On today’s episode of the podcast, Ashley + Martha from Dear NICU Mama share their personal stories of trials and joy as they navigated difficult seasons as NICU moms themselves. You will feel right at home with the wit and charm Martha and Ashley bring to this episode. You learn why and how these amazing women created the Dear NICU Mama community all while giving us bits of wisdom, laughter and empowerment along the way.

**Trigger Warning**: This episode talks about infant loss. If your heart isn’t in the place to listen today, feel free to fast forward through Martha’s part of the story.**

[3:30] Introducing Dear NICU Mama

[3:48] Martha Introduces herself

[5:11] Sharing how she became septic and had to have an emergency c-section

[6:48] Her son was born at 25 weeks gestation

[7:24] Receiving a bleak prognosis

[7:58] How JP’s life changed the trajectory of Martha’s life

[8:14] Discovering she had a bicornuate separate uterus

[9:00]  JJ was born at 29 weeks gestation

[10:09] Struggles with PTSD from the past

[10:50] Ashley’s story

[12:33] Finding out she had sub-chorionic hemorrhage in early pregnancy

[15:45] Learning her son had a heart condition

[16:35]  Ashley becomes pre-eclamptic

[17:55] Ashley was rushed to the OR for an emergency C-Section

[18:55] Silas was transported back to their local NICU

[19:37] Adjusting to a private room from a pod

[21:34] Ashley’s positive emergency room experience

[22:55] Ashley posting about her NICU journey lead to Martha reaching out

[26:25] Unfollowing accounts on social media is allowed

[29:05] The power of Facebook groups

[30:50] Delivering a message of hope

[33:07] Research about private rooms vs pods

[36:06] Empowerment and validation for parents on the facebook group

[37:53] Grief and joy can co-exist

[40:05] Leaning into grief and pain, finding the beauty in it all

[42:33] Every day is a miracle

[44:37] the fierce loyalty of the sisterhood of NICU moms

Connect with Martha + Ashley at Dear NICU Mama

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Course recommendation from Katie:

Soul Care by Suzi Lula

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