S2E16 | Preparing for Neonatal Care: Lizzie's NICU Story

This week, we're bringing you a special episode that sheds light on an important perspective. Join us as we speak with Lizzie, a mum-to-be who is about to start her NICU journey. At the time of recording, Lizzie was currently pregnant and knows that she is going to be spending some time in neonatal care with her baby. LIzzie reached out to me and asked if it would be helpful to share her story, her experiences and feelings. We are going to hopefully also do another episode with her once she has had her baby, to talk about how the experience was for her.  Lizzie's story is a testament to the varied paths to motherhood. As a solo mum who utilised a sperm donor, she underwent three rounds of IVF. Her journey included not just one, but two surgeries and the heart-wrenching experience of a miscarriage.  At the 10-week scan, Lizzie's reality took a new shape. She's a midwife herself, and her knowledge added depth to her experiences. Her baby was diagnosed with an abdominal wall defect known as exomphalos, creating a huge uncertainty for the rest of her pregnancy. Lizzie discusses how she has coped with the uncertainty, the anxiety, the grief and how she is preparing to start her journey as a NICU parent.  We explore topics such as:  Single Motherhood  IVF and Sperm donation Being a “geriatric” Mother Coping with a medical diagnosis  The importance of community  How to prepare for NICU  Bonding with your baby, in the womb and in NICU  Navigating the unknown  Lizzie's journey is just beginning, and she's preparing to step into the world of NICU. Her story is one of hope, uncertainty, strength, and community. As we conclude this episode, we invite you to join us in sending positive thoughts Lizzie's way as she embarks on this journey. We are hoping to catch up with Lizzie again in the future when she is home. We love engaging with our listeners! Don't forget to tag us on Instagram @miraclemoonuk when you're tuning in. Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected]. You can also find us on our website, www.miraclemoon.co.uk. A huge thank you to Emma at Cover My Bubble for supporting our podcast - you can find out more about all that Cover My Bubble offer at www.covermybubble.co.uk Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com