S2E17 | Being a NICU nurse: A Conversation with Beth of Superdinky

Being a NICU nurse: A Conversation with Beth of Superdinky Tune in to this episode of The Miracle Moon Podcast, where we have the privilege of speaking with Beth, one half of Superdinky. Beth talks about her multitude of experiences – from her personal experiences with postnatal depression and complex PTSD following the loss of her son Tom, just before he turned 2 years old to her role as a neonatal nurse and co-founder of Superdinky.  (Trigger warning- Child loss) From Mum to Neonatal Nurse Beth started her journey into parenthood with the struggle of postnatal depression, loss of her child, Tom at age 2 and further mental health issues such as complex PTSD. Beth decided that she wanted to give back and support others as a result of her experiences and trained as a neonatal nurse. She has now worked in some of the country's largest NICUs and is currently bereavement lead in the special care baby unit where she currently works.  Guiding Parents Through the NICU Journey In this episode, Beth shares her insights into NICU nursing, the nuances of her role as a bereavement lead, and the importance of collaboration between parents and medical staff. She offers invaluable advice on navigating the complexities of NICU, including protecting oneself from the emotional toll. Embracing Compassion and Kindness Throughout our conversation, Beth emphasises the importance of compassion and kindness in the NICU community. From the overwhelming experience of navigating PTSD and coping with loss, Beth shares her experience on finding the right support, moving from unhelpful to helpful coping skills and fostering self-kindness. Beth sheds light on the neonatal nursing crisis, emphasising the challenges nurses face in an emotionally demanding environment. She highlights the importance of teamwork, debriefs, and the significance of caring not just for babies but for entire families. Superdinky: Spreading Joy and Compassion Beth and her business partner Lorna (NICU Mum) launched Superdinky in 2020, a venture driven by their desire to bring joy to NICU parents. Superdinky creates adorable vests for NICU babies, offering a sense of normalcy and empowerment to parents in a challenging environment. Beth speaks passionately about their mission to spread awareness about NICU and provide support through their unique pay-it-forward scheme, you can find out more and pay it forward here: Premature Baby Clothes | Superdinky and follow them @superdinkyuk. 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