Dear NICU Mama

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 | InstagramKayleigh 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 | TikTokThis 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.

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

On today’s episode of the Dear NICU Mama podcast we have the very special privilege to talk with NICU mama and NICU nurse, Kerrie! Kerrie’s daughter Kate was born prematurely at 25 weeks gestation due to an abruption and fetal distress. She spent three months in the NICU before coming home to meet her brother and sisters, and she is now three and thriving!Kerrie has been a registered nurse for over 15 years working mostly in a hospital setting caring for the adult population. Her NICU journey gave her a whole new respect for being a patient and the feelings of helplessness experienced while in the hospital, and was the motivation for her to become a NICU nurse. Kerrie has been a NICU nurse for over two years and has had the privilege to work alongside the very team that saved her daughter's life. She is currently working toward becoming a Nurse Practitioner with a dream of focusing on developmental growth and early intervention for our vulnerable NICU babies!Throughout this episode, Kerrie talks about the unique experience she has to provide care as a NICU nurse, encouragement for NICU mamas that are building trust with their baby’s medical team, and the importance of valuing your mental health both in and out of the NICU.To get connected with DNM:Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

April is C-Section Awareness Month! And this week’s podcast episode Part 2 of a special roundtable episode all about c-sections with co-hosts Ashley and Aisha, and team members Lindsay + Kristen! Throughout this episode they each share more about their healing journey post delivery both emotionally and physically, and what they wish others knew about c-sections.We hope these episodes have been validating and hope-filled for the c-section mamas in our sisterhood, and that you would be reminded that healing is a lifelong journey. We honor you and your remarkable birth story!To listen to part 1, head here. For the episode transcription, head here. (Please note that it is computer generated and not perfect!)To get connected with DNM:Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

April is C-Section Awareness Month! And this week’s podcast episode is a special roundtable episode all about c-sections with co-hosts Ashley and Aisha, and team members Lindsay + Kristen! Throughout this episode they each share openly about their own c-section deliveries, what they knew about c-sections prior to their deliveries, and how they have processed their birth plan not going to plan. The best part? This is only part 1 meaning we get to hear part 2 next week!We hope any c-section NICU mamas feel validated and seen throughout this episode, and that you are reminded that your body did not fail.For the episode transcription, head here. (Please note that it is computer generated and not perfect!)To get connected with DNM:Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! The topic of developmental milestones, and when and if our NICU grads reach those milestones, can be a very tender subject. On one hand, we are so PROUD of the milestones our children are reaching, and on the other, we can feel exhausted by the amount of charts and graphs that are continually tracking and telling us where our kids should be. This duality of emotion inspired Ashley to write and create the “Right On Time” poem and merchandise collection, and we thought it would be beautiful to hear stories from mamas of this sisterhood of when their NICU miracles were right on time.This episode’s prompt was, “Tell us a story that your NICU miracle was right on time.”It was an honor to share responses from this community, and know that this sisterhood celebrates ALL of the milestones your miracles are reaching. You are not alone!To listen, you can find us on iTunes or Spotify, Google, or by clicking the link below!For the episode transcription, head here. (Please note that it is computer generated and not perfect!)

This week’s podcast episode is a replay episode from season 6 of the Dear NICU Mama podcast! For the NICU mamas in our sisterhood who find themselves splitting time between their children at home and children in the NICU, we hope you feel seen and heard by this episode.Use code “nicumama” for 50% off Katie’s How to prepare, support and respond to your child during shots course! Find the episode transcription here.-------This week, we have the privilege of speaking with Katie Taylor from Child Life On Call! One of the most commonly asked questions in our support forum is how to not only balance being a mom to kids at home and in the NICU, but also how to include their older kids with their new sibling’s NICU journey in a way that feels safe and easy to comprehend. And we couldn’t think of a better guests to talk about this today than Katie!In this episode we cover:What are some ways we can talk to our kids about their sibling being in the NICU without scaring or overwhelming them?What encouragement would you offer families that are struggling with splitting time between their kids at home and their child in the NICU?What are ways that parents can encourage and establish a bond between siblings while in the NICU?When possible, how can families prepare their older children to visit their new sibling in the NICU?How can they introduce the new baby into the family at home and reassure their older children of all the new changes, especially if their new sibling requires ongoing medical attention or care?We hope this conversation affirms that NICU mama, you are the best mother to ALL of your children, and your love is and will always be more than enough. 💕To get connected with Katie:Website | Instagram | Facebook | Child Life On Call PodcastTo get connected with DNM:Website | Private Facebook Group | InstagramThis 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.

On this week's podcast episode, we have part two of team member Carolissa’s journey with her daughter Elizabeth! Elizabeth was born at 31 weeks and had a 56 day NICU stay. Throughout this episode, Carolissa shares openly about what it was like to split time in the NICU with Elizabeth and time with her older daughter Sophia at home, and what it was like to transition to life as a family of four at home.To any other NICU mamas listening who split time with their baby(ies) in the NICU and older kiddos at home, we hope you are reminded that you and your love are enough. You are never alone!To listen to the podcast episode with Child Life On Call mentioned in this episode, head here! Head here for the episode transcription.The Dear NICU Mama Podcast is made possible by the generosity of this community. To give to the mission and movement of Dear NICU Mama, head to: dearnicumama.com/give!

On this week's podcast episode, we have part one of team member Carolissa’s journey with her daughter Elizabeth! Elizabeth was born at 31 weeks and had a 56 day NICU stay. Throughout this episode, Carolissa shares vulnerably about the rollercoaster of a ride her motherhood journey has been, including experiencing secondary infertility and the emotions that arise when things don’t go the way we hoped they would.Our hope is that as you listen to this episode, you are reminded how powerful your mother’s intuition is and that you and your steadfast love are more than enough!Read Carolissa’s DNM letter here! Head here for the episode transcription.To get connected with DNM:Website | Private Facebook Group | InstagramThe Dear NICU Mama Podcast is made possible by the generosity of this community. To give to the mission and movement of Dear NICU Mama, head to: dearnicumama.com/give!