#NICU

Stress Management

REMEMBERING // I don't teach stress management for women to "feel calmer". Yes that's a wonderful side effect, but it goes so much deeper than that. When our physiological stress response is deactivated, we're able to do so much more, including be more present during doctors' visits and actually remember what they say. One study found that on average people remember only 49% of decisions and recommendations provided during their appointment! Can you imagine all the wrong info

The Power Of Silence

For many, being part of conversations about infertility, loss and miscarriage , high risk pregnancy, preterm delivery, life in the NICU, or parenting a child with medical needs can be uncomfortable. It's hard to hear about our favorite people struggling to grow their family. It's heartbreaking to hear about an innocent child's life threatened or gone too soon. So, we fill our discomfort with words. Advice, encouragement or stories we think will help. Sometimes they do. But mo

131: Comparing and Justifying Prevent Healing

Do you feel that you deserve to heal and feel better on your fertility journey? Do you feel like you deserve to be a mother and experience a healthier pregnancy? Do you feel like you deserve to grieve your losses and bring a baby home from the hospital? Of course, we say that we deserve these things, but the problem is that we battle an underlying feeling of unworthiness. In this episode... The qualifications we use to call ourselves “infertile” [3:20] How we, as women, allow

130: How to Prepare for a Preterm Delivery

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, so it’s a good time for us to discuss the basics. In today’s show, we’re talking about risk factors for preterm delivery and other information you need to know about this frightening experience. In this episode... Prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five across the world---and the rate in the US keeps rising. [1:47] A history of preterm delivery is the #1 risk factor for another preterm delivery. [6:51] Many me

When Fertility, Pregnancy or Birth Trauma is Misidentified

There is a very different relationship and bond between a woman and the baby she's carrying or a parent and the child they're caring for than any other relationship in this world. This applies to the love we have but also the fear we feel when lives are in danger. Why would we sleep well if we received a diagnosis that is threatening our baby's life? Why wouldn't we lash out at those closest to us when we feel scared that we might lose our baby? Why wouldn't we feel so anxi

114: Partner's Role in Decreasing Postpartum Depression

We all know how challenging and traumatic a stay in the NICU can be for new parents, but NICU isn’t the most common postpartum difficulty to be encountered. The postpartum journey is so different and so unexpected, that postpartum depression is actually the most common stressor. Most expectant parents think, “Oh, it won’t happen to me,” but the truth is that it’s more common than we realize. Let’s talk about how we can prepare ahead of time to minimize the chance of postpartu

112: Why "Don't Lose Hope" is Terrible Advice During Infertility, a High-Risk Pregnanc

"Don't lose hope" sounds like really supportive advice for anyone going through a difficult time in their life, right? It's positive, it's encouraging, it reminds us about the importance of hope in our abilities to find strength during the most trying of times. But for many women and couples going through infertility, a high-risk pregnancy, a NICU stay or parenting a child with medical complications...this is actually terrible advice, especially if they have to make an imposs

111: For the Type-A Person

There's a negative connotation placed on being Type-A. While there are more health issues that are tied to being Type-A (especially cardiovascular disease), there is also a tremendous benefit of being Type-A when you're going through infertility or a high-risk pregnancy. This episode of Delivering Miracles® is all about the Type-A person. I explain what this means, how this impacts your high-risk pregnancy, and what you can do to accommodate this. Listen on iTunes | L

107: It's Ok Not to Be Ok

Have you ever felt SO overwhelmed, exhausted and burned out by all of the challenges you're facing that you end up on the floor of your bathroom just sobbing? Ever told your friends and family that you're "fine" when you're totally not? Ever feel really resentful of other women, couples and families who have it so easy? They get pregnant easily, they have easy pregnancies, they have healthy, full term kids with no long term problems? I know I have and so has this week's guest

105: Surviving the First Few Weeks of New Motherhood

Having a newborn home is wonderful...but so much harder than mothers expect or prepare themselves for. On this episode, I speak with birth doula and postpartum educator Adriana Lozada on exactly how you can prepare for and get through the first few weeks after delivering a baby. Listen on iTunes | Listen on Stitcher | Listen on iHeartRadio Episode highlights... Parijat and Adriana talk about the reality of motherhood, it's difficulties and a true to life celebrity

104: Ending Avoidance

We all know avoiding important tasks isn't helpful. And yet we all do it, because, let's face it, it's easier than making that doctor's appointment, returning that phone call or doing the bloodwork. Did you know, avoidance builds up anxiety and ends up leaving you more stressed than the actual thing you're avoiding? On this episode I share with you how to end avoidance once and for all so you can get the health care and suppor that you need and deserve. Listen on iTunes |

101: When You Got What You Wished But You're Still Angry

Ever feel angry to the point when you get a baby shower invitation or hear about a birth announcement? Feel that anger bubbling up when you see perfect families with their perfect babies. Ever feel ridiculous that you still feel that way even though you're pregnant or have babies of your own? On this episode, I share with you why getting rid of that anger isn't the answer and what to do instead. Listen on iTunes | Listen on Stitcher | Listen on iHeartRadio Epi

098: Why Labels Matter

The words and labels that you use during your family-building challenges matter. They inform what important anchor points define your story and they validate your experiences. The more you use them, the more others will follow. On this episode, I share with you why we should stop hiding from the terminology that makes us feel seen and heard so we can create a community of support around us as we go through the challenges and then heal after they're all over. Listen on iTunes

097: Stop Telling Me to Get Over My Grief

We have to stop playing the Loss Olympics. Too often we undercut and minimize our own grief to our own detriment, and laying the foundation for anxiety and depression. Loss is loss. You do not have to justify it or compare it to anyone else's loss for it to be valid. Let's change the conversation around loss to be more empowering and supportive! Join me! Listen on iTunes | Listen on Stitcher | Listen on iHeartRadio Episode highlights... We learn the story of a

096: Essentials and Gifts for NICU Parents

The NICU is an overwhelming, scary place that feels like a world away from the rest of the world. Whether you're expecting to spend time in the NICU or it came as a surprise, it takes time to adjust to the pace and the life of the parenting in the NICU. On this episode, I share some of the items that were essential for me to keep my sanity and help me through our 109 day NICU stay. Plus, I share with you ideas for gifts to give loved ones who have a baby in the NICU. Listen o

095: Postpartum Nutrition for Postpartum Healing - Interview with Lily Nichols

You made your birth plan. You have your nursery all decorated and ready for baby. You have a closet filled with tiny clothes for your new tiny human. You know who your pediatrician will be and have your carseat all installed ready to bring home your little miracle. Most women have all of that covered well before their due date. But are you prepared for the postpartum period? Specifically, are you prepared for how you're going to keep yourself nourished while you take care of

094: How to Trust the Right People During Infertility, a High-Risk Pregnancy and in the NICU

It's hard to know who to trust when you're going through a life-altering experience like infertility, high-risk pregnancy or a baby in the NICU. Your doctors are sharing all kinds of scary statistics, Google one-ups them with even scarier stories. You might have met women in online forums or on Facebook who have been through what you're going through...but can you really trust them? Maybe yes, maybe not. But how do you know? On this episode, I share with you how to know who t

093: Dealing with the Loss of a Child

Losing a child, no matter how far along in the pregnancy you were or how old the child was, is one of the hardest experiences a parent can go through in their life. On this episode, I chat with my friend and colleague Dr. Tara May, a grief coach and psychologist who experienced a loss herself and has made it her life's mission to support women and couples through their grief journey after the death of their child. Listen on iTunes | Listen on Stitcher | Listen

080: Ending Avoidance

078: Miracles During a High-Risk Pregnancy

A high-risk pregnancy is a uniquely difficult time because of the emotional and physical intensity. Within a short 40 weeks - sometimes less - you might hear difficult news, have to make impossible decisions all while feeling the weight of being responsible for another life. You hope for a miracle and yet you aren't sure if you'll be lucky enough to experience one. On this episode, I share with you why I believe everyone one of us has the power to create miracles during a hig