Nicu Now Audio Support Series

Our NICU adolescents and teens sometimes find themselves trying to cope with a difficult medical diagnosis or a major life change. Dina O’Brien, a pediatric psychologist and NICU mom speaks from experience, on both sides, on how a parent can help their child.   In this episode, we chat about: Why did you pursue a career in pediatric psychology? What is the primary purpose of a pediatric psychologist? How did your background as a pediatric psychologist help or hinder your experience as a NICU mom with your fourth child? For parents, how do you know when your child may benefit from psychology and what are the things they might look for, or assess? How do you find a good pediatric psychologist? Some children don't exhibit effects of a NICU stay until they are well into their early adolescent years? How do you differentiate their challenges from NICU vs regular development? How would you define a successful outcome of a child who has undergone pediatric psychology? What's your best advice to a par

A NICU stay, and subsequent surgeries, can put extreme strain on a relationship. Scott and Kathryn Whitaker share why they sought out help from a licensed marriage counselor, their barriers to get there and how it changed their relationship.   In this episode, we chat about: What led them to the counseling door? What were some of their reservations about going to counseling? Strategies learned in counseling that benefited their marriage? How did they overcome the stigma of needing help? What's your best advice for a couple that’s reluctant to go to therapy?   Scott and Kathryn Whitaker, both Texas natives, are the parents of six children, college to elementary, and have been married 27 years. Kathryn is the author of Live Big, Love Bigger, an award-winning book. Scott is the director of stewardship and development for the Catholic Diocese of Austin. On social media, they each share their honest take on family life and marriage, all while eating BBQ, cheering on the Texas Aggies and hiking national

Our NICU babies grow up and sometimes find themselves struggling to manage stress, anxiety, depression or navigating a disorder. Dr. Mitnaul, a child psychiatrist, shares how a child or adolescent may benefit from some extra assistance navigating those challenges.   In this episode, we chat about: How did you get from a biology degree to a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist? What is a child psychiatrist? How is that different from a child psychologist? Often, parents of NICU babies don't uncover other challenges in their children until they enter a school environment, or go through puberty. What are some things they should look for that might need to be addressed by a child or adolescent psychiatrist? How can parents find a psychiatrist and what questions should they ask to ensure it's a good fit for their child? Sometimes there's a stigma when a child is seeing a psychiatrist. What myths do you want to bust on that? What types of encouragement and information can people find on your TikTo

Parents of NICU babies often find themselves struggling in relationships or facing difficult feelings. Licensed therapist Regina Boyd shares how to determine if, and when, therapy can help.   In this episode, we chat about: What does a therapist do / not do? What's the difference between a therapist and a licensed therapist? What are some signs you might benefit from seeing a therapist? How do you find a good therapist? The NICU often leaves parents with PTSD, anxiety, depression and unresolved grief, how can a therapist help? Should you do individual or couples therapy? If your spouse doesn't want to go, or is reluctant, how do you work through that? How often should you go? How do you know if therapy is hurting or helping your healing? How does someone deal with the stigma from friends or family that sometimes surrounds therapy? What's your best advice for someone considering therapy?   Regina Boyd is the Founder of Boyd Counseling Services, a mental health & coaching practice th

Traveling with a medically-complex child can be stressful, overwhelming and daunting. Christy Wilkens, a mom of six, including a special needs child, shares how her family has conquered plane trips overseas and domestically, as well as road trips with their children in tow.   In this episode, we chat about: When did you feel safe and secure enough to embark on travel with a special needs child? What things did you do, or specialists did you consult to make you feel that way? How do you balance safety for your child with the well-being of your family to travel? Airplane or car tips you use to make travel easier? For flying, what are things you communicate to the gate agent and flight attendants to ensure a smooth flight? What helped make your overseas trip with a special needs child a positive, less stressful experience? What are your must-have travel items? For those traveling this summer who see a family with a special needs child, is there anything they can do to encourage that family, or so

Your diagnosis doesn’t have to determine your outcome. As we conclude our four-part series on pre-eclampsia, Parijat Deshpande, a somatic trauma professional, shares how to heal from trauma.   In this episode, we chat about: What is a somatic trauma professional and what led you to that profession? How does your book, Pregnancy Brain, empower parents, especially those who are high-risk or find themselves in the NICU? If a woman finds herself in a high-risk pregnancy, is there anything she can do to minimize the trauma she may endure either during delivery, or post-birth? Why are you so passionate about serving the BIPOC community? You've said you want pregnant women to know they aren't at the mercy of statistics. Those statistics can often feel overwhelming and limiting to a NICU mom, particularly one who has been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. How can a mom process those emotions, address them and move forward in her pregnancy? If a woman suspects she has pre-eclampsia or is diagnosed with it, wha

As we continue our four-part series on pre-eclampsia, this couple’s story about infertility, guilt, grief and healing will touch you, particularly NICU dads who often feel unseen in their loss.   In this episode, we chat about: Was your pregnancy considered high-risk from the beginning? When were you given a preeclampsia diagnosis? What do you want people to know about your experience with preeclampsia? How do you honor the life of your baby? As a couple, what did you learn about your marriage through this experience? Steve, what message do you have for NICU dads who might find themselves in a similar situation? What's your best advice to a couple who has received a preeclampsia diagnosis or suffered infant loss?   Steve and Kelly Gurvis have been married for 24 years and have three sons: two living and one beautiful angel baby, Liam Anthony. They run their own businesses and stay active honoring Liam in every way possible. Steve and Kelly reside just outside of Chicago.   Resources mentioned:

As we continue our four-part series on pre-eclampsia, this mom’s story of fear, survival and resilience will both empower and encourage you.   In this episode, we chat about: Was your pregnancy considered high-risk from the beginning? When were you given a pre-eclampsia diagnosis? What was your relationship like with your OB/GYN and maternal fetal medicine doctor? What do you want people to know about your experience with pre-eclampsia? What were some of the challenges you experienced as a mom in the NICU? What about your baby, both in the NICU and beyond? What's your best advice to a woman diagnosed with pre-eclampsia?   Dana Adams is currently a Benefits Analyst for the University of California. After the birth of her daughter Kyra, she started a non-profit, 11Eleven45FortyFive. Its mission is to help NICU moms and dads handle any of their disability paperwork which includes but is not limited to calling the doctor’s offices while the parents are tending to the essentials.   Connect with Dana:

Pre-eclampsia affects more than 200,000 pregnancies every year, just in the US alone. Dr. David Berry, a maternal fetal medicine doctor, helps us kick off the first of a four-part series where we dive into the intricacies of this disease by sharing symptoms, signs and treatment options.   In this episode, we chat about: What is pre-eclampsia and how is it diagnosed? As a Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor, what percentage of your patients are affected by pre-eclampsia? How does that compare nationally? Why do we see more women of color, particularly black women, affected at a higher rate than others? In 2022 The New Yorker published a story about the rise of pre-eclampsia cases during and post-COVID. How much of that is due to better testing/diagnostics and how much is it really rising? And what does that mean for moms-to-be? What is HELLP syndrome? How difficult is it to accurately diagnose? What should women and their doctors be on the lookout for in the third trimester and after birth? What are the

It might look like child’s play, but child life specialists work with parents in hospitals and other settings to help children cope with the challenges of illness, hospitalization and disability.   In this episode, we chat about: What led her to pursue a career as a child life specialist? How do child life specialists serve babies and children in the hospital or in a specialized doctor's office? How do you gain confidence and speak up in rounds and with the care team? How can you support preemies during painful procedures? How can you integrate siblings into long hospitalizations? What are some of the activities or strategies a child life specialist might employ with a child and his/her family in the hospital? What inspired you to start Child Life on Call and what are some of the features and how can it help NICU parents? What's your best advice to a parent who has a child that's struggling with a procedure or pending surgery?   Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a

The truth is, home and career balance look different for every NICU family. Kelly Ferguson, NICU mom and business owner, shares her honest struggle about finding the right balance for her family in her particular season.   In this episode, we chat about: How and why did you start Kelly Wynne handbags? After you gave birth to your first daughter, how did you adjust to being a mom and running your own business? How did your second birth differ from your first? When you found yourself in the NICU, what priorities changed for you? What changed for you, professionally, after Faith's NICU stay and subsequent therapies? How did you decide what to keep and what to give up with your business and your personal life? What things, or people, helped you make that decision? What's your best advice to a parent who is trying to discern the best work/life balance for his/her family? Kelly Wynne Ferguson is a mom, entrepreneur and founder of Kelly Wynne, a lifestyle handbag brand that's been energizing women'

Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year, April 11-17, to bring attention and action in improving Black maternal health. Justina Kopp, mom to quadruplets and a NICU baby herself, shares how her experience led her to advocacy.   In this episode, we chat about: The moment she found out she was pregnant with quadruplets. Justina’s relationship with her OB/GYN. Her difficult relationship with her MFM doctor and how that made her feel. Her care in the NICU. How this experience changed how she approaches healthcare, particularly for herself. Her best advice to a woman of color who finds herself pregnant, with one baby or more.   Justina Kopp lives in the Twin Cities, Minn., with her husband, Matthew and their quadruplets. She is a 2013 graduate of the University of St. Thomas where she studied Catholic Studies and Biology. Currently, Justina is pursuing a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.   Justina’s essay: https://motheringspirit.com/202

Feeding your NICU baby can often be a challenge. April is Occupational Therapy month and pediatric OT Laurie Layne and I focus on how feeding therapy can be utilized and some of the challenges NICU parents may face.   In this episode, we chat about: For pediatrics, what exactly does an occupational therapist do and how does it differ from other pediatric therapies? When should a parent seek out occupational/feeding therapy? What are some things parents should look for in an occupational/feeding therapist? If you have a sensory seeker who has heavy oral input (puts everything in their mouth), what can you do? What's the most common feeding challenge with NICU babies/premature infants? How does a g-tube affect feeding therapy? Food texture and food aversion sometimes feels overwhelming, how can a parent combat the fear of feeling like it's never getting better?   Laurie Layne, OTR, received her B.S. in community health from Texas A&M University and her master of occupational therapy degree f

Birth can be many things: incredible, traumatic, beautiful, scary, empowering or all of them. Birth and postpartum nurse Lo Mansfield will talk about bringing intuition, grace and evidence into the birth experience.   In this episode, we chat about: Why nursing, specifically why labor and delivery? On your social media channels you talk about balancing intuition, grace + evidence. What do you mean by that? You sometimes mention the loss of your own mom while you were pregnant. Many of our NICU parents listening are experiencing grief as they mourn the loss of a "normal" delivery or baby. How did/do you work through that grief? What's the best way to communicate to your doctor and L&D nurses your desires for your baby's birth? If you are designated as high-risk prior to delivery, what are things that may change your delivery? Some moms may feel distant from their NICU baby due to separation at birth, is that normal? If so, what are your suggestions for working through that? What's the best th

Your baby knows your voice from the beginning! Dr. Jenny Koo, neonatologist and children’s author, shares why reading is important and her latest project, aimed at NICU siblings.   In this episode, we chat about: This is Dr. Koo's fourth children's book, but her first about the NICU. What prompted her to write the book? Where did she find the time to write a book as a doctor and new mom? What are some of the analogies she uses in the book to explain the complicated world of the NICU to younger children? Of all the medical specialities she could've chosen, why neonatology? How has motherhood changed her outlook on parenting and interacting with parents of NICU babies? We know that reading to young children is important, how can a parent utilize books in the NICU with his/her baby? What are some of your favorite children's authors and books for your own family?   Dr. Jenny Koo is a board-certified neonatologist affiliated with Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns in San Diego, CA.

Diet and nutrition are top priorities in helping your baby grow and thrive in the NICU. Registered dietitian Keli Hawthorne shares how you can play a pivotal role in your baby's daily nutrition.   In this episode, we chat about: Why did you choose to pursue a career in nutrition and dietetics, specifically neonatal/pediatric? What's the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian? Where can parents go for assistance and help? What are some questions a parent should ask their child's nutritionist/dietitian? What are the pros/cons of milk fortification in micropreemies or babies smaller than 1600kg? You led the effort in getting FDA approval for intravenous omega-3 fatty acid lipid emulsions, but what does that mean for the average NICU baby? Keli Hawthorne, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian and the Director for Clinical Research for the Department of Pediatrics at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to UT, Keli worked as a NICU dietitian and researcher for over 15 years.

It’s one thing to receive a diagnosis and a whole other to live it. NICU mom Katrina Moline shares how cerebral palsy has, and has not, affected their daily life.   In this episode, we chat about: What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)? For children/babies who have CP what are some of the symptoms, developmental challenges? When you learned of the diagnosis, what did you do? How has CP affected your daily family life? What has been the hardest adjustment? How have you grown in the last 13 years since Bryce was diagnosed? What's your favorite service that Hand to Hold offers parents and caregivers? What’s your best advice to a mom, dad or caregiver whose child has just received a CP diagnosis? Katrina Moline is the Hand to Hold Operations Director. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Texas State University. Katrina has been a part of the Hand to Hold family since 2009, receiving peer-to-peer mentoring after the birth of her son at 24 weeks and later serving as a peer mentor herself. She

No high risk pregnancy is the same. Dr. Summers joins me for a conversation about mitigating the risks, working with your OB/GYN and questions to ask.   In this episode, we chat about: What defines a high-risk pregnancy and what places a woman in that category? If you have some of those risks, what should you look for in an OB/GYN to give you proper care and attention? What are some things women can do to mitigate the risks of a high-risk pregnancy? When should a women consider meds, therapy (or both) during or after a high-risk pregnancy? What are the delivery options for pregnancies that are considered high-risk? How can a woman improve the communication between her regular OB and her maternal fetal medicine (MFM) doctor? What’s the best advice for a high-risk mama?   Dr. Jenny Summers is a Texan born and raised, who loves working with women throughout every stage in life in women’s health. She is a longhorn and a former child life specialist, who completed her medical school at UT Health Sc

As we celebrate American Heart Month, heart mama and two-time cancer survivor, Kasie Marek, speaks openly and honestly about what it’s like to have a son with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrom (HLHS). We have a beautiful discussion about the realities of caring for a child with a serious and rare heart condition. In this episode, we chat about: What is Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)? How does HLHS affect a family: emotionally, logistically and financially? What are the treatment options available for HLHS? What are the effects of a heart transplant on a family? What’s the best advice for a fellow heart mama? Kasie Marek is a medical mom trying to figure it all out, one day at a time. A two-time childhood cancer survivor who entered the “nurse" mom world after her first-born, Noah, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Now, she’s trying to navigate the everyday life of medical to-do lists, while still being a MOM, WIFE, and prioritizing self-care. Connect with Kasie: Instagram:

It’s a new era in the podcast and new host Kathryn Whitaker shares what listeners (and YouTube fans!) can expect this year. In this episode, Kathryn chats about: Her background and why this podcast means so much to her heart. Why the new format (audio and video)? What are some topics and guests listeners can expect this year? Why don’t more NICUs have Dr Pepper on tap? (ha!) Kathryn Whitaker is the author of Live Big, Love Bigger, an award-winning book about living an intentional life and how her NICU baby helped her get there. She's a sixth-generation Texan who loves queso, cowboy boots and southern hospitality. On social media and her blog, Kathryn shares her honest take on family life and living in the chaos, all while drinking Dr Pepper and cheering on the Texas A&M Aggies. She has appeared in USA Today, radio and TV stations around the country and is a frequent guest/sometimes host on SiriusXM Radio. Kathryn and her husband, Scott, live with their six children in Austin, Texas. Connect with Kathryn