Dear NICU Mama

In this week’s episode, we’re honored to welcome Andrea Hickson—two-time NICU mom and founder of NICU Alumni. Andrea shares the emotional and unexpected journeys of welcoming her daughters Lucy and Felicity, both born prematurely and with unique NICU experiences. From emergency C-sections and hospital stays to navigating life at home with early intervention and a later cerebral palsy diagnosis, Andrea vulnerably opens up about what it means to parent in the unknown. She also shares how her personal journey inspired the creation of NICU Alumni, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families after NICU discharge with resources, guidance, and hope. Whether you’re still in the NICU or navigating life at home, this conversation is a powerful reminder that you're not alone—and that healing and advocacy often go hand in hand. As always, welcome to the sisterhood! To get connect with NICU Alumni: Website [https://www.nicualumni.org/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nicu_alumni/] | Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/3GCr027oIWd0X0mka0g8yf] To get connected with DNM: Website [http://www.dearnicumama.com/] | Private Facebook Group [http://ww.facebook.com/groups/286008085639339] | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/dearnicumama/] To Give to the Mission of Dear NICU Mama: dearnicumama.com/give [https://www.dearnicumama.com/give] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama]

In this week’s episode, Brianna shares her experience as a two-time NICU mom. She shares about her first pregnancy, marked by an unexpected 20-week anatomy scan that revealed she was already two centimeters dilated. After an emergency cerclage and weeks of anxiety-filled bedrest, Brianna gave birth to her son at 28 weeks. His 60-day NICU stay, though miraculously smooth, left a lasting emotional impact. Just 14 months later, Brianna returned to the NICU after giving birth to her second son at 33 weeks. This time, the challenges of healing were compounded by the reality of having a baby at home while navigating the NICU once again. Brianna shares vulnerably what it’s like to walk through two high-risk pregnancies, how her perspective shifted between them, and what healing looks like after back-to-back trauma. Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of fear and uncertainty, you are stronger than you think—and you are never alone. To get connected with DNM: Website [http://www.dearnicumama.com/] | Private Facebook Group [http://ww.facebook.com/groups/286008085639339] | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/dearnicumama/] To Give to the Mission of Dear NICU Mama: dearnicumama.com/give [https://www.dearnicumama.com/give] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama]

In this episode of the Dear NICU Mama podcast, we're joined once again by the remarkable Kayleigh Summers, also known as The Birth Trauma Mama [https://thebirthtraumamama.com/], for a heartfelt conversation about how friendships shift in the wake of birth trauma and NICU experiences. Together, Ashley, Aisha, and Kayleigh open up about the grief of changing relationships, the identity shifts that happen after trauma, and the surprising ways connection can still be found. From feeling misunderstood to discovering unexpected community, this episode offers validation, insight, and encouragement for any NICU or loss mom navigating friendships during their healing journey. Whether you’re in the thick of it or years removed, this conversation reminds us: you are allowed to change, and you are worthy of being loved exactly as you are! Kayleigh Summers is a licensed therapist, writer, and content expert in perinatal trauma. She uses her training as a licensed therapist and her lived experience as an Amniotic Fluid Embolism survivor to support families experiencing perinatal trauma. Kayleigh has also created thriving support communities through Instagram and Tik Tok, as well as her podcast, where she provides connection, story sharing, and resources to support those experiencing birth and other trauma. You can find her @thebirthtrauma_mama. To get connected with Kayleigh: Website [https://thebirthtraumamama.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thebirthtrauma_mama/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebirthtrauma_mama?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] 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. To get connected with DNM: Website [http://www.dearnicumama.com/] | Private Facebook Group [http://ww.facebook.com/groups/286008085639339] | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/dearnicumama/] To Give to the Mission of Dear NICU Mama: dearnicumama.com/give [https://www.dearnicumama.com/give] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama]

In this week’s episode, we continue part 2 of Sam’s remarkable motherhood journey as she opens up about the emotional and physical toll of life after a traumatic birth and the journey of becoming a NICU and medical mama. Sam shares vulnerably about her daughter’s fragile start after being born at 24 weeks, the devastating reality of an MDR E-Coli diagnosis at just five days old, and the long road to recovery in the NICU—including respiratory setbacks, feeding challenges, and two unexpected surgeries. She also offers insight into navigating life after discharge with a G-tube, and how she's embraced her role as a medical mama with courage and resilience. Whether you’re in the NICU now or adjusting to life at home, Sam’s story is a powerful reminder that you are not alone—and that you are braver than you feel. Her honesty, wisdom, and strength will leave you feeling seen, validated, and supported. To listen to part 1, listen here [/podcast/sam-part-1]! To get connected with DNM: Website [http://www.dearnicumama.com/] | Private Facebook Group [http://ww.facebook.com/groups/286008085639339] | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/dearnicumama/] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama]

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Sarah Hogan, a courageous NICU mom and military spouse, whose story embodies the truth that the NICU is a marathon, not a sprint. Sarah shares her high-risk pregnancy and the traumatic sequence of events that led to her daughter Sadie’s premature birth at 28 weeks—beginning with a seizure while driving with her sons and her husband deployed on a submarine. Sarah vulnerably walks us through the emotional weight of parenting two young boys during a months-long NICU stay, navigating a four-hour daily commute, and adapting to life after Sadie’s multiple surgeries, including a G-tube placement. From delayed bonding to the strength of community and the complexity of military family life, Sarah’s journey is one of healing and hope. As you listen, we hope you feel reminded that even in the chaos and constant adaptation of the NICU journey, you are not alone—and it’s okay if your story looks different than you expected. To listen, you can find us on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-nicu-mama/id1472457962] , Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/68pMxYTuNliqcPBgoVZx35], or by clicking the link below! To get connected with DNM: Website [http://www.dearnicumama.com/] | Private Facebook Group [http://ww.facebook.com/groups/286008085639339] | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/dearnicumama/] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama]