twins, Sam + Jack who were born at 28 weeks! Trisha shares about her journey navigating twin to twin transfusion, an early delivery, and advocating for her twins in the NICU. She also opens up about isolation, how friendships shift and change, and the new identity that NICU moms often go through on top of navigating complicated NICU journeys.
We hope that as you listen to Trisha’s story, you see that regardless of all the changes that you experience because of the NICU, that the new version of you is worthy of getting to know. Stay tuned for part 2!
About Trisha Stibbe:
Trisha Stibbe was born and raised in Fargo. After marrying her high school sweetheart they moved to Omaha, NE where they spent the next decade. Finally back in their hometown, Trisha and her husband Adam are raising four kids with big personalities. Twins Sam and Jack were born in 2010 at 28 weeks, thrusting Trisha and her husband into the world of special needs parenting. A few years later, in 2012, Adam and Trisha welcomed son Eli. Not content with stopping when things seemed easy, they welcomed daughter Claire into their family in 2015. Claire was a surprise for many reasons, but the biggest of all came at her birth when they were told she had Down Syndrome and a heart defect. Trisha recently launched Inclusion, Ink - an information portal dedicated to making advocating easier. She spends most of her “free time” advocating for special needs and inclusion, going to various and plentiful doctors appointments, acting on the Board of Managers of GiGi’s Playhouses, and meeting her caffeine limit by about 9:00 a.m. every day. She deals with her crazy life best with sarcasm and has found a creative outlet through her blog. You can follow her on Instagram @tstibbe and @inclusionink
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! In honor of Father's Day soon approaching, we want to celebrate the NICU dads and partners in your life! We asked our community to share a time, inside or outside the NICU, when they felt deeply supported by their partner and/or when their partners showed remarkable courage as a NICU parent.
We also want to acknowledge that this topic may be sensitive for those whose partners were not present or available during their NICU stays. Please know that this community recognizes and honors the strength of your parenting journey.
To all of the NICU dads, know that we honor you this Father’s Day and appreciate you more than you know!
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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On this week's podcast episode, we have part one of team member Carrie’s journey with her daughter Hattie! Carrie is a full-term NICU mom to Hattie who spent 19 days in the NICU. Throughout Carrie’s pregnancy, Carrie worked alongside a doula and took hypnobirthing classes with the hope of having an all-natural birth. However once at the hospital, it was discovered that Hattie was breech and Carrie was leaking fluid, and an emergency c-section was ordered.
5 hours after Hattie was born, Hattie was transferred to the NICU for additional breathing support. After a handful of unsuccessful attempts at trialing room air in the NICU, Hattie’s care team ordered additional testing at 2 weeks old and she was diagnosed with a coarctation of the aorta, aortic and mitral valve stenosis, and left ventricular hypertrabeculation/ non-compaction.
For Hattie, this diagnosis means she is continually monitored by cardiology and will likely require a few repairs to her aortic arch to continue living a healthy life. Hattie turns 3 in July and despite her diagnosis is a thriving, active, and wildly fun toddler and big sister!
Our hope is that full-term NICU mamas in our sisterhood feel validated and are reminded that your story is significant and worthy of recognition. And to the NICU mothers who are wrestling with what their bodies could or couldn’t do in birth, we hope this episode reminds you that your body did not fail.
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month! And this week’s podcast episode is a special roundtable episode all about mental health with co-hosts Ashley and Aisha, and team members Lexxa + Kamille! Throughout this episode they each share vulnerably about their own mental health journeys both in and out of the NICU, and how they have continued to prioritize their mental health throughout each motherhood season.
We hope this episode is a gentle reminder that healing is a lifelong journey. No matter where you are on your mental health journey, we hope you know how loved and valuable you are. This sisterhood heals with you!
For the PSI Help Line, head here. For the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, dial 988 or head here.
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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It’s not uncommon for NICU mothers to experience a traumatic birth, and therefore also process the grief that comes after our births don’t go the way we had always dreamed. We wanted to have a conversation with an expert who specializes in healing after birth trauma, and we are honored to have Kayleigh Summers of The Birth Trauma Mama as our guest today!
In this episode we cover:
What is the definition of birth trauma?What does lifelong healing look like after birth trauma and where can we begin?We hope this conversation affirms that NICU mama, healing is lifelong. No matter where you are on your healing journey after a traumatic birth, know that this sisterhood and resources like The Birth Trauma Mama exist to support you along the way.
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Kayleigh Summers is a licensed therapist, writer, and content expert in perinatal trauma. She uses her training as a licensed therapist and her lived experience as an Amniotic Fluid Embolism survivor to support families experiencing perinatal trauma. Kayleigh has also created thriving support communities through Instagram and Tik Tok, as well as her podcast, where she provides connection, story sharing, and resources to support those experiencing birth and other trauma. You can find her @thebirthtrauma_mama.
To get connected with Kayleigh:
Website | Instagram | TikTok
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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Happy Mother’s Day, NICU mama! We know for many of us, holidays like Mother’s Day can be tender - especially if you are celebrating in the NICU. This week’s episode is a mini episode where co-hosts Aisha and Ashley and members of our sisterhood share how they celebrate and have celebrated Mother’s Day! We hope this episode is a reminder to celebrate in a way that honors your heat.
This episode’s prompt was, “Tell us how you celebrate Mother’s Day. Whether you celebrated your first Mother’s Day in the NICU or How you continue to celebrate at home we want to hear the ways you honor your journey!”
Know that we are honoring and celebrating you this Mother’s Day, NICU mama. You are deeply loved.
To subscribe to our "A Letter a Day" subscription through Mother's Day, head here!
To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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