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.

Support the show