Dear NICU Mama

In this week's podcast episode we're revisiting a beautiful roundtable conversation from season 8  for an honest discussion about mental health after the NICU with Dear NICU Mama volunteers, Kamille and Lexxa.

Together, they share vulnerably about their own experiences with postpartum depression, anxiety, PTSD, therapy, medication, and the lifelong healing that follows a traumatic birth and NICU stay. They reflect on what it looked like to ask for help, navigate motherhood after trauma, support their mental health through different seasons, and find hope in community along the way.

Whether you are fresh in your NICU journey or years beyond it, we hope this conversation reminds you that healing is lifelong. You are not alone and asking for support is one of the bravest things you can do.

No matter where you find yourself today, we hope this episode serves as a gentle reminder that you are worthy of healing, worthy of care, and deeply loved. This sisterhood heals with you!

For the PSI Help Line, head here. For the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, dial 988 or head here.

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In this week's podcast episode, Katie shares the remarkable story of her daughter Annie's early arrival and the incredible full circle moments woven throughout their NICU journey. At 25 weeks pregnant, Katie was unexpectedly diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and hospitalized before delivering Annie at 28 weeks. As a former 28-week preemie herself, Katie suddenly found herself walking the halls of the very same NICU where she had once been a patient.

Katie opens up about navigating the uncertainty of a high-risk pregnancy, recovering from an unexpected C-section, and supporting her daughter through her NICU stay. She also shares the often-overlooked challenges of coming home after discharge, processing the trauma of the NICU, and learning that healing continues long after leaving the hospital.

One of the most unforgettable parts of Katie's story is reconnecting with the respiratory therapist who cared for her more than 30 years ago, only to have him care for Annie before his retirement. It is a beautiful reminder of the lasting impact NICU healthcare professionals have on families and the unexpected ways hope can come full circle.

Whether you are in the NICU today or years beyond your stay, we hope this conversation reminds you that even in the hardest seasons, moments of hope, healing, and redemption can find you when you least expect them.

To get connected with DNM:

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It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! Our call-in episodes are some of our favorites because they give us the chance to hear directly from YOU.

This month’s prompt was: “What words of hope or encouragement would you offer to a NICU mom who feels like it’s all too much right now?”

In this episode, mamas from across the country share heartfelt reminders of hope, resilience, and the power of community in the midst of a NICU journey. From taking things one breath at a time to holding onto the promise that brighter days are ahead, these stories offer encouragement for any NICU mom who feels overwhelmed, exhausted, or uncertain about what comes next.

We are so grateful to the mamas in our sisterhood who shared their hearts and wisdom with us, and we'd love to hear your heart!

Our next prompt is: “What does it mean to you to be a Walking Letter of Hope to another NICU mom?” To call in and share your heart, head to our submission form here!

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In this week's episode, we're welcoming back Mary Farrelly, founder of The NICU Translator and NICU Doula Academy.

Since her first appearance on the podcast, Mary has turned a dream into a growing movement. As a Level IV NICU nurse and professionally trained doula, she is passionate about helping families experience more support, more advocacy, and less trauma throughout their NICU journey.

In this conversation, Mary shares what a NICU doula is, how this unique role supports families both in and beyond the NICU, and why collaboration between doulas and medical teams matters. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at NICU Doula Academy and the work being done to train and equip more professionals to walk alongside NICU families during some of their most vulnerable moments.

Whether you're a NICU parent looking for support or someone interested in serving NICU families, this episode is full of insight, encouragement, and hope.

As you listen, we hope you're reminded that you deserve compassionate support throughout your NICU journey. You are not alone!

To get connected with Mary:

The NICU Translator | The NICU Doula

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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In this week’s podcast episode, Katonya shares the incredible story of her son Kareem and the unimaginable journey that led her into motherhood. At just 22 weeks and 6 days pregnant, Katonya unexpectedly went into labor and delivered Kareem alone at home before emergency responders arrived. She opens up about those terrifying moments, the shock of becoming a NICU mom in an instant, and the emotions of watching her son fight for his life.

Katonya shares what it was like to navigate Kareem’s 180-day NICU stay, the many medical hurdles he faced as a micropreemie, and the incredible NICU staff who helped carry their family through some of their darkest days. She also reflects on coming home as a medical mom, learning to navigate life after discharge, and how her perspective has evolved throughout the eight years since Kareem’s birth.

Today, Katonya is the founder of Konnected Thru 22, a nonprofit supporting NICU families through connection, resources, and hope.

Whether you are in the NICU today or years beyond your stay, this conversation is a beautiful reminder to take life day by day and trust that you do not have to carry this journey alone!

To get connected with Katonya:
Website | Instagram | Podcast | Book

To get connected with DNM:

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It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! Our call-in episodes are some of our favorites because they give us the chance to hear directly from YOU.

This month’s prompt was: “Tell us about a moment when you felt unexpected courage.”

From emergency deliveries and NICU stays to the challenges of bringing babies home, this episode is filled with powerful reminders that courage often shows up in the moments we never expected to face. As one mama beautifully shared, sometimes courage looks like simply doing the next thing when you don't have a choice.

We are so grateful to the mamas in our sisterhood who shared their hearts and stories with us. Your vulnerability is a gift!

Our next prompt is: “What words of hope or encouragement would you offer to a NICU mom who feels like it's all too much right now?” To call in and share your heart, head to our form here. We'd love to hear from you!

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

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In this episode, Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel join us to share their motherhood journeys, their experiences navigating NICU trauma and loss, and the heart behind their new resource for NICU families, “Your NICU Story”.

Mahaley vulnerably shares the story of her daughter, Sachi, who passed away in the NICU after an HIE diagnosis. Together, Emily and Mahaley reflect on the complexities of grief, healing after trauma, supporting marriages through loss and trauma, and the importance of giving yourself permission to heal slowly and gently.

This conversation is full of tender encouragement for NICU moms in every season. From celebrating “little wins,” to caring for your basic needs, to finding support that meets you exactly where you are. As you listen, we hope you feel seen, validated, and reminded that you are never alone in your story!

Head here to purchase your copy of “Your NICU Story”!

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

About Mahaley:
Mahaley Patel, LMFT, PMH-C is a licensed therapist specializing in perinatal mental health.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA and a Master’s degree from Pepperdine University. Mahaley brings a deeply compassionate, client-centered approach to her work, supporting individuals and families as they navigate pregnancy, postpartum, loss, and the complex emotional landscape of parenthood. In addition to her clinical practice, she serves on the bereaved parent advisory board at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and facilitates a child-loss support group for grieving parents.

Mahaley’s work is shaped not only by her clinical training, but by her lived experience as a bereaved mother. After losing her daughter, Saachi, she became passionate about helping bereaved parents. She is the co-author of Your NICU Story, a guided reflection journal for families navigating the NICU, and her work centers on helping parents feel less alone in moments that can feel isolating and overwhelming. Outside of her professional life, Mahaley is a wife, a mother of four, and married to actor and filmmaker Ravi Patel - which means her days are an ever-evolving mix of therapy, motherhood, and managing Ravi’s creative chaos.

Connect with Mahaley: Instagram | Website

About Emily:
Emily lives with her family in Maryland. She is a licensed therapist specializing in perinatal mental health who enjoys supporting neurodivergent families. With BA and MA degrees in sociology from University of Maryland, Baltimore County and an MSW from University of Maryland School of Social Work, Emily has written multiple books, including Your NICU Story (co-authored with Mahaley Patel); Birth Story Brave, Reimagined; and Birth Story Held for Loss and believes in the healing properties of doing story work in therapy and in life. Emily has presented twice at the annual conference of Postpartum Support International, and has offered training for Postpartum Support - Washington.

Connect with Emily: Instagram | Website | Birth Story Brave, Reimagined | Birth Story Held for Loss

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.

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In this week’s podcast episode, Emma shares the story of her son Grady’s unexpected NICU journey after experiencing a rare neonatal stroke at birth. What began as a healthy, full-term pregnancy quickly turned into a series of medical emergencies, including respiratory distress, seizures, an emergency transfer to Massachusetts General Hospital, and the discovery of multiple blood clots in Grady’s brain.

Emma vulnerably reflects on the fear, uncertainty, and trauma of navigating the NICU as a first-time mom while also sharing the hope, resilience, and compassion that carried their family through. As May is Stroke Awareness Month, we are especially honored to share Grady’s story and help raise awareness about neonatal stroke and its lasting impact on families.

As you listen to Emma’s story, we hope that NICU moms navigating unexpected diagnoses or medical trauma feel seen, supported, and reminded that they are never alone!

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

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It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! Our call-in episodes are some of our favorites because they give us the chance to hear directly from YOU.

This month’s prompt was: “What words of hope would you offer to another NICU mama this Mother’s Day?”

From reminders that your feelings are valid, to encouragement that you are already an incredible mother right now, this episode is filled with the words so many of us NICU mamas need to hear heading into such a tender holiday. We also hold space for the complicated emotions that can come with Mother’s Day. The grief, the joy, the healing, the longing, the celebration—all of it belongs here.

Thank you to each of you who submitted reflections and voice memos for this episode. It is such a gift to hear your hearts and to remind one another that no NICU mama walks this journey alone!

Our next prompt is: “Tell us about a moment when you felt unexpected courage." To call in and share your heart, head to our form here. We’d love to hear from you!

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

This week’s episode is sponsored by Sanford Health! Through their focus on providing world-class care, Sanford is helping ensure that even the smallest and most medically fragile babies receive the care they need, while also supporting the families beside them. Thank you, Sanford Health, for helping ensure that no NICU family walks this journey alone. We are grateful for your partnership!

To get connected with Sanford Health:
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In this week’s episode, Latoya shares her motherhood story of welcoming her daughter Skylar at 28 weeks and navigating a long and complex NICU journey. She opens up about the challenges they faced during Skylar’s 10-month NICU stay, the joy of bringing her home, and the deep love that defined their time together.

Latoya vulnerably shares about the devastating loss of Skylar at 18 months old following a medical complication, and what it has looked like to navigate grief, trauma, and healing in the years since. She reflects on the ways she continues to feel connected to Skylar, the tools that have supported her healing journey, and how she has learned to carry both grief and love side by side.

Latoya also shares about founding The Skylar Project, an organization created in honor of Skylar’s life that now supports NICU families with resources, care, and community.

As you listen to Latoya’s story, we hope that any bereaved NICU mama feels seen, supported, and reminded that your baby’s life matters deeply. We honor you and your babies this Bereaved Mother’s Day.

To get connected with The Skylar Project:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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