Life After NICU: Managing Anxiety, Trauma, and Hypervigilance after Neonatal Care S4E64

In this episode, Lorna Tallowin, NICU parent and founder of Super Dinky, turns the questions back to me, inviting me to share my own NICU journey.We talk about my pregnancy, delivering unexpectedly at 31 weeks, and what the early weeks in neonatal intensive care were like. We also explore survival mode, dissociation, ongoing anxiety, and the identity shift that comes with being a NICU parent.Lorna and I discuss why community, validation, and psychological support are so important for parents after NICU, and the gaps that still exist in care.In this episode, we talk about:My premature birth at 31 weeks and early NICU experiencesSurvival mode, dissociation, and emotional overwhelmOngoing anxiety, hypervigilance, and health-related worry after NICUGuilt, grief, and the pressure to “make it up” to your childThe importance of community and validation for NICU parentsHow Miracle Moon began and grew from lived experienceResources & links mentioned in this episode:The NICU Space CommunityAn online support space for NICU parents at all stages of their journey. Inside you’ll find specialist resources, coping tools and connection with parents who understand what this experience can feel like.The NICU Parent HandbookA new resource I’ve created to help parents make sense of the thoughts and feelings that often follow neonatal care. It explores common experiences like guilt, grief, hypervigilance and anxiety, alongside practical tools to help parents cope. Coming soon. Super DinkyFounded by Lorna, NICU Mum and Beth NICU nurse, @superdinky creates meaningful products for NICU families while raising awareness of the experience and helping parents feel part of a wider community. SuperDinky - Premature Baby Clothes and NICU support based in the UKStay ConnectedInstagram: @miraclemoonukWebsite: miraclemoon.co.ukThe NICU Space community: The NICU SpaceOne last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

Before we mention today’s guest – a quick update about The NICU Space Podcast. Today’s episode wraps up season 3, and we’re going to be taking a short break over Christmas and early 2026. We hope that you and your family also manage a restful time over Christmas, whatever that looks like for you.Today’s guest, Ola, is the founder of the charity “Colourful Beginnings”, which she created after having two premature babies in NICU. The charity does so much good work to support other NICU parents, primarily around sending out “treasure boxes” of things the parents can keep and know that they are being thought of.She joins us to talk through her experiences in NICU, how the charity got started and the work that they do to help others going through the same.In this episode, we’re chatting about:- Ola’s experiences of having her first child at 23 weeks and her second at 29 weeks- The disbelief and shock she went through on learning she was pregnant for a second time- What led to her creating the charity, Colourful Beginnings- The Colourful Beginnings treasure boxes and how the charity works to support other NICU parents💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and don't forget to tag us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you're tuning in.⭐️ Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode.

Kate’s son Frank battled group B strep meningitis at just 3 days old, which led to him being diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Kate shares with us her hospital experience, her fears that his conditions would limit his life, and how she accepted and came to terms with the life her family now lives.Frank is a happy, giggly child and Kate is a wonderful influence for parents going through similar experiences to hers, you can follow her now “@overatkates”.In this episode, we’re chatting about:- The events that followed after Kate’s son, Frank, contracted group B strep at 3 days old- What group B strep is and the aftermath of the infection- Coming to terms with her son’s diagnoses of cerebral palsy and epilepsy- Staying positive and how to move towards acceptance 💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and don't forget to tag us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you're tuning in.⭐️ Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode.

In today’s episode, we’re talking to three preemie parents about their NICU experiences and premature births – we discuss everything from preparing for a NICU stay, to the mental health impact afterwards, and even if there were any good parts of NICU. If you’ve got your own NICU story, we’re sure you’ll find similarities in our guests' experiences, and remind yourself that you’re not alone – help and support is out there.In this episode, we’re joined by:- Hanna, mum to 4 year old twin girls Ruby & Scarlet who were born at 27 weeks after a difficult pregnancy and spent 10 months in NICU and PICU- Sammy, mum to Niamh, born unexpectedly early at 31 weeks after a smooth pregnancy and spent 6 weeks in special care- Katy, mum to 3 year old Finley who had an expected NICU stay after he was born at 31 weeks due to a placental issue and spent 6 weeks in NICU across 2 hospitals💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and don't forget to tag us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you're tuning in.⭐️ Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode.

When she went into labour at 20 weeks pregnant, Audrey Williams Joseph was told that her baby would not survive. 30 years later, he’s living his life and was Audrey’s inspiration for creating the support that she never had in the 90s – six residential care homes for children and adults that have additional needs. Audrey is a true inspiration, and this episode will help you to redefine what you think of as winning, and celebrate the small moments that make up each day.In this episode, we’re chatting about:- Audrey’s son, who was born at 20 weeks and wasn’t expected to survive- The impact of being in limbo in NICU- Having faith to stay strong and overcome doctors’ predictions- How Audrey turned her experience into a mission to create care homes💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and don't forget to tag us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you're tuning in.⭐️ Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode.

Family Integrated Care is such an important thing for NICUs to implement – after all, it’s not just the baby in NICU that’s going through the experience. On today’s podcast episode, we’re hosting a round table discussion with parents and professionals alike to discuss what FICare is, how NICUs can improve how they offer it, and what the future holds for it. We’re joined by:- Emily, a Neonatal Consultant from Liverpool- Chessie, a Clinical Psychologist from Bristol- Colm, an Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner from Northern Ireland- And Sue, mum to Luke who was born at 30 weeks and spent two months in NICUWhether you know anything about FICare already or not, today’s episode is an important listen that shows how we can make improvements to include the whole family in neonatal care.💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and don't forget to tag us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you're tuning in.⭐️ Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode.🙏 A huge thank you to Emma at Cover My Bubble for supporting our podcast - you can find out more about all that Cover My Bubble offer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.covermybubble.co.uk

In this powerful episode, Aideen (@ivfmumblings) shares her honest story of infertility, IVF, NICU, and loss. After seven rounds of IVF, she became pregnant with twins, but at 30 weeks she went into premature labour, was put under general anaesthetic for an emergency section, and lost one of her babies to suspected NEC.Only four months later, she conceived naturally and found herself back in NICU at 36 weeks. Now pregnant again, Aideen opens up about how she’s advocating for herself this time, the importance of mental health support after NICU, and what she wishes she’d known then.In this episode, we’re chatting about:- Going through IVF – not just once, but seven times- Being pregnant with twins and then going into NICU- The unimaginable pain of losing a twin- Going through subsequent pregnancies (even natural ones) after baby loss- How to advocate for yourself in NICU and during pregnancy after loss💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and don't forget to tag us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you're tuning in.⭐️ Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode.🙏 A huge thank you to Emma at Cover My Bubble for supporting our podcast - you can find out more about all that Cover My Bubble offer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.covermybubble.co.uk

Today’s guest, Laura Gallagher, author of the children’s book “RoboBabies” experienced fertility difficulties and miscarriages. Laura’s first son was born via IVF, and went onto have multiple pregnancy losses. In this episode, Laura talks how she handled her son witnessing her going through this, and all the tricky emotions she faced, and why shame and embarrassment were two that she struggled with the most. We talk about healing, boundaries and how to cope when you feel like your body has failed. In this episode, we’re chatting about:- Handling the difficult emotions that come along with fertility difficulties- Whether to talk to your children about what you’re going through- What Laura tried in order to heal from her losses- Why gratitude is different to toxic positivity following hard experiences💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and don't forget to tag us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you're tuning in.⭐️ Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode.🙏 A huge thank you to Emma at Cover My Bubble for supporting our podcast - you can find out more about all that Cover My Bubble offer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.covermybubble.co.uk

If you’re struggling to handle the divide between NICU and your other children at home – know that you are definitely not alone.Today’s guest Enya had her toddler Saoirse at home while she was in NICU with her 28 weeker, Roisin, and she shares in today’s episode about how she handled feeling split between the two. Additionally, her health anxiety began to worsen after NICU as well, and we talk about how she manages that with all the medical follow ups that come after a stay in NICU.In this episode, we’re chatting about:- Enya’s belief that you should always listen to your gut and why that meant baby Roisin survived- The divide between a baby in NICU and a toddler at home and how Enya managed it- What having health anxiety is like and things that have helped Enya- Documenting the NICU experience, especially now that it’s “over” (though it never is!)- What support after NICU should look like though sadly doesn’t💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and don't forget to tag us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you're tuning in.⭐️ Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode.🙏 A huge thank you to Emma at Cover My Bubble for supporting our podcast - you can find out more about all that Cover My Bubble offer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.covermybubble.co.uk

Dr. Mara Tesler Stein is a fellow Clinical Psychologist with experience of being in NICU and a wealth of knowledge gained through research – so we knew that a conversation with her would be incredibly valuable. Not only does she have the personal experience of having twins at 30 weeks and spending 10 weeks in NICU, but she also offers EMDR training for perinatal specialists through her work as founder of The Touchstone Institute for Psychotherapy and Training. This episode is a must listen for any NICU parent who wants to understand how the experience has changed them, or who is worried about the impact of NICU on your attachment with your child. In this episode, we’re chatting about:- Mara’s story of having premature twins and how that led to her building on her experience as a Clinical Psychologist by training in EMDR- Common trauma and identity themes that come up for NICU parents- Why things that are labelled as problems bonding with your child probably aren’t, and what could actually be happening instead- How you can heal from trauma and overcome guilt and grief of lost experiences as a NICU parentFor any parent who’s been through NICU or is there now, this episode is sure to help you see a way forward, and know that you’re not alone.💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and don't forget to tag us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you're tuning in.⭐️ Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode.🙏 A huge thank you to Emma at Cover My Bubble for supporting our podcast - you can find out more about all that Cover My Bubble offer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.covermybubble.co.uk