"I've learned so much in this whole process. It's like you have a depth inside of you that resurrects as an advocate and high alert, and it lives inside of you when you need it." -Aspen, Willa's Mom In this episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor and guest...
Episode 144 | Alex’s Story – A NICU Dad Perspective
Podcast Show Notes
As a NICU Dad, Alex Zavala shares his perspective and critical role as a father on today’s episode of the podcast.
Alex shares so many moments along his journey that impacted him and gives advice to fellow NICU dads out there. This episode is for you too, moms and partners — you will gain a greater understanding of what the father’s experience can be like.
[3:32] Alex shares about his family
[7:39] Giving his wife daily injections
[9:49] Went to the store to register for baby gifts
[10:41] Alex’s wife called to let him know her water broke
[11:00] The drive to the hospital
[14:16] Feeling like you are in the movies
[16:00] Finding newfound strength as the situation gets harder
[17:36] Feeling like you are drinking water from a firehose
[18:27] Stat C-Section
[19:34] Alone and scrubbing in
[22:35] Pleading with the doctors
[24:26] Putting faith in the team
[25:28] Feeling helpless
[26:46] Being in the OR was traumatic for Alex
[27:07] Alex’s daughter is born
[28:05] Alex’s attention turns to his wife as she has post delivery complications
[31:25] Dad’s are responsible for relaying so much information in the NICU
[32:32] Baby was transported to the Children’s Hospital
[34:00] Setting foot in the NICU for the first time
[35:40] His wife meeting the baby
[38:14] The trauma and the stress is at a different level for Dads
[38:52] The NICU is just a warm up for home life
[40:15] Taking better care of yourself
[42:10] Sharing your experience makes you feel less alone
Connect With Alex
Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.
Parents, download our free parent starter kit.
When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
- Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
- Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
- Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.
Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.
Shop for your CLOC gear here.
Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
You Might Also Like…
214: Sacrifice, Advocacy, Joy: Raising a Son with End Stage Kidney Disease – The Ransome Family’s Story
"Sometimes it's really therapeutic though to remember all that you have gone through because I feel like there are times when we look at each other and I'm like how did we get here?" Taylor Ransome We're grateful for our sponsor for this episode, Nestle Health...
213: Parents, CCLS, Students: Show Up Exactly As You Are
In This Episode: Katie Taylor goes off the beaten path in this special episode to share a profound moment of inspiration that struck her. This episode is a heartfelt message to child life specialists, students, and parents, emphasizing the importance of showing up as...
