Empowering NICU Parents Podcast Life After NICU With a Medically Complex Child: What is the Reality?

For NICU Parents, the day they are able to bring their baby home is unforgettable. Many parents have spent weeks and months traveling to the NICU to see their baby and have endured a large amount of stress, worry, and concern each day as they watched their baby fight against so many obstacles. So when parents hear that they are able to take their baby home, they are so thrilled that many underestimate the challenges they will face at home. For many NICU babies, their complex medical journey does not end once they exit the NICU doors. Sadly, not only do their medical needs continue, but it may actually feel more overwhelming for the parents at home due to new equipment and less resources being available.

Despite all of the coaching and empowerment provided by the NICU, the time at home with a NICU graduate may be more challenging than parents anticipated. And unfortunately, there really is not a proper way to fully prepare NICU parents for the days, months, and sometimes years that follow their discharge, especially for children with complex medical needs.

For this podcast episode, I sat down with a former NICU Mama, Alissa MacDonald who shares her family’s trials and triumphs as they have navigated through their post NICU days with their son, Tegan, a former 24-weeker. She shares what she has learned along the way and she wants to emphasize to parents that it’s okay to not be okay.

Despite both Alissa and her husband Matt being medically trained and prepared for a foster child with medical needs, they were not aware of the monumental impact Tegan would have on their lives as they previously knew it. Alissa speaks frankly on the challenges they have faced and how important mental health, support from family and friends, and making their marriage a priority has been.

Alissa reflects on how even as a NICU nurse, their days at home with Tegan were very different from what she had envisioned. She now admits that they were not at all prepared for the mental and physical toll it would have on her and their entire family. We discuss how it is not unusual for former NICU parents to feel overwhelmed, unprepared, angry, and alone in their post-NICU journey. Alissa touches on how important it is to find the right community and support system so parents do not feel alone in their journey as well as tangible ways friends and family can help support parents while they are in the NICU, PICU, or at home to ease their journey.

Stay tuned to hear their remarkable story and one that many NICU parents need to hear so they know that they are not alone in their journey.

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Empowering NICU Parents Podcast

A podcast specifically meant to educate and empower NICU parents as they endure their baby’s NICU journey. We provide you with tangible tips and support from my unique perspective as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) and a proud preemie Mama! Along with sharing answers to the NICU medical questions you have, Nicole will address and support you through the incredibly difficult emotional struggles that only a NICU parent can understand. Tune in and subscribe today!

To start 2024 out, our first episode focuses on marijuana use, its impact on pregnancy, the growing fetus and the child’s future development, as well as the implications of its use during breastfeeding.

Who would have thought that in 2024, we would be living in a time where marijuana use is so prominent and that it would be legal in 24 states as of January of 2024?!?

But, nonetheless, here we are! Because marijuana has been legalized in so many states, there are now false evolving perceptions on its general safety as well as its implications on the developing fetus and infant who are exposed to it either in utero or through breastmilk. In general, the perception of harm from marijuana is decreasing while the potency of marijuana is scarily increasing. Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug during pregnancy in the United States. And, its use in gaining speed amongst all adult age groups, in both sexes, and in pregnant women.

For our 56th episode, I reviewed the most up-to-date literature and will share the findings from several studies that reveal both short and long-term negative effects on the pregnant mother and developing fetus if used during pregnancy, and its future implications on the growing infant, child, and their transition into the teenage years, and as an adult after prenatal exposure. I will also point out the general concentration of marijuana in breast milk if used by a nursing mother, as well as how long it stays in the breast milk, and how it may impact the exposed infant.

This episode is packed full of useful information and will be ideal for any healthcare worker or for family members and friends who care about a pregnant woman or nursing mother who is currently using marijuana and want to ensure that she is fully educated on the implications of its use on her growing fetus or infant. And last, but actually, the most important, I encourage ALL women who are either considering becoming pregnant or who are currently pregnant and use marijuana on a regular basis, to listen.

Although marijuana use is so prevelant, it is so crucial that we fully understand its potential impact on the fetus and the child’s future development if used during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
You will not want to miss this one!

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Episode 56 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode56

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