Initially, many Dads struggle to come to terms with what is happening in the NICU, and are not quite sure what they are required to do to help their partner, their baby, or themselves.

This episode discusses some of the roles that I found to be really important during the early phases of our Journey, in and out of the NICU.

There are so many awesome organisations that provided information packs for new parents in the NICU to help you along your way, including:

- PANDA - Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia - https://www.panda.org.au/
- Life's Little Treasures Foundation - https://lifeslittletreasures.org.au/
- Miracle Babies Foundation - https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/

I had visited a friend that had twins in the NICU many years ago, but didn't think much of it at the time as I thought that I would never find myself in this situation. 

As soon as my NICU journey started, I instantly wished I knew a lot more about it all.  

This episode will discuss 10 things that I wish I knew at the start of my NICU adventure. 

It is not an exhaustive list, as there are many more things that I wish I knew, but this is a pretty good start that might help you on your journey! 

The first few days in the NICU are absolutely critical for your baby, and also for you.  

The first few days will seem like they go on for ever, and you will struggle to process everything that is happening.  You will feel like your whole world has stopped, and all your attention is now purely focused on your new little addition.

There are so many things to get your head around now that you are a NICU Dad, and you will feel so confused, scared, helpless, sad and anxious.

All of these feelings and emotions are completely normal, as the situation you now find yourself in is not 'normal'.

This episode will discuss what worked for me, and what i should have done differently to help me navigate the first few days. 

Early on, the most difficult part of my NICU journey was having to go home alone. This was either going home alone whilst my wife was still admitted to hospital pre and post birth, but also when we had to go home and leave our little premature baby in the NICU each and every day, for 98 days straight!

I went through some pretty dark moments while at home by my self, and thought of things that I have never had to think of before, and never want to think about again. 

I didn't quite know how to deal with the mental anguish I was facing. 

I discuss the lead in to, and my first of 98 days inside the NICU with my new daughter.

My wife and I were destined for IVF after failing to fall pregnant for well over a year.  We started all of the IVF testing, and we were able to identify what was stopping us from falling pregnant. 

Just before we were about to commence the first round, we fell pregnant!  But as it would play out, our special little girl wanted to make up for all of that lost time!

Our daughter arrived at 25+5 weeks, and was on life support in the NICU for the first 6 days. This place felt so foreign to me, and I was quite scared to be in here.  I was so worried that my daughter would not survive, and I had no idea what I was supposed to do. 

My wife and I were certainly not expecting to be in the NICU, let alone at 25 weeks gestation!  But this was our path now, and we had to walk it together!

A snapshot into the life and times of a Dad with a Premature baby or sick baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).   We will discuss what Dad's go through mentally and emotionally with their little preemy/premmie delight!