Madeline joins Dr. Zimmermann to discuss her preterm labor, 91 day NICU journey, and her desire to change medical terminology away from terms that place blame and guilt on mothers.
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Dr. Zimmermann discusses the importance of words and labels in medical terminology. Let us stop placing blame and shame on women during their pregnancy and motherhood journey.
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Birth stories are important. Hearing real birth stories is an important step in feeling prepared for your own birth, and equally important, healing from a delivery that didn’t go as planned. While every birth is unique and different, there are commonalities that births share - and through listening to stories, you can feel empowered and connected with other mothers.
Here at Mighty Littles, we want to share birth stories of mom’s whose infants have gone to the NICU, normalizing this experience, and sharing stories that help you with your healing. Birth has so many unknowns, and we can never prepare fully for what might occur. On this episode, Gretchen relays her birth story, discussing what happened when she went into labor at 22 weeks, away from home, away from family while on a training trip for her job with the coast guard.
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Carl MacDonald's twins were born at 27 weeks. He has started telling his story on his blog and through social media, discussing the NICU from a Dad's perspective.
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A report detailing the levels of toxic metals in baby food last week, and headlines have scared parents. In this episode (and the accompanying blog post) we review the report, the background, and research available about heavy metals in food, recommendations for next steps, and my takeaways. .
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Heather discusses her quadruplet pregnancy, NICU experience, and the logistics of taking home 4 babies.
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Rebecca Lee, a speech and language pathologist joins Mighty Littles to discuss the benefits of baby sign language and practical tips for starting this with your mighty littles.
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Word have power, and Mighty Littles is going to Focus on words this month.
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Being pregnant with triplets is by definition a high-risk pregnancy from the onset. There is no blissful enjoyment of finding out you are pregnant. You immediately get referred to high-risk perinatologist, have weekly ultrasounds and numerous appointments, and immediately start having conversations with your doctors that you never want to have. Parents navigating the decisions that come with higher-order multiple pregnancies (anything more than twins) are faced with impossible decisions from the moment they find out they are pregnant. Impossible decisions. Decisions with no right or wrong answers and every decision simply brings on another question.
Here are the themes we talk about in this episode.
There are no right answers, only answers that feel best for your family.
During your NICU stay, you can and will do hard things. You may not love it or like it, but you CAN and you WILL do the hard thing that is required of you.
While navigating the NICU, there is practically no time to process what is happening. Everything comes so fast, and you are simply focused on the next milestone. And then, finally, there it is — the magical milestone where you get to take your baby(ies) home — NICU Discharge. There is a common belief that if you just can get your baby home, the NICU will be behind you. But in reality, the processing happens after your NICU stay is complete. There is still work to be done so you can process your NICU journey. Additionally, for many babies, medical issues don’t just stay in the NICU. They follow you home.
The gift of therapy.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. And take the help.
Bridging the gap between NICU discharge and initiating intensive therapies.
Join Dr. Anna Zimmermann and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson for a discussion about Bottom Line for Baby.
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In our second Practical Parenting Focus on Touch in the NICU Episode, we discuss Kangaroo Care. Also known as Skin-to-skin care, Kangaroo care has benefits to both mothers and babies in the NICU.
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Sam was born at 25 weeks, with Trisomy 21. This is Sara’s story of her life with Sam in the NICU and after discharge.
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Faith was born at 22-23 weeks. Her mom Lizzie joins the Mighty Littles podcast to talk about their NICU experience and how Faith is doing now!
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The Messy Mama Podcast and Mighty Littles join forces to bring your our Top 10 NICU Survival list. A unique discussion between a NICU Mama x 2 and a Neonatologist giving you insights into the world of the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.
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Marquita had an uncomplicated pregnancy up until she went into preterm labor at 22-weeks. Kas was born weighing 440g. Being born at the edge of viability, she was given the option to “go with it or not” - you don't have time to think about it - you just have to make a decision. Marquita and her family decided to see what Kas would do. He had his misbehaving moments, but it was clear to the family that he was fighting, so they kept fighting for him.
How do you survive an 8 month NICU stay with your baby:
Nurses - they are a combination of your best friend, your favorite teacher, and your therapist.
Reading - Read, read read.
Connecting with your baby when you visit can keep you going and fighting for another day.
Lucas was born at 22 weeks, weighing 1 pound, 3 ounces. His parents join Mighty Littles to talk about having a baby born at the edge of viability.
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Emily had not one, but two infants in the NICU. Her son was born at 33 weeks and her daughter was born at 23 weeks. Her story kicks off our Mini Mighty Littles Series this week!
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Reign was born at 26 weeks after mom developed severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. She spent 80 days in the NICU before being discharged home. Ebony is an advocate for maternal health and preemies She joins the Mighty Littles Podcast today to discuss how miracles are messy.
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A few of the many quotes I love from this podcast:
The day I went home, I wasn’t prepared for how empty I would feel not pregnant and not with my baby. That night was the hardest night that I had.
Just because you are grieving what you wanted, doesn’t mean you aren’t grateful for what you have.
There is no right way to react to having a baby in the NICU.
The NICU is an experience in the juxtaposition of emotions.
As time has passed, instead of thinking things went wrong and my body failed, MAYBE, I’m living the best-case scenario of an alternative outcome that would have been devastating - and that would have been losing our baby at 20 weeks. In that world, the NICU would have been my dream scenario.
I didn’t feel strong when I was going through the NICU. But I was strong. And if I could tell preemie moms anything, it would be that they are strong. And their baby is strong.
You are not alone.