As a NICU parent, one of the most difficult pieces of the journey is the physical separation that parents have to endure initially and each day that follows. Every time parents walk out of those NICU doors to go home without their baby is devastating. Parents are left sitting at home wondering if their baby is awake, or are they restless, did they gain weight, did they take their full bottle, or were they able to keep their ng tube out? The company AngelEye Health has developed state-of-the art ...
Nov 11, 2022•38 min
There are many terms and acronyms commonly used in neonatology that most people are not familiar with. Even medical clinicians who are not familiar with the NICU, are unlikely to know about UACs or UVCs. And most NICU parents probably did not know that you can access a newborn’s venous and/or arterial system through their umbilicus until the providers explained the procedure to them. For our 40th podcast episode, we reviewed some of those common NICU acronyms, but specifically the different veno...
Oct 31, 2022•30 min
It is likely that you’ve heard about a child who has had RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus from a friend, a family member, or perhaps you’ve even had your own personal experience with it. But, you may not realize how common it actually is! Did you know that almost all children get RSV at least once before they are two years old. For healthy children, it is likely to present just like a typical cold or virus, but for some children, they become very ill with RSV. Due to certain infants being mor...
Oct 14, 2022•29 min
For this podcast, I continued my conversation with Jessica Wolff. We discussed what their life was like once they brought Lily home. She explains how they adjusted to caring for Lily with her tracheostomy along with the necessary life-saving equipment and how all of that completely changed once COVID hit. We discussed how the plan for Lily’s decannulation went completely sideways, how they coped with it, and how they learned that Lily actually needed a full laryngotracheal reconstructive surgery...
Sep 30, 2022•37 min
For our most recent podcast episode, I sat down with Jessica Wolff, a mother who has endured loss and 2 very different NICU journeys. For part one of this podcast, she shares personal details on her very complicated twin pregnancy and the difficult choices they had to make along the way. She reflects back on regrets both she and her husband, Pat have experienced as well as what helped them cope through their daughter, Lily’s 256-day NICU stay. Jessica explains what helped them make the decision ...
Sep 15, 2022•36 min
Infants in the NICU are patients that require specialized care with unique clinical considerations. Specific recommendations must be considered for all systems of NICU patients and the skin is not any different. Infants who are being cared for in the NICU, especially those that were born premature have an increased risk for skin trauma. On this episode, we review some of the skin care guidelines and recommendations available for clinical practice of NICU patients. As NICU clinicians, is is impor...
Sep 01, 2022•30 min
Infants in the NICU are patients that require specialized care with unique clinical considerations. Specific recommendations must be considered for all systems of NICU patients and the skin is not any different. Infants who are being cared for in the NICU, especially those that were born premature have an increased risk for skin trauma. On this episode, we review some of the skin care guidelines and recommendations available for clinical practice of NICU patients. As NICU clinicians, is is impor...
Aug 18, 2022•37 min
Our skin is an incredibly important, multifunctional organ. It has many different functions including helping us maintain our body temperature, it assists with the excretion of water and toxins, and most importantly, protective mechanism of acting as a barrier. But in newborns, especially preterm infants, there are developmental differences in the anatomy and physiology of their skin that place them at an increased risk for skin injury. Not only is the immaturity of an infant’s skin problematic,...
Aug 04, 2022•34 min
For our 33rd podcast episode, I review the recommendations for screening and managing hyperbilirubinemia. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends universal screening of bilirubin levels in newborns, so I review how that can be done, when it should occur, and when it should be repeated. We discuss which infants are more at risk for elevated bilirubin levels and how those risk factors contribute to guidelines for the treatment plan. I discuss the nomograms commonly used and recommended by th...
Jul 21, 2022•38 min
It is likely that you have heard the terms jaundiced and/or bilirubin. And although it is very common for infants to develop elevated bilirubin levels otherwise known as hyperbilirubinemia, do you actually know or understand why? As a NICU provider, I think it is essential that parents know the condition their infant is facing, but it is also important to understand the why behind its occurrence. If you do not understand the why, the treatment plan will also not make very much sense to you. I be...
Jul 07, 2022•27 min
For this podcast episode, I was very honored to be joined by Ms. Mary Coughlin. Mary is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, but also a published author of several pieces of work. She is well-known in the neonatal world for her development of the core measures for developmentally supportive care, but most recently with her published work and creation of the trauma-informed professional certification program as well as additional programs, workshops and masterclasses through Caring Essentials Collabora...
Jul 05, 2022•43 min
For this podcast episode, we review some recent research studies that not only show the importance of frequent skin-to-skin care, but how it correlates with a more synchronous relationship between the infant and parents, promotes parental attachment, involvement, and breast milk production! You will hear many of the ways skin-to-skin care positively affects the infant and the parents. The practice of kangaroo care between an infant and their parent results in this beautiful, virtuous, positive c...
May 23, 2022•34 min
For our 29th Podcast episode and to close out HIE Awareness month, I sat down with Brigid Janousek. She bravely shares the story of her son William's traumatic delivery and his subsequent treatment with therapeutic hypothermia due to his diagnosis of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy or HIE. Infants with HIE have experienced a lack of oxygen to the brain either prior to birth, during the birth process, after birth, or during childhood. Infants with suspected HIE are treated in the NICU with therap...
Apr 30, 2022•42 min
If you are a NICU Parent who either currently has a baby in the NICU, or a NICU graduate, this episode is for you! I recently presented at a NICU Leadership conference and spoke on the parental stressors common to NICU Parents and the trauma and PTSD often associated with it. I decided to share some portions of my speech with you due to its’ relevance to all NICU families. I want all NICU Parents to know that you are not alone and your feelings are common. By minimizing your experience or underp...
Apr 19, 2022•25 min
If your baby is currently in the NICU, and you are doubting the importance of your role as a parent, this podcast episode is for you! I hope as NICU parents you have been educated on the importance of your involvement with your baby - even while they are in the NICU! Parental engagement in the NICU has a plethora of benefits and not just for your baby, but for you as parents as well! Although as a NICU parent, you may feel completely powerless, you need to remember that you play a major role in ...
Mar 29, 2022•37 min
Have you ever heard the term infant mental health? On this podcast episode, we discuss how you, as a parent or caregiver of an infant, can positively shape and support a baby’s early social and emotional skills so they are able to build long-lasting connections in the future! You will not want to miss this episode if you are a NICU parent or member of the NICU care team - it is one of my favorite episodes we’ve done so far! On today’s podcast, I am joined by Katie Ross, a Certified Neonatal Occu...
Mar 10, 2022•33 min
Did you know that not only is it okay to read to your NICU baby, but that it is strongly recommended? In our 25th Podcast episode, I review all of the benefits of reading to your baby while they are in the NICU as well as tips for success! In the first few months of an infant’s life, their language and speech areas grow exponentially in their brain. But, for our babies in the NICU, many of them not only miss out on months of intrauterine language exposure that promotes normal development, but th...
Jan 29, 2022•21 min
If you are getting ready to bring your baby home from the NICU or you have a child who has complex medical needs, this episode is for you! Being a parent is difficult, but when you have a sick child or one that requires extensive medical care, therapies, and appointments, it can dramatically change your life and that of your family. Today we continue to spotlight some of the difficulties, stresses, and struggles of parents who have children with complex medical needs. We discuss the importance o...
Jan 02, 2022•41 min
For NICU Parents, the day they are able to bring their baby home is unforgettable. Many parents have spent weeks and months traveling to the NICU to see their baby and have endured a large amount of stress, worry, and concern each day as they watched their baby fight against so many obstacles. So when parents hear that they are able to take their baby home, they are so thrilled that many underestimate the challenges they will face at home. For many NICU babies, their complex medical journey does...
Dec 18, 2021•38 min
Our NICU Journal called Our NICU Roadmap has officially been published! My vision for this journal stemmed from the lack of a comprehensive NICU journal available when our son was in the NICU. I wanted to develop a journal that not only was a great resource for parents, but also served as a place for you as parents to document your baby’s progress each day while in the NICU. As a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, I had the medical knowledge and experience on my side during our son’s NICU journey, so ...
Nov 25, 2021•32 min
Are you suffering from trauma after your baby or babies spent time in the NICU? Have you brushed off symptoms of trauma or PTSD? How could you suffer from PTSD when your baby only spent a few days in the NICU? Trauma is the result from an upsetting experience. That is it. It results from any experience that is disturbing and overwhelms your ability to cope. There is not a definitive scope that defines trauma. I used to minimize my trauma after my stressful pregnancy, our son’s emergent delivery,...
Oct 01, 2021•49 min
If you are a NICU parent and in the midst of your baby’s NICU journey, you must listen to this episode. This episode features great advice, tips, suggestions, and encouragement from former NICU Moms that you must hear! Although the tips are mostly from mothers of multiples, any NICU parent will benefit from what they have to share! Whether you are a seasoned NICU parent or brand new in your journey, you will want to listen to what those that have gone before you have to share! I believe we can a...
Sep 11, 2021•34 min
What does IDM stand for? In the medical world, IDM is an acronym for Infant of Diabetic Mother. In this episode, we review the common complications associated with Infants of Diabetic Mothers. You may be surprised to hear that there are several complications beyond hypoglycemia or low blood sugars including but not limited to macrosomia, asphyxia, small for gestational age, respiratory distress, cardiac anomalies, neurological impairments, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypocalcemia, and hypo...
Aug 21, 2021•33 min
Who is at risk for gestational diabetes? How is it diagnosed? If I have gestational diabetes, how will it affect my pregnancy and my baby? What is the best way to manage my blood sugars? Will my baby be more likely to have diabetes in the future? How will it affect future pregnancies moving forward? We answer these questions plus so much more in this podcast! We start by discussing diabetes mellitus and compare the different types. We review the pathophysiology of diabetes in a way that will mak...
Aug 06, 2021•25 min
If you are a current or former NICU parent, you will want to listen to this episode. There are so many pieces of information you receive as a NICU parent while your baby is in the NICU and it continues once you bring your baby home. Tune in to hear great recommendations on how to best advocate and help your child while they are in the NICU and especially once they are home to optimize their neurodevelopmental outcomes! For our 17th podcast episode, I continued my discussion with Tracey Kondrasuk...
Jul 23, 2021•31 min
Our 16th podcast episode focuses on the positive neonatal neurodevelopment outcomes that occur when there is close collaboration and team work with the NICU care team and therapy services. The podcast features, Tracey Kondrasuk-Brander, a certified neonatal and early intervention occupational therapist. She explains the all-important role of the occupational therapist in the NICU and why it is so crucial for premature and critically ill infants to receive therapy while they are in the NICU as we...
Jul 08, 2021•32 min
In our episode, we continue our discussion on kangaroo care by addressing some of the common barriers to kangaroo care and why it may not always be encouraged sooner. We review ways to minimize some of the common obstacles NICUs encounter that may prevent daily kangaroo care for parents. We discuss the assessment for readiness of the infant, parents, and unit for daily skin-to-skin care followed by a review of common limiting factors that may prevent an infant from being able to do kangaroo care...
Jun 28, 2021•35 min
Kangaroo care has numerous benefits for the baby and parents! Skin-to-skin care is now a modern day practice in the obstetrics and NICU world. Learn how it was first put into place out of pure necessity and why the practice is so strongly encouraged today. If you are either a NICU parent or a member of the NICU care team, you will hear the many benefits kangaroo care provides babies, especially the preterm population as well as its ability to promote engagement and attachment with parents. Kanga...
Jun 11, 2021•30 min
Tune in to hear a continuation of my conversation with Anese Barnett, a perinatal mental health therapist. You will benefit from listening if you are a NICU mother who has experienced or is currently experiencing the stress and associated trauma of having a baby in the NICU. Or if you are a NICU dad, grandparent, or friend to a NICU Mom and need some tangible advice to help her pause and address her own self care. Members of the NICU care team specifically nurses, NNPs, Neonatologists, and socia...
May 28, 2021•41 min
In this podcast, we focus on identifying ways to support maternal mental health for NICU Mamas. As May is Maternal Mental Health Month, I sat down with Anese Barnett, a perinatal mental health therapist and clinical psychology doctoral student who is passionate about improving the mental health of all mothers during a high risk pregnancy and/or for those who have a baby in the NICU. We discuss NICU trauma with the unnatural maternal-child separation and many of the common feelings of shame and g...
May 14, 2021•38 min
