Ep 8: The NICU Survival Guide

Ep 8: The NICU Survival Guide

Author: Natalee Facey September 5, 2020 Duration: 50:26

September is NICU Awareness Month, a time when we honor NICU babies, their families, and the health professionals that support them. 

If you're a Birth Warrior, I also want to acknowledge that the NICU may hold memories of painful experiences for you. It's certainly where I experienced most of the trauma after my second pregnancy with my preemie (I share a bit of my personal story in this episode as well). 

 You'll find today's topic especially useful if:

  1. You're a Birth Warrior who may be having a high risk pregnancy, and as a result, your baby may possibly spend some time in the NICU after its birth
  2. You already experienced being in the NICU with your angel baby and DREAD having to go through that experience again in your next pregnancy
  3. Your baby is currently in the NICU, everything is scary and overwhelming and you're not sure how you can best support your baby and stay sane through it all!

 

Knowing how to navigate uncertainty gives us the confidence to show up with strength and grace. And being prepared for undesirable outcomes (such as having to be in the NICU) also removes the fear of not knowing what to do if it becomes your reality.

In this episode, I share strategies for getting the support that you need, for contributing to your baby's wellness, and staying sane through it all. 

Please share this episode with a Birth Warrior in the NICU or who have fears around surviving the NICU in the future. 

---

If you're looking to get to the next phase of your Birth Warrior Journey, here are ways that I can support you:

 

1. Join the private Birth Warrior Facebook Community with others on their healing journey. Whether you're seeking ways to bolster your healing, on a pause, or are actively trying to conceive, the community allows you to be with other Birth Warriors on their journey, and get the support you need for your next step. I lead a weekly live (Birth Warrior Wednesday!) every Wednesday at 6PM ET and share resources so you can be the  fearless warrior you're meant to be on this journey. Sign up here: facebook.com/groups/birthwarriorcommunity 

2. Work 1:1 with me for your emotional healing or to gently guide you through a conception to childbirth plan for your next pregnancy. Pregnancy after loss or infertility is tough, and you do not deserve to feel overwhelmed or alone. You've been through enough, warrior! And you are so much stronger with the right support! Book a complimentary strategy call with me to help you get clarity on what your focus would be for the next phase of your journey: https://calendly.com/nataleefacey/20min 

Learn More

> Learn more about who I am and what I do at nataleefacey.com 

Say Hello

> On Instagram: @thebirthwarriors 

> Inside the Birth Warrior Community: facebook.com/groups/birthwarriorcommunity 

> Via Email: hello@nataleefacey.com 


Navigating the path toward another pregnancy after a loss or trauma is a deeply personal and often isolating experience. Preparing For Pregnancy After Loss offers a compassionate space for this unique journey, hosted by Natalee Facey. As a mother to two angel babies herself, as well as a Resilience Coach and Birth Doula, Natalee brings both professional insight and profound personal understanding to each conversation. This podcast gently addresses the complex layers-emotional, physical, and mental-that accompany family planning after experiences like infertility, traumatic birth, or infant loss. Episodes weave together practical guidance on health and fitness with essential discussions on inner healing and emotional resilience. You’ll hear honest dialogues, strategies for rebuilding hope, and reflections on transforming grief into a source of strength. It’s more than just an educational resource; it’s about finding a supportive voice that acknowledges the fear and courage that coexist when considering pregnancy again. Through this podcast, Natalee aims to foster a sense of community and grounded preparation, helping you reconnect with your own body and spirit on your own terms.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 68

Preparing For Pregnancy After Loss
Podcast Episodes
Ep 43: Healing Relationships with Compassionate Communication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:48
I consider myself a life-long learner, so it means a lot when I say that Compassionate Communication or Nonviolent Communication (NVC) has been one of the single most important practices I've learned. As my teacher, Stev…
Thriving in Pregnancy After Loss Workshops: July 2022 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:04
If you're currently pregnant and feel as though you're holding fear and anxiety in your body, this month's workshop is for you. Two sessions are being held: the first on Weds, Jul 20 at 7PM ET is for pregnant women/peopl…
Ep 42: Rada's Story - IVF, Pregnancy After Loss, & Inner Healing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:36
In this episode, Rada, a client of mine, reflects on our time working together and the impact that had on her pregnancy journey, inner healing, and her relationships. She shares: - Feeling discouraged to try again after…
Ep 41: Birth Story - Birthing in Community with Tia DeShazor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:34
I had the pleasure of working with Tia during her pregnancy as her "space-holder," resource-connector, co-strategist, and emotional healing guide. I've been excited to share our follow-up conversation because Tia's story…
Ep 40: Meet Birth & Postpartum Doula, Kris Bailey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:18
Today's episode features one of my favorite Birth & Postpartum Doulas, Kris Bailey. Knowing that you can add a Birth and Postpartum Doula to your birthing team helps to take the "scary" out of childbirth. And so, I'm thr…
Ep 39: For The Other Mothers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:56
These words are in honor of the "other mothers"…those on the not-so-easy pregnancy journey whose stories I've had the privilege of holding sacred space for. If today's episode resonates with you, please share it with som…
Work With Me This April [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:09
How do you use your painful experiences to give birth to a more powerful version of you? It's not only possible, but it's the transformation your life has been asking for. This level of inner healing may have felt out of…
Ep 38: Embodied Healing with Thérèse Cator [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:02
I thoroughly enjoyed today's soulful conversation with Thérèse Cator. Thérèse is one of my teachers and mentors, and her work has guided me in walking the path of my own calling with more clarity and confidence…in being…
Ep 37: Why Self-Love Is So Hard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:12
Self-love is hard for most people. It isn't a practice that's encouraged in our culture. Instead, we're continually fed messaging about what's wrong with us and what we need to change to reach a certain standard. Now, wh…
Ep 36: A New Look at the New Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:19
Welcome to 2022, beloved. How are you arriving? Is it with excitement? Some anxiety? With rules about what you need to do to make this the best year yet? We tend to feel that entering the New Year is like entering a magi…