From a Home Birth to a High-Risk Pregnancy: Advocating for Your Baby's Care in the NICU

Birth, Baby!

Today we have a Jes, a postpartum doula on the Empowered Beginnings team, on to talk to us about the birth and NICU stay of her second child. She wanted to share this story to bring light to the world of being a NICU parent. Jes is a wife and mother of two children, postpartum doula and pediatric sleep consultant, and an passionate plant and pug lover.

Summary

Jes shares her birth stories, focusing on her second pregnancy and birth. Her first birth was a natural, birth center birth with midwifery care. For her second pregnancy, she experienced complications with high blood pressure and had to switch to an OB. She was put on bed rest and eventually gave birth at 32 weeks. Despite the challenges, she had an unmedicated birth and her baby was taken to the NICU. Jes reflects on the stark contrast between her two birth experiences and the emotional journey of having a baby in the NICU. She shares her experience of having a baby in the NICU and offers advice for other parents going through a similar situation. She emphasizes the importance of being with your baby as much as possible and taking advantage of the help offered by friends and family. Jes also encourages parents to be advocates for their baby's care and to communicate with the medical staff about their goals and concerns. She shares her own struggles with postpartum depression and highlights the need for mental health support during and after a NICU stay. Jes concludes by reminding listeners to focus on the milestones and progress their baby is making, and to celebrate each small victory.

Takeaways

• The importance of informed decision-making in choosing the right care provider and birth setting
• The impact of watching documentaries like 'The Business of Being Born' on birth choices
• The challenges and emotions of having a baby in the NICU
• The need for support and advocacy during a high-risk pregnancy and birth
• Be with your baby as much as you can and take advantage of the help offered by friends and family.
• Advocate for your baby's care and communicate with the medical staff about your goals and concerns.
• Seek mental health support during and after a NICU stay.
• Focus on the milestones and progress your baby is making and celebrate each small victory.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

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Website: https://birthbabypodcast.transistor.fm/

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

• (00:00) - Introduction and Sponsor Message
• (01:04) - Introducing Jes and her Birth Stories
• (06:26) - Navigating the Challenges of Bed Rest and High Blood Pressure
• (14:38) - The Rollercoaster of Emotions in the NICU
• (34:25) - Navigating the NICU: Being Present and Seeking Support
• (37:45) - Advocating for Your Baby's Care in the NICU
• (45:37) - Addressing Mental Health During and After a NICU Stay
• (53:44) - Celebrating Milestones and Small Victories in the NICU