The Incubator: Beyond The Beeps

#022 - What Happens When Nobody Tells You What to Expect in the NICU?

Victoria Varela-Hefty, director of programs at ICU Baby and mother of James, a 28-weeker born in 2024, shares her NICU journey with honesty and grace. From a high-risk pregnancy complicated by Sjögren's syndrome and preeclampsia to an emergency classical C-section, inadequate postoperative pain management, and a cardiac complication that kept her hospitalized for eight days — Victoria reflects on what it felt like to navigate her own medical crisis while her son was down the hall in the NICU. She speaks powerfully about what was missing: not heroic interventions, but simple things — someone acknowledging her feelings, preparing her for what was coming, and reminding her that asking for help was allowed. She also shares how James is thriving today, and what she would want every NICU family to know about the power of pausing. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1739595/support] As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

#021 - Fighting for Sight: ROP Awareness Week Special

In this special double episode of Beyond the Beeps, we're marking ROP Awareness Week with a full look at Retinopathy of Prematurity — from the medical side to the deeply human side. First, Dr. Faizah Bhatti walks us through what ROP is, its causes, risk factors, stages, and treatment options, while emphasizing why parental advocacy and regular follow-ups are so critical for premature infants. Then, Leah MG Jayanetti sits down with Tyronza Williams, who shares her emotional journey through the NICU with her daughter Alicia, born at just 23 weeks. Tyronza opens up about Alicia's ROP diagnosis, the treatments she underwent, and what it truly means to advocate for your child when everything feels uncertain. Together, these conversations capture both the science and the resilience behind one of the most common challenges facing premature babies. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1739595/support] As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

#020 - Belonging in the NICU during the Holidays

In this episode of Beyond the Beeps, Leah MG Jayanetti discusses the unique challenges faced by families in the NICU during the holiday season. Joined by Alena Costume, a two-time NICU mother, they explore the emotional rollercoaster of having a baby in the NICU, the importance of community support, and strategies for coping with stress. Alena shares her personal experiences, highlighting the significance of parental presence and the impact of healthcare staff on the NICU journey. The conversation emphasizes resilience, hope, and the need for better support systems for NICU families. In this conversation, Leah MG Jayanetti and Alena discuss the profound experiences of families in the NICU, emphasizing the importance of nourishment, community support, and the unexpected connections that can arise during challenging times. They share personal stories about creating the Touching Tiny Hands organization, the emotional toll of having a child in the NICU, and the significance of hope and belonging in the journey of parenthood, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1739595/support] As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

#019 - Keira’s journey from the NICU to the NICU Parent Network

In this episode, Leah Jayanetti speaks with Keira Sorrells, founder of the NICU Parent Network, about her personal journey through the NICU experience with her triplets and the advocacy work she has undertaken to support NICU families. They discuss the importance of family-centered care, the NICU Babies Bill of Rights, and the emotional challenges faced by parents in the NICU. Kira shares her insights on healing through storytelling and the need for self-care among NICU leaders, emphasizing that hope is an expression of love, regardless of the outcomes. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1739595/support] As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

#009 - NICU Parent Power | How Morgan found hers, saved her son’s life, and uses it to continue to improve the lives of countless others.

In this conversation, Leah and Morgan discuss the complexities of being a parent in the NICU, emphasizing the importance of finding one's voice and advocating for their child. Morgan shares her personal journey, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced while navigating the NICU environment. The discussion covers themes of power dynamics, the stigma of being labeled a 'difficult parent', the significance of family-centered care, and the necessity of self-care for parents. Ultimately, the conversation aims to empower NICU parents to embrace their role and advocate for their child's well-being. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1739595/support] As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!