Guest: Scott & Kathryn Whitaker, NICU parents You’re living your hardest days in the NICU, so you turn to social media for support, encouragement, solidarity and community. Can you share too much? When does your story become their story? Veteran NICU parents and active social media users Scott & Kathryn Whitaker share some tips for sharing your NICU baby’s journey on social media, setting healthy boundaries and inviting people into your suffering. In this episode, we chat about: How both Scott and Kathryn processed their experiences online in different ways when their son was in t ..read more

Guest: JS Park, Author, Chaplain In this episode: Explain how a hospital chaplain’s role differs from a pastor or worship leader. List three ways a patient may react to grief or difficult news from a medical professional. Name three things a NICU professional can do to make a family feel seen on a difficult day. CLAIM CEU About JS Park: J.S. Park is a hospital chaplain, published author, and online educator. For eight years he has been an interfaith chaplain at a 1000+ bed hospital that is designated a Level 1 Trauma Center. His role includes grief counseling, attending every death, eve ..read more

Guest: Will Hay, NICU Dad and Author To every dad who has endured a NICU stay with his son or daughter, we see you. NICU dad Will Hay shares his hardest day, the thing that gave him hope and how he took his fear and turned it into a beautiful resource for other parents. Dads, this one’s for you.   In this episode, we chat about: Emotions felt – as a dad – when his daughter was admitted to the NICU Good and bad days in the NICU and what helped make it all more bearable How to determine what is normal and what is micropreemie normal? Relationships with friends and spouse and how thye ..read more

This column is reprinted with permission from the newsletter of author and educator Marshall Allen. To get more money-saving health care tips, you can subscribe for free at marshallallen.substack.com. A note from Marshall: Our health care system might be the hardest on the patients who have chronic conditions. Their care is complicated and frequent – increasing their likelihood of being caught up in an ordeal of overpriced red tape. That’s why I wanted you to hear from Kathryn Whitaker. Kathryn recently interviewed me for the Hand to Hold’s NICU Babies, Parent Support podcast, which supports ..read more

Guest: Marshall Allen, Author of “Never Pay the First Bill” & Pulitzer Prize Finalist Never pay the first bill, at least that’s what podcast guest and medical investigative journalist Marshall Allen advises. At some point, every NICU family has to deal with an insurance company, government agency, medical billing office or all three. Learn how to speak a language that billing offices understand, advocate for your rights, save yourself money, tap into hospital assistance programs and arm yourself with information. In this episode, we chat about: Why Mr. Allen recommends never paying th ..read more

Guest: Kelley Coleman, Author & Disability Advocate Paying the medical bills and determining insurance coverage can almost be as stressful as caring for your NICU baby (and sometimes more so). Kelley Coleman – author, disability advocate and mom of a medically complex child – shares questions to ask, provides an overview of programs and shares advice from both her lived experience, as well as insurance and medical billing experts. In this episode, we chat about: What types of government assistance or insurance coverage is available to parents of a NICU baby or medically complex child ..read more

Guest: Daniel Penny, M.D., Ph.D., MHA Chief of Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Childrens Hospital In this episode: List at least one reason why neonates are more susceptible to congenital heart defects. Name two advancements in pediatric cardiac care in the last decade. Explain the most common symptoms of two of the three heart conditions: PDA, VSD or HLHS. CLAIM CEU Dr. Penny grew up in Cork where he obtained his medical degree and did his residency training in Dublin, working in several hospitals, including St. James Hospital, The National Children’s Hospital and The National Maternity Ho ..read more

Season 6 of the NICU Babies, Parent Support podcast is here! This exciting new season will focus on life after a NICU admission, with honest and informative discussions about postpartum depression and anxiety, advocating for parental leave in your workplace, navigating all those medical bills, postpartum health, a dad’s perspective on life in and after the NICU, and finally, sex after the NICU. Yup, we’re talking about it. Season 6 kicks off with episode 94, featuring Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, board-certified OB/GYN and host of the All About Pregnancy & Birth Podcast. Dr. Rankins sha ..read more

Guest: Nicole Rankins, MD, MPH Are you worried you might be suffering from postpartum depression or anxiety? Whether it’s been days, weeks or months since the birth of your baby, board-certified OB/Gyn Dr. Nicole Rankins shares what PPD and PPA are, common symptoms, treatment options and where to seek help. In this episode, we chat about: How prevalent is postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety in women, following birth? What are some warning signs and when should a woman seek professional help? Often, NICU moms and women of color are at a higher risk of PPD and PPA, however they of ..read more

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