The Real Mamas of the NICU Podcast

07/09/2024

Game Day in Iowa 🏈
❤️💛🖤💛

06/09/2024

Happy Back to School! We are ready to jump back on the POD!

We do need YOUR help!!

Would you be willing or know someone who would like to chat about:

1. Relationships/Marriage in the NICU
2. Having a baby after the NICU
3. How to handle family + Friends "who don't get it"

Send us a message!!

06/09/2024

Hi Everyone! Happy Fall and Back to School! As we gear up to get back on the POD, I'm looking for some NICU topics that you'd like to hear!! Sound off! 🎧🎙

18/07/2024

Liam The Lion 🦁

There are less than 100 cases world wide.

FULL STORY:https://www.kcrg.com/2024/07/17/3-year-old-with-ultra-rare-disease-shows-resilience-during-treatment-process/

01/06/2024

I love these so much, so let’s play + empower some past & present NICU MAMAS! ✨
(Didn’t have a NICU babe, that’s okay - feed our brains with mamahood advice, we are here for it all!)

HAPPY FRIDAY! 💜💜💜

23/05/2024

▫️Preeclampsia is a dangerous pregnancy complication that affects 1 in 25 pregnancies in the United States. May is preeclampsia month and May 22nd is World Preeclampsia Day.

▫️To help us be a little more informed on preeclampsia, Labcorp Chief Medical and Scientific Officer Dr. Brian Caveney is telling us about some of the new studies about preeclampsia.

▫️He says that one of the challenges involved with preeclampsia is that it is a very complicated disorder, and they don’t know what exactly causes it. Another challenge is that we often don’t notice raised blood pressure until it gets out of control.

▫️Dr. Caveney says that while there is no cure for preeclampsia, there is a lot of things a doctor can do to limit risk and have a healthy pregnancy.

▫️Dr. Caveney says that nothing is more important than regular appointments with your general physician, but for more information in between appointments you can head to www. labcorp.com.
….
⚠️ All pregnant mom’s need to be informed on the signs + symptoms of preeclampsia - regardless of their risk! ⚠️

22/05/2024

Remember when we interviewed Kathi Anderson in season ONE? We clearly need to bring her back!

Take a watch and grab your tissues!

20/05/2024

THINGS WE LEARNED FROM OUR NICU EXPERIENCE:

1. Not everyone handles stress, trauma + grief the same way.

2. Having your baby in the NICU is emotionally + physically draining - make sure to prioritize taking care of YOU, too.

3. Your significant partner will be your rock, not many others will get what you are going through.

4. There is no guidebook or rule book on how this works, trust your gut + intuition and always advocate.

5. The NICU staff will become not only your babies support, but they will more than likely be like forever family.

6. You may need therapy during and or after - and that’s OKAY.

7. Your body DID NOT fail you, I promise you!

8. You will GROW through what you GO THROUGH.

9. You were made to be this warriors mama, & don’t you ever forget it!

10. You will move mountains during your journey, that will be one day others survival guide!
…
You got this, NICU MAMA! 💜💜💜

17/05/2024

There is something special about being able to relate so closely with other people's experiences, pains, and celebrations. Some of my most treasured friendships have developed out of our NICU experience because we just "get it" and provide a safe place for each other to grieve and grow.

We still wouldn't wish the journey on anyone.

But, that forever sisterhood that is formed is something no words can ever explain.
…
So thankful to of been able to give back to our NICU mama’s this Mother’s Day @ University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital 💛🖤 we will definitely be back next year! 🙌🏼

15/05/2024

The 'Early Baby' Bluey episode has NICU moms tearing up everywhere

We all joke about how much time our kids spend watching Bluey.

But underneath all the jokes and iconic one-liners, the show often portrays complex life issues in a sensitive way our kids will understand.

Oftentimes, these scenes will hit home for parents watching along too.

One such episode, called 'Early Baby', continues to earn praise from mums and dads online for its relatable depiction of having a premature baby.

You have to be the bravest you've ever been"
In Season 1, Episode 41, the show tackles the topic through a game that Bluey and Indy play together.

"Bluey, can we pretend that my baby is coming, but it's coming too early," Indy says during the game.

Bluey agrees and they roleplay Indy's 'baby' coming early... it was meant to come "this afternoon," she says.

Once the baby is born, Bluey tries to move the game along but Indy cuts her off saying, "No, Bluey, because Polly is an early baby she needs to stay in the hospital for a long time because she's still very small."

Bluey nods and then they transport the baby to the NICU in a clear container "that's like a fishtank with holes in it."

Bluey, who's playing the NICU nurse, then tells Indy she's not allowed to stay overnight, saying, "Sweetheart, we'll look after her."

Then Indy acts distressed and replies, "But I don't want to leave Polly!"

Bluey then offers these words of encouragement to her: "You have to be the bravest you've ever been."

Indy agrees to be the bravest she's ever been and leaves the hospital and falls asleep at home.
….
anyone else love Bluey as much our house does? 🩵💙🩵💙

Watch Bluey full episodes!ABC Kids (Australia): https://iview.abc.net.au/show/blueyAvailable on Disney Junior and Disney+. https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/CB...

10/05/2024

Taylor and Masse have been searching for a special guest who could teach us about the new AEA Legislation in Iowa!

AVAILABLE NOW: Episode 9- AEA Explained with Representative Molly Buck

Thank you, Representative Buck, for educating on this new reform! She did an amazing job at keeping the information high-level and giving facts to allow our listeners to make their own informed decisions.

https://therealmamasofthenicupodcast.buzzsprout.com

07/05/2024

✨MOTHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY✨

Mama's you deserve only the best of the best + why we're giving away a little basket full of some of our favorite essentials as a thank you for helping us grow our page + community! 💜

To Enter:

1. Make sure you're following us on Facebook + Instagram!

2.Tag a friend you think deserves to win this giveaway with you! (more tags = more entries) *one tag per comment*

✨EXTRA ENTRY - share this post to your stories + tag us!✨

We will announce the winner on our stories and this post on Saturday, May 11th!! Good luck!

05/05/2024

You don't want to miss this interview with

We chat about parenting as a medical complex parent, legally fighting to care for your child in court, and how faith has helped carry her through tough times.

https://therealmamasofthenicupodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

04/05/2024

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

I'll be hosting a Mother's Day Event at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital for all current NICU MAMAS! I have had so so so so many gracious people, small business, family, ex NICU mom's, strangers + ETC reach out and offer to donate some sort of monetary or pamper related service or basket for these mamas to be given the day of to brighten their day.

If you want to check out the list or send something my way in your honor to gift these amazing mama's here is the amazon wish-list! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/N85VSYK1S5IM?ref_=wl_share

here is the way the event is going to look:
the current NICU mom's will come and hang with me + some other ex NICU mama's, we will have separate stations of fun crafty activities they can do if they would like, a little pamper station to do some self-care + have tea bombs, coffee + snacks all spread out!

here's where the amazing things gifted + donated to me for these mom's will take place: throughout the event, I will have the moms in attendance fill out a raffle ticket and throw it in a container - we will just draw throughout the event and they can go up to the table where all the items will be distributed and they can pick one to take as a gift from YOU AMAZING HUMANS! 💙

I can't even begin to thank you guys enough - I am so excited to spread some love + joy to these VERY deserving mama's on Mother's Day! I LOVE YOU ALL!

-Taylor

03/05/2024

finish this sentence....

"we're NICU moms, of course we..." 🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃

26/04/2024

𝙬𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 "𝙝𝙤𝙩."
actually, the full statement was: "you're one big hot mess." but, we're only focusing on the positives today! 𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙔 𝙁𝙍𝙄𝘿𝘼𝙔! 🧡🧡

18/04/2024

Here’s your reminder — you are NOT responsible for how people respond to setting boundaries for your child. YOU GO, MAMA! 👊 🤍
What are some boundaries you are proud of setting lately for your baby? ✨

12/04/2024

𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙢𝙖 / 𝙉𝙄𝘾𝙐 𝙢𝙖𝙢𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙠 + 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 "𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙪" 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝, 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚! https://www.etsy.com/shop/HotMessMedicalMama?ref=profile_header
let us know if you snag any + make sure to tag us in your swag! 🖤🖤🖤