Dear NICU Mama
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
The DNM Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by NICU mamas and team members of Dear NICU Mama, Ashley + Aisha! By hosting interviews with trauma-informed medical and maternal mental health experts and sharing vulnerable interviews with NICU mamas around the world, our hope is that you feel like you’re sitting across the table from another NICU sister and feel seen and validated in your experience. No matter where you are on your healing journey, this podcast is here to remind you that you are not alone. Welcome to the sisterhood! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Emma | Grady’s Neonatal Stroke Journey
Emma shares her son Grady's NICU journey after a neonatal stroke at birth, including respiratory distress, seizures, and a hospital transfer. She reflects on the emotional challenges and the resilience found during this unexpected medical…
- Mother's Day Mama's Call In
This episode features NICU mothers sharing messages of hope and encouragement for Mother's Day, validating feelings and acknowledging the complex emotions associated with the holiday. It emphasizes that no mother navigates this journey alo…
- Latoya’s Story: A NICU Journey, Loss, and Honoring Skylar
Latoya recounts her daughter Skylar's birth at 28 weeks and their subsequent 10-month NICU stay. Following Skylar's death at 18 months, Latoya navigated grief and trauma, founding The Skylar Project to assist NICU families.
- C-Section Roundtable Part 2 | A Replay Episode
This episode continues a C-section roundtable with NICU mamas Lindsay and Kristen, discussing postpartum recovery, unexpected moments, and the emotional aspects following a C-section, especially when a baby is in the NICU.
- C-Section Roundtable Part 1 | A Replay Episode
This episode features a C-section roundtable with NICU mamas Lindsay and Kristen, discussing their birth experiences, the feelings of loss of control, and the healing that follows. They also touch on grief, love, and reframing C-section bi…
- Sharon’s Story: A Twin NICU Journey at 30 Weeks
Sharon shares her journey as a NICU mom to twins born at 30 weeks following a high-risk pregnancy. She discusses meeting her daughters for the first time in the NICU, managing their separate care, and balancing this with her other children…
- Brent & Suzette: Holding Grief and Joy in Medical Parenthood
Brent and Suzette discuss their daughter Chloe's journey with Leigh Syndrome, a rare mitochondrial disorder. They reflect on diagnosis, hospitalizations, advocacy, and balancing grief and joy, sharing wisdom on partnership and hope. Their…
- March Mama's Call In
March Mama
- Cerebral Palsy Is a Spectrum: A NICU Mom Roundtable
NICU moms discuss their experiences receiving a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis, the spectrum of the condition, and the importance of early intervention, advocacy, and community support throughout their journeys.
- Life After the NICU: Oakley’s NICU Story | Part 2
Emilee shares her experiences transitioning home from the NICU with her son Oakley, detailing the challenges of managing his rare genetic deletion, medical interventions like a G-tube, and advocating for his needs. The episode also touches…
- A Full-Circle Diagnosis: Oakley’s NICU Story | Part 1
Emilee recounts her son Oakley's unexpected NICU journey, beginning with a premature birth and evolving into a rare UBE2A genetic diagnosis. A family connection emerged when her brother was found to have the same deletion.
- February Mama's Call In Episode
In this NICU Mama call-in episode, mothers share messages of encouragement and advice they would offer their past selves during their time in the NICU, emphasizing the importance of breathing, patience, and self-permission to rest.
- Jessica | A Heart Diagnosis and 84 Days in the NICU
Jessica shares her experience becoming a NICU mom through adoption, detailing her son Noah's birth with a congenital heart defect, his 84 days in the NICU including a code event and open heart surgery, and the transition home.
- Sex & Healing after NICU with Jill Ehrmantraut
This episode features pelvic floor physical therapist Jill Ehrmantraut discussing pelvic floor health, physical healing, and sex after the NICU and birth trauma. The conversation covers the impact of birth and stress on the body, common po…
- Sex & Intimacy After the NICU with Natalie Reiter
Maternal mental health therapist Natalie Reiter joins "Dear NICU Mama" to discuss sex and intimacy post-NICU and birth trauma. The episode, updated for 2026, explores how trauma affects the nervous system, differentiates intimacy from sex,…
- Our Final Episode of 2025 & Introducing the Holiday Book Drive!
The final 2025 episode of Dear NICU Mama features hosts Ashley and Aisha reflecting on the podcast season and introducing the Right On Time Holiday Book Drive. This initiative donates books to six selected NICU hospitals, with donations of…
- Meet the Illustrator of Right On Time + Exciting Book Update!
Dear NICU Mama hosts Aisha and Ashley interview PA Allie and her husband Troy, the illustrator of their children's book "Right On Time." They discuss their NICU experience and the creation of the book, alongside updates on its release and…
- Right On Time: Navigating Milestones with KC from Milestones & Motherhood
Dr. KC, a pediatric physical therapist, discusses developmental milestones and early intervention, sharing insights on adjusted age and managing comparison for NICU parents. She emphasizes celebrating small achievements and reassures paren…
- The OGs Reunite: A Conversation with Co-Founder Martha!
Dear NICU Mama co-founder Martha joins hosts Ashley and Aisha to discuss the early days of the organization, including their first meeting, the podcast launch, and the challenges and successes that followed. They reflect on the growth from…
- Encouragement from NICU Dads Ryan & Andy
In this episode, NICU dads Ryan and Andy join hosts Ashley and Aisha to share their personal experiences. They discuss navigating challenges like emergency deliveries, hospital stays, grief, and healing, emphasizing the crucial role of par…
- Right On Time | G-Tube Roundtable: Redefining Milestones After the NICU
In this episode, NICU mothers discuss their feeding journeys after the NICU, focusing on the transition to home with a G-tube. They share openly about managing emotions, adjusting expectations, and recognizing that every feeding journey is…
- Healing After Birth and NICU Trauma with The Birth Trauma Mama
This episode features licensed therapist Kayleigh Summers discussing the lasting impact of birth and NICU trauma, the healing process, and the role of community support. It offers insight into understanding trauma, navigating grief, and ho…
- Right On Time | Understanding IEPs with Catherine Whitcher, M.Ed.
This episode features special education expert Catherine Whitcher discussing the IEP process. She provides guidance on advocating for children in school, partnering with educators, and finding empowerment, emphasizing that an IEP is a tool…
- Kristen | Right On Time: Healing, Hope, and “Inchstones”
This episode continues Kristen's story, detailing her 11-month NICU stay with Amelia. Kristen discusses facing medical procedures, celebrating 'inchstones' of progress, and the difficulties of adjusting to life at home with ongoing medical…
- Kristen | When Time Stood Still: Amelia’s 11-Month NICU Journey
Kristen shares her 11-month NICU journey with daughter Amelia, detailing experiences from premature birth at 35 weeks following 23 weeks of hospital bedrest, through heart surgery, and eventual trach placement. The episode discusses the em…
- Carrie Part 2 | When the Hard but Right Thing Looks Like Heart Surgery
Carrie shares her family’s experience with their daughter Hattie’s NICU stay, the subsequent years of waiting for heart surgery, and navigating the medical journey. She discusses parenting through fear, the importance of therapy and commun…
- When Our COVID NICU Babies Start School
Hosts Ashley and Aisha, joined by Kamille, share personal experiences of navigating the NICU during the early pandemic and the emotions of sending their children, who were COVID NICU babies, to kindergarten. They reflect on challenges and…
- Welcome Back + A Big Announcement!
In this episode of Dear NICU Mama, hosts Ashley and Aisha return from their summer break. They discuss Walking Letter of Hope Day, back-to-school events, and announce the release of their first children's book, 'Right On Time,' designed fo…
- S10 E20 | Carey | Three Surgeries, 113 Days, and Finding Her NICU Sisters
Carey details her experience with preeclampsia and delivering her daughter Eliana at 29 weeks. She discusses navigating a 113-day NICU stay, including surgeries and a G-tube, and finding support through the Dear NICU Mama community.
- Walking Letter of Hope Day 2025 – Everything You Need to Know!
The Dear NICU Mama podcast covers Walking Letter of Hope Day 2025, an event to honor NICU journeys and raise funds. The episode details how to participate, a new virtual event on July 29th featuring Rachelle and Kayleigh, and opportunities…
- Andrea | Two-Time NICU Mom & NICU Alumni Founder
Andrea Hickson, mother to two daughters born prematurely, shares her journey through NICU stays and the founding of NICU Alumni, a nonprofit supporting families after hospital discharge.
- Brianna | Two Preterm Deliveries, 14 Months Apart
Brianna shares her journey as a mother of two sons born prematurely at 28 and 33 weeks, detailing the challenges of two high-risk pregnancies, NICU stays, and navigating life with a baby at home while caring for an infant in the NICU.
- Navigating Friendships After Birth and NICU Trauma with The Birth Trauma Mama
The Dear NICU Mama podcast features Kayleigh Summers discussing how friendships change after birth trauma and NICU experiences, exploring grief, identity shifts, and finding new connections.
- Sam | Navigating the NICU and Medical Motherhood - Part 2
This episode continues Sam’s story about becoming a NICU and medical mama after her daughter was born at 24 weeks. Sam discusses the challenges of her daughter’s recovery, including medical setbacks and surgeries, and navigating life after…
- NICU Life During Deployment: Sarah’s Story
Sarah Hogan, a NICU mom and military spouse, recounts her high-risk pregnancy and her daughter Sadie's premature birth at 28 weeks. She discusses the emotional challenges of parenting two other children during Sadie's extended NICU stay, w…
- Sam | Sam’s Journey to Becoming a Mom - Part 1
In Part 1 of her motherhood journey, Sam discusses navigating infertility, a PCOS diagnosis, and pregnancy complications that led to her daughter’s early birth at 24 weeks and 4 days.
- Happy Mother’s Day, NICU Mama - Live Recording!
This live recording from the Dear NICU Mama Virtual Live Podcast Event features hosts Ashley and Martha discussing the bittersweet emotions, grief, and healing associated with Mother's Day for NICU moms. The conversation emphasizes the imp…
- Replay Roundtable: Building Bonds & Honoring NICU Moms This Mother’s Day
This episode features a roundtable discussion with Dear NICU Mama Co-Founders Ashley and Martha, and editorial team member Lindsay, about the experience of bonding with babies in the NICU. They share personal reflections on navigating grie…
- Rebekah | Elias' NICU Journey Part 2
Rebekah discusses the challenges of her son Elias's NICU journey, covering feeding issues, a brain injury diagnosis, and the emotional aspects of parenting a medically complex child. She shares her experience with a cerebral palsy diagnosi…
- Rebekah | Elias' NICU Journey Part 1
Rebekah recounts the challenging start to her son Elias's life, including a premature birth at 28 weeks and his transfer to a Level IV NICU. She discusses the fear, grief, and strength involved in parenting during a traumatic NICU experien…
- S10 E8 | Baby Showers Mini Series Ep4: Navigating Baby Showers After the NICU - Live Recording!
This live roundtable discussion from the Dear NICU Mama podcast features hosts Ashley and Aisha with team members Vilma and Carolissa. They talk about the emotional challenges and practical ways NICU mothers can navigate attending baby sho…
- S10 E7 | Baby Showers Mini Series Ep3: Navigating Baby Showers After Loss
This episode discusses the emotional experience of baby showers after loss, featuring personal stories from hosts Ashley and Aisha and guest Mollie. Topics include navigating grief, canceled or virtual showers, receiving gifts, memory-maki…
- Baby Showers Mini Series Ep2: Attending Your Own Baby Shower While Your Baby is in the NICU
Hosts Ashley and Aisha speak with Lindsay and Kirsten about the complex emotions, grief, and decisions involved in attending a baby shower while their babies were in the NICU.
- Baby Showers Mini Series Ep1: The Emotional Side of Planning (or Not Planning) a Shower
In this episode, hosts Ashley and Aisha talk with guests Jamie and Kamille about the emotional complexities of planning a baby shower during a high-risk pregnancy. They share personal experiences and discuss balancing hope and fear, grievi…
- Coming Soon: A Teaser for Our Next Podcast Series!
This teaser episode previews an upcoming mini-series on baby showers from the NICU mom perspective. Hosts Ashley and Aisha will share personal stories and discuss the emotional complexities surrounding baby showers after a NICU stay, with…
- Lauren | Audrey's NICU Journey
Lauren, founder of Joy of Creative Play, shares her experience with a high-risk pregnancy, rare diagnosis, and her daughter's NICU journey. She discusses advocacy, finding hope, and the challenges of bonding after birth, which inspired her…
- Ashton | Evans’ NICU Journey
Ashton, an Enneagram expert and NICU mama, shares her unexpected journey into the NICU with her second child, Evans. She discusses the shock of an early C-section, navigating life with a toddler while Evans was in the NICU, and the emotion…
- We're Back! Jamie | Nalah's NICU Journey
Jamie, a labor and delivery nurse, discusses facing unexpected complications at 20 weeks, leading to bed rest and delivering her daughter at 26 weeks. She reflects on their NICU journey, including diagnoses and finding strength through fai…
- Navigating the Holidays in the NICU: A Roundtable Episode
In this roundtable episode, Aisha talks with NICU moms Kamille and Taylor about navigating the holidays while their babies are in the NICU. They share personal experiences, discuss managing emotions, and how they created meaningful moments…
- Navigating Loss, Bonding, and Advocacy with Rachell Dumas of Light After Nine
Rachell Dumas, founder of A Light After Nine, discusses her experiences with pregnancy loss, advocating for herself and her babies, and bonding with her son. The episode covers medical advocacy, bonding complexities, and the importance of…