Dear NICU Mama

Jessica | A Heart Diagnosis and 84 Days in the NICU

In this week’s podcast episode, Jessica shares the remarkable story of becoming a NICU mom through adoption. She opens up about her and her husband’s journey through foster care, infertility, and the unexpected call that would introduce them to their son, Noah. Just weeks before his birth, they learned he had a complex congenital heart defect, along with other medical concerns that left doctors unsure if he would survive. Jessica vulnerably walks us through Noah’s early arrival, his emergency transfer to a Level IV NICU, a terrifying code event at one month old, and ultimately his open heart surgery at just four months of age. She shares what it felt like to hand her baby over at the operating room doors, how NICU nurses carried hope for her when she could not carry it herself, and the tension of learning to fully embrace her role as mom while honoring Noah’s birth mother. Jessica also reflects on the emotional transition home after 84 days in the hospital and what it looked like to slowly rebuild life and create new memories beyond survival mode. Today, Noah is thriving and living a full, joyful life. His story is one of resilience, courage, and deep trust in the midst of fear! As you listen to Jessica’s story, we hope that any heart mama, adoptive mama, or NICU mama in the thick of it feels seen and heard. You are not 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/] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama]

Sex & Healing after NICU with Jill Ehrmantraut

In this week’s podcast episode, we’re sharing a 2026 refresh of one of our most requested and revisited conversations, originally recorded in 2021. We’re joined by pelvic floor physical therapist Jill Ehrmantraut of Apex Therapy [https://apexptwellness.com/] for an honest and affirming discussion about pelvic floor health, physical healing, and sex after the NICU and birth trauma. Jill helps us understand how birth, trauma, and chronic stress impact the body, the nervous system, and the pelvic floor. Together, we talk about common but often unspoken changes after birth, including pain with sex, muscle tension, weakness, scar tissue from C sections, emotional release held in the body, and why pelvic floor therapy can be an essential part of healing for both vaginal and C section births. This conversation gently demystifies pelvic floor therapy, addresses fears and misconceptions, and reminds moms that discomfort, pain, and changes after birth are common, but they do not have to be your normal. Jill shares practical insight, reassurance, and hope for moms navigating physical healing after the NICU. As you listen, we hope you feel validated, empowered, and encouraged to seek care that honors both your body and your story. Healing is not linear, postpartum is lifelong, and you are never alone in this sisterhood!    Jill is a Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist (WCS) with advanced training in pelvic rehabilitation for females, males and children. Jill graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND in 2010. She has advanced training in the treatment of pelvic pain, pregnancy and post-partum issues, urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, constipation, and neurogenic bladder in women, men, and children. She also has years of experience in treating female pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic floor dysfunction during or after cancer treatment, pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction, and post prostatectomy incontinence in males. She is the second physical therapist in the state of North Dakota to obtain a Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. Jill is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and a part of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. She is also certified in Functional Dry Needling Level 1 and Pelvic Floor dry needling/Level 2. To get connected with Jill and Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness: https://apexptwellness.com/ [https://www.prairielandcounselingfargo.com/] 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 [https://www.dearnicumama.com/] | Private Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/286008085639339/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dearnicumama] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama]

Sex & Intimacy After the NICU with Natalie Reiter

We are back!!! In this week’s podcast episode, we’re sharing a 2026 update and re-release of a conversation originally recorded in 2020, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. We’re joined by maternal mental health therapist Natalie Reiter for an honest and compassionate discussion about sex and intimacy after the NICU and birth trauma. Natalie explores how trauma impacts our nervous systems, why intimacy and sex are not the same thing, and how fear, pressure, and survival mode can affect connection after the NICU. Together, we talk about rebuilding intimacy, navigating mismatched desire, fear of pregnancy after trauma, and the emotional and physical changes that can shape sex after birth. As you listen, we hope you feel seen and validated, especially during a season when expectations around love and intimacy can feel tender. Healing is not linear, connection can be rebuilt, and you are never alone in this sisterhood, NICU mama. Natalie specializes in reproductive mental health which includes peri-natal, post-partum, infertility, infant loss, paternal mental health, and the impact on couples. She has received specialized training in perinatal and post-partum mental health from Postpartum Support International, and was recently selected as the 2019 Outstanding Mental Health Counselor by the North Dakota Mental Health Counseling Association for my work with reproductive mental health. Her work as a child birth educator and her two children have sparked her passion of working with reproductive mental health! To get connected with Prairieland Counseling: Website [https://www.prairielandcounselingfargo.com/] 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 [https://www.dearnicumama.com] | Private Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/286008085639339/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dearnicumama] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama]

Our Final Episode of 2025 & Introducing the Holiday Book Drive!

In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha sit down for a cozy end-of-year conversation to close out the 2025 podcast season. Together, they reflect on the stories, experts, and full-circle moments that shaped this year’s episodes, and share how the Dear NICU Mama sisterhood continues to impact their own healing journeys. They also introduce something brand new to the community: our Right On Time Holiday Book Drive [https://givebutter.com/dnmholidaybookdrive]. After receiving more than 130 nominations from NICU moms across the country, six hospitals were selected to receive donated copies of Right On Time [https://shop.dearnicumama.com/products/pre-order-right-on-time-board-book]. This is a meaningful way for NICU families to give back to the places that cared for their babies so well! During the episode, Ashley and Aisha walk through how the book drive works, why it matters, and how every donation helps sustain the mission of Dear NICU Mama—from this podcast, to our support groups, to the resources that meet NICU moms right where they are. $25 donates one book [https://givebutter.com/dnmholidaybookdrive], and listeners can choose to gift a book to a specific selected NICU or to the general campaign. As we wrap up another year of stories and connection, we hope this conversation reminds you that you are not alone. Thank you, mamas, for being part of this sisterhood. We can’t wait to be back in 2026 with more stories of hope! To donate to the Holiday Book Drive, head to: https://givebutter.com/dnmholidaybookdrive [https://givebutter.com/dnmholidaybookdrive] 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]

Meet the Illustrator of Right On Time + Exciting Book Update!

In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha sit down with two very special guests: Allie, a PA who cared for Ashley’s son during his NICU stay, and her husband, Troy—the illustrator of Right On Time [https://shop.dearnicumama.com/products/pre-order-right-on-time-board-book], Dear NICU Mama’s first children’s board book. Together they share the full-circle story of how their NICU connection led to creating a book that honors and represents the diverse journeys of NICU families! Ali reflects on her years in the NICU and her work in pediatric rehab, and Troy shares what it was like to illustrate a project so close to his family’s heart. You’ll also hear exciting updates on the book’s arrival, our successful pre-order campaign, and the upcoming Holiday Book Drive.  We hope this episode reminds you of the power of connection, storytelling, and the extraordinary milestones our NICU babies achieve, each one right on time. Order the Right On Time book here [https://shop.dearnicumama.com/products/pre-order-right-on-time-board-book]! 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/] Connect with Troy: Website [https://www.troybeckerart.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/troybeckerart] | X [https://x.com/ttbecker] | Email: ttbecker@gmail.com  About Troy: It starts in New York Mills, MN where Troy was born and raised. After an affinity for drawing, comics and art - he graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a B.A. in Art and Communications. After a few stints in Minneapolis, Connecticut and Wisconsin he found himself back in the F-M area. Troy has been an illustrator, cartoonist and graphic artist for Forum Communications for nearly 18 years. Troy also served as an adjunct professor at MSUM from 2015-2020. The art continues in his home studio where he enjoys creating screen prints, comics and graphic novels. You can find his art in local exhibits and commissions across the upper Midwest. Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/dearnicumama]