Dear NICU Mama

 On today’s podcast episode, we have a seat around the table with DNM Podcast co-hosts, Martha and Ashley, as they share their personal journeys of returning to work after their NICU journeys!

Throughout this episode we hear their personal reflections on how they navigated the fears of sending their child to daycare, and how they knew that returning to work was the right decision for them and their family. They also share vulnerably about how they combat mom guilt, and what they do to cultivate intentional time for their family and for themselves.

We hope other working moms feel honored and validated. Whether you are returning to work by choice, or because of necessity, you are never alone!

To learn more about Every Tiny Thing mentioned in this episode, head here!

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

On today’s podcast episode, we have the honor of having a roundtable discussion with three remarkable stay-at-home moms! Kendra, Lexxa, and Sara share about their own personal journeys of becoming stay at home moms after their NICU journeys, and how they have navigated and embraced this new life transition.

Throughout this episode we hear their personal reflections on the challenges of leaving a career that they enjoyed, and how they found and continue to find their new identity as mothers. They also share vulnerably about the feelings of isolation that came along with parenting in a pandemic, and how they intentionally nurtured their own hearts in the process.

We hope other SAHMs feel seen, loved, recognized, and honored. Whether you are staying at home by choice, or because of necessity, you are never alone!

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

We have the honor and privilege of welcoming back Parijat Deshpande back to the Dear NICU mama Podcast! And today we are learning all about trauma in the body, specifically trauma in the body after we come home from the NICU.

In this episode we cover:

• What happens to the brain/body connection as a result of trauma? Why does this happen? 
• What are some ways trauma can show up in our bodies after a traumatic birth and/or NICU experience?
• Sometimes it feels our trauma is filtering our ability to connect with our loved ones and our baby…which then starts the shame cycle. Can you explain why this happens and what we can do to interrupt the cycle?
• Is there hope to reclaim “old parts” of our selves? Is it ever too late to fully heal and find safety in our bodies after trauma?

We hope this episode offers you gentle yet powerful reminders that you are not broken, your body is not against you, and that healing and hope after NICU is possible. You are never alone on this journey of lifelong healing! This sisterhood believes in you, and most importantly walks with you.

Parijat Deshpande is author, speaker, and the CEO of a global, boutique company dedicated to reducing pregnancy complications and ending preterm birth. They do this through concierge level private client services focused on trauma-informed, neurobiological approaches to reproductive health. Parijat and her team also offer trauma-sensitive professional trainings for providers and practitioners. They also partner with hospitals, clinics, and maternal health organization to add a missing piece to the puzzle of ending prematurity and improving pregnancy outcomes worldwide. 

Parijat is the author of bestselling book Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy. And she is the host of the popular podcast Delivering Miracles®️, that discusses the real, raw side of family-building including infertility, loss, high-risk pregnancy, bed rest, prematurity and healing once baby comes home.

To get connected with Parijat Deshpande:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Delivering Miracles® Podcast 

This 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.

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

This week’s podcast episode is part 2 of Kate’s NICU journey with her twin girls, Remmy and Reese! In part 1 Kate shared about the twins’ delivery and separation surgery, and in part 2 we hear more about the remainder of their NICU journeys and how they are thriving with their busy family at home.

To the medically complex NICU mamas in our sisterhood, we hope you feel seen and heard throughout this episode. Know that this sisterhood sees you and honors your unique motherhood journey.

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

This week, we have the honor of hearing part 1 of Kate's NICU story with her conjoined twins, Remy and Reese! Throughout this episode, Kate shares about her high-risk pregnancy journey, her first moments with the girls and their NICU journeys leading up to their separation surgery, and also what it was like to get to know her girls not only as twins but also as as two new individual girls after their surgery.

To any of our medically complex NICU mamas or mamas in our community who have experienced a high-risk pregnancy or an extensive NICU stay, we hope you feel heard and seen throughout this episode and that you marvel at how far both you and your miracle(s) have come.

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

On this week's episode, we have the honor of hearing from Martha and another Dear NICU Mama team member, Aisha, about their experiences with grief after infant loss. If you are not in the right space to hear stories of loss, it’s okay to honor your heart and save this episode for another time.

To the loss mamas in our community, we hope this podcast episode is a gentle reminder that you are not alone in your healing journey. This sisterhood is here to not only support you, but also to honor and celebrate the miraculous life of your Angel baby.

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | InstagramSupport the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

When we think of grief, we often think of grieving someone that has passed away. But what about when we grieve something we have lost, like an experience or the motherhood journey we always envisioned we would have? On this week's episode, we speak with Jessica Hotchkiss from Praireland Counseling Services about grief and its relation to NICU motherhood.

 In this episode we cover:

• Myths and truths about grief
• What healthy grieving looks like
• What NICU mothers might grieve
• Will grief always hurt and is there a timeline?
• How to move through grief without rushing the healing process

Our hope is that this episode affirms that no matter where you are in your healing journey, that your grief is valid and not too big. You are never ever alone!

Jessica Hotchkiss is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of North Dakota and a Certified Child Life Specialist. Specializing in death, grief, and bereavement, Jessica has 10 years of experience in both the hospital and outpatient settings providing support to children, adults and families. She also holds certification as a grief counselor conducting training and presentations at the local, national, and international levels. Jessica has created courses for master's and doctoral counseling students in the area of bereavement and is passionate about preparing individuals to work with grief and loss. Her research and expertise works to combat burnout, compassion fatigue, and death anxiety. She specializes in working with children and families living with chronic or terminal medical conditions or experiencing medical trauma.

To get connected with Jessica:
 Website | Instagram | Facebook

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

Welcome to season 5! We have missed connecting with you all here on the podcast, and we are so excited to be back. Throughout this episode, Martha and Ashley share about some of the upcoming episodes releasing in season 5, and they also share about Walking Letter of Hope Day which is happening on August 6th, 2022!

This signature event is designed to honor all of you—the Walking Letters of Hope for NICU mamas everywhere. Each of you, through your own unique experiences, are an incredible beacon of hope for women healing from their own individual journeys. This August, we celebrate you and shine a light on the hope you give.

You can participate in this event through three distinct avenues:

1. Wear your Walking Letter of Hope apparel from Dear NICU Mama on August 6th to raise awareness for the organization and the invaluable support this community provides.
   
   
2. Share your story with your network. Give mamas reason to have hope! Your testimonial is powerful and can be life-changing for those navigating the NICU.
   
   
3. Give to Dear NICU mama. Your donations are vital in moving this mission forward and creating a support network for families. You can donate as an individual, or make a fundraising team with family and friends!

Keep following along with us here for more updates as we move closer to the date! We are excited to partner with you and celebrate this growing sisterhood. Welcome to season 5!

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

This week, Martha and Ashley are wrapping up season 4 by reflecting and celebrating big recent milestones in DNM history! We will be back with brand new stories and specialist interviews in July, but in the meantime be sure to check out our social media pages and engage with our beautiful sisterhood.

If you are interested in supporting Dear NICU Mama as we continue to grow our outreach, programs, and services, you can support us by checking out our Walking Letter of Hope Collections in the Dear NICU Mama Shop, adding us on AmazonSmile, or by making direct donations via our website. We cannot express how thankful we are for this amazing sisterhood and are so excited to share more content and stories with you all in July!

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | InstagramSupport the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

This week, we are wrapping up Allison and Amos' journey in part 3! We hear about the weeks and months after Amos received his life-saving liver transplant, and how both he and Allison are thriving today. We hope any transplant mamas or mamas navigating complex medical diagnosis after NICU know that you are not alone.

To listen to part 1 of Allison + Amos' journey head here, and to listen to part 2 head here!

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show