Nicu Now Audio Support Series

Guest: Lauren Aboulafia Lauren is a writer, actor, director, and animator. Lauren most recently animated and directed an animated comedy-drama called “Super Scar”, based on her own traumatic birth experience and NICU story. Hear more about Lauren's story, and what motivated her to create Super Scar, an animated comedy-drama about a new moms' support group where Lauren, an aspiring superstar, describes her experience of giving birth 3 months early, and her struggle to stay sane amidst the madness of the NICU. 

Guest: Anissa Scholes In this episode: Anissa discusses her pregnancy with Elisabeth and finding out she has Trisomy 18 What is Trisomy 18, and what are the typical symptoms? What was it like at home for a baby with Trisomy 18? How grief is a singular experience Why it’s important to believe the griever Grieving a child when you have other children at home   Content Warning: This episode may cover sensitive topics that may bring up emotions or take you back to some difficult memories. If at any time it becomes too much, please make sure to step away, take some deep breaths, go outside, or have some quiet time alone. -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org F

Guest: Catherine Tate, bereaved parent and Hand to Hold Peer Mentor In this episode: Catherine discusses the experience of losing her first child and having a high-risk pregnancy with her second. She discusses her NICU experience and how that affected her emotionally. What are PPD symptoms?  How can you seek help if you realize you’re having these symptoms? How does a NICU stay make moms more susceptible to PPD? -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Guest: Rhiannon Giles In this episode: Rhiannon discusses her preeclampsia and how that led to the premature birth of her son She describes her NICU experience and how that led to her postpartum depression diagnosis How is someone diagnosed with postpartum depression? Rhiannon gives advice to NICU medical professionals how to speak to women who exhibit symptoms of postpartum depression -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Guest: Kathryn Whitaker, author and NICU mom In this episode: Kathryn discusses her son Luke’s premature birth and diagnosis with NEC How Kathryn found her way to Hand to Hold Luke’s feeding journey and feeding therapy How to handle your preemie’s medical journey, when much of it is out of your control How Kathryn used her NICU journey to write her book, Live Big, Love Bigger -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Guest: Keira Sorrells Keira talks about her infertility issues and experience getting pregnant with quintuplets, then reducing the pregnancy to triplets Keira talks about the birth of her daughters, Avery, Lily and Zoe, and her experience in the NICU Keira discusses the journey grief after losing Zoe and still having Avery and Lily at home How the loss of a child affects marriages differently What led Keira to found the Zoe Rose Foundation How grief changes over time and how to process that change What is the difference between shame and guilt? Content Warning: This episode may cover sensitive topics that may bring up emotions or take you back to some difficult memories. If at any time it becomes too much, please make sure to step away, take some deep breaths, go outside, or have some quiet time alone. -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational

Guest: Lee Cordon of Do Say Give Lee discusses her diagnosis of PPROM and the premature birth of two of her daughters. How she handled bringing home NICU babies with other children at home Intentional motherhood The importance of reading, especially to preemies How to set a routine that works for your family A note on breastfeeding -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Guest: Shifra Mehl Shifra describes her own experience with postpartum depression She discusses how this experience led her to begin Eim Leah What Eim Leah does to support new moms The importance of self-care for new moms Self-care techniques   -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Guest: Becca Van Tassel, LCSW Why Becca decided to specialize in grief and loss in her career as a counselor Why is processing the pain of grief so difficult? The difference between depression and grief What can couples do in order to move through the grief process together? How can parents help their children process grief? How can we memorialize those we have lost? How to deal with the guilt associated with grief Content Warning: This episode may cover sensitive topics that may bring up emotions or take you back to some difficult memories. If at any time it becomes too much, please make sure to step away, take some deep breaths, go outside, or have some quiet time alone. -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in Englis

Guest: Mia Durairaj, MSc, NICU mom and founder of Mindful Return Mia discusses her own NICU experience The emotions surrounding going back to work How to be transparent at work and in the NICU Importance of practicing self-care How the NICU trains you to be an advocate and leader After we recorded this interview, we received news that Mia’s daughter lost her battle with congestive heart failure and passed away at just two years, seven months. Mia’s family has set up an endowment fund in their daughter’s name to support research at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California. Click here to visit the endowment fund. -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtoho

In this episode: Guest: Dawn Yu Renwick, NICU Nurse, Author/ Illustrator of "Dog Coats What are the benefits of reading aloud in the NICU for your baby? How does reading aloud to your baby in the NICU benefit you as a parent? As a NICU parent, how do I overcome the intimidation of reading aloud in the NICU? Purchase your copy of Dog Coats on Amazon here. More information about read-aloud in NICUs at babieswithbooks.org -  The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Hand to Hold’s Occupational Therapy Intern, Eliana Cutler, sits down with Kelli to discuss what an occupational therapist (OT) does, and what the role of an occupational therapist is in the NICU. Eliana also shares tips on how to integrate therapy into play with your baby.  Eliana is an occupational therapy student and doctoral candidate at Midwestern University’s College of Health Sciences - The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Our guest, Amber, sits down with Kelli to share her experience of being diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Amber discusses how she advocated for herself and her unborn twin girls throughout the treatment of TTTS. Amber also shares more about her family's experience in the NICU, and how her girls are doing today.  Introduction of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome by Dr. Moise. Dr. Moise is a Fetal Medicine Specialist and is also the Co-Director at the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center at Dell Children’s in Austin, Texas.  - The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHan

Our guest, Dr. Kenneth Moise, sits down with Kelli to discuss what a fetal medicine specialist does, what conditions they treat, and what parents can expect while in the care of a fetal medicine specialist. Dr. Moise is a Fetal Medicine Specialist and is also the Co-Director at the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center at Dell Children’s in Austin, Texas.  - The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Kelli welcomes guest, Lexi Losch, MA, LPC, NCC, discuss why maternal mental health matters, and the difference between “baby blues” and PPD. Lexi shares the symptoms of PPD, who is most likely to experience PPD, and the importance of addressing your physical needs as a new mom. In addition, Kelli and Lexi share resources for anyone who may be struggling.  - The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Katrina discusses her preterm birth with her son, Bryce, and how the NICU can precipitate anxiety. Katrina also shares how her experience of bringing home a medically fragile baby impacted her anxiety, and which resources she found most helpful throughout her journey.  - The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold

Nakeenya Wilson, of Black Mamas ATX, discusses her own traumatic birth experience and how that led to PTSD and PPD. She talks about how she got involved with Black Mamas ATX and the services the nonprofit offers. She also discusses the statistics surrounding black mothers and PPD.  - The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.  Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold:  facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold  

The majority of self-care content out there seems to rely on having extra time and energy in your life (bubble baths and pedicures anyone?) The reality is those most in need of self-care typically have neither time nor energy to spare. How do we shift the self-care paradigm away from the idea of "treating yourself" and into the reality of learning to survive (and even thrive) in a season where everything seems to be falling apart? KC Davis is a licensed professional therapist, author, speaker, and the person behind the mental health platform Struggle Care. KC’s compassionate and practical approach to self and home care for those dealing with mental health, physical illness, and hard seasons of life has drawn over a million followers on social media in less than a year. Her book, “How to Keep House While Drowning'' has sold over 27,000 copies and is currently an Amazon bestseller. This episode was recorded live at our 2021 NICU Community Conference.  Visit handtohold.org/conference to learn more or register fo

Every baby’s NICU journey is unique. As a parent, even if you have experienced the NICU with one baby, a NICU journey with another baby is far from predictable.  In this episode, we welcome Myra, a mother of three. Myra and her husband Allan adopted three babies, two of which had NICU stays. To further add to the complexity, both of the NICUs were out of state. Myra’s total NICU journey for both babies was 46 days. 

Sue Ludwig OTR/L, CNT shares more about her book Tiny Humans, Big Lessons: How the NICU Taught Me to Live With Energy, Intention, and Purpose. Through real patient stories, reflection, and practical tools, Ludwig reveals how, by following the lead of those in her care, she found her way to a more vibrant, purposeful, and impactful life than she ever imagined possible―and how you can, too.