Dear NICU Mama

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 @inclusioninkTo get connected with DNM:Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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

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

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

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