Beyond the NICU: Recent Episodes
Hand to Hold
Hand to Hold's Beyond the NICU is dedicated to the family’s journey after a NICU stay. The journey doesn’t always end when you go home. Premature birth impacts families well beyond the NICU. From therapies to feeding challenges to doctors’ appointments and managing the rest of your life, having a NICU grad at home can be overwhelming. This podcast is designed as a means of support and reminder that you’re not alone, wherever you are in your NICU journey.
Nakeenya 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.
Catherine discusses the experience of losing her first child and having a high-risk pregnancy with her second. She talks about her NICU experience and how that affected her emotionally. She also discusses the PPD symptoms she experienced and how she sought help.
Kelli and Dr. Gonzalez discuss what RSV is and how to recognize its symptoms. They also talk about when to seek medical attention.
Shifra describes her own experience with postpartum depression. She discusses how this experience led her to begin Eim Leah and talks about what the organization offers to new moms.
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.
Kelli and Lexi discuss why maternal mental health is an issue we need to pay attention to and how becoming a mother is a transition that deserves care and consideration. What are the symptoms of PPD and where do you go if you need help with those symptoms?
Jessica discusses spending two weeks in the NICU after her newborn's TMI. She speaks about her eventual diagnosis of PTSD and what she did to seek help. She also speaks about her emotional response to COVID-19 and the recurrence of anxiety.
Sarah speaks about her NICU journey with her daughter and how it led her to write Early. She also discussed her response to COVID-19 as a NICU parent.
Kelli and Lexi discuss the emotions most commonly experienced in the NICU and wow to process them in a healthy way. They also talk about PPD and its symptoms, and how the COVID-19 crisis can bring many of these emotions back to the forefront.
Mia discusses her own NICU experience and her emotions when she eventually went back to work. She talks about how to be transparent at work and in the NICU and the importance of self-care. She also discusses how the NICU trains you to be an advocate and leader.
Kathryn discusses her son’s premature birth and diagnosis with NEC. She talks about her son's feeding journey after leaving the NICU and how she turned her story into a book, Live Big, Love Bigger.
What is RSV? What are its symptoms and when should you take your child to the hospital? Can RSV be prevented?
Lee discusses her diagnosis of PPROM and the premature birth of two of her daughters. She discusses how she handled bringing home her premature babies while having other children at home. She describes what she's coined as intentional motherhood and the importance of reading to NICU grads.
Katrina talks to Kelli about her preterm birth with her son, Bryce. They discuss how the NICU can precipitate anxiety and how bringing home a medically fragile child can induce anxiety.