In this week’s podcast episode, we share the audio from our recent Walking Letter of Hope Day virtual event featuring licensed therapist and birth trauma survivor Kayleigh Summers, known as The Birth Trauma Mama!

Kayleigh joins us to talk about the lasting impact of birth and NICU trauma, what healing can look like, and the hope that comes from sharing our stories in community. She offers gentle, trauma-informed insight into understanding trauma as a neurobiological response, navigating feelings of hyper-vigilance and grief after the NICU, and finding ways to honor your healing while caring for your child.

Kayleigh reminds us that trauma is treatable, healing takes time, and that hope can often be held by community until we’re ready to hold it ourselves.

As you listen, we hope you feel seen, validated, and reminded that your story — and your healing — are deeply significant. You are never alone in this sisterhood!

Kayleigh Summers is a licensed therapist, writer, and content expert in perinatal trauma. She uses her training as a licensed therapist and her lived experience as an Amniotic Fluid Embolism survivor to support families experiencing perinatal trauma. Kayleigh has also created thriving support communities through Instagram and Tik Tok, as well as her podcast, where she provides connection, story sharing, and resources to support those experiencing birth and other trauma. You can find her @thebirthtrauma_mama.

To get connected with Kayleigh:
Website | Instagram | TikTok

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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In this week’s podcast episode, Ashley and former and beloved podcast co-host Martha revisit an important conversation for our NICU sisterhood: understanding IEPs and how to advocate for your child in school.

This replay episode features special education expert Catherine Whitcher, founder of Master IEP Coach, who shares practical guidance on navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, partnering with your child’s school, and finding hope and empowerment in every step.

Catherine reminds us that while the paperwork and terminology can feel overwhelming, an IEP is not a label: it’s a tool to help your child learn, grow, and thrive in the ways that fit them best. She also offers reassurance for the emotional side of this journey, especially for NICU families who have already walked through so many labels, diagnoses, and milestones.

As you listen, we hope you feel encouraged, informed, and reminded that you are the expert on your child, and that you and your little one are always, always right on time.

About Catherine Whitcher M.Ed and Master IEP Coach

Catherine Whitcher, MEd, founder and CEO of Master IEP Coach®, experienced the struggles of the Special Education system both as a certified teacher and as a sister to a wonderful man with Down syndrome. For the past 25 years, she has been creating nationwide change in special education by assisting parents and teachers in developing IEPs that work in the real world. Catherine currently leads the largest independent organization nationwide of parents and teachers working together to build better special education outcomes for the real world. She’s an expert in conflict resolution and leadership at the IEP table while always keeping the focus on preparing every child for further education, employment, and independent living.

** This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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In Part 2 of Kristen’s story, Ashley and Aisha dive deeper into the unique “right on time” milestones that marked her and Amelia’s 11-month NICU journey!

Kristen shares about the courage it took to face a trach and heart procedure, and how Amelia’s progress has unfolded through what she calls “inchstones.” She opens up about the challenges of coming home with medical complexity, the bittersweet transition away from daily NICU staff, and the healing process that began after discharge.

Through honesty and vulnerability, Kristen reminds us of the power of a mother’s love, the importance of giving ourselves grace, and the hope that comes from celebrating every small step forward!

As you listen, may you be reminded that in and out of the NICU, you and your baby are always right on time.

• Read Kristen' letter here.
• Listen to Part 1 of Kristen's Story here.
• Pre-order Right On Time, our very first children’s board book, here!

To get connected with DNM:

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In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha are joined by Kristen, a NICU mom whose journey spans 11 months in the NICU, hospital transfers, heart surgery, and eventually a trach for her daughter, Amelia.

Kristen vulnerably shares about her water breaking at 23 weeks, the unexpected 11 weeks of hospital bedrest, and Amelia’s birth at 35 weeks. She describes the whirlwind of those first moments in the NICU, the grief of missed milestones, and the overwhelming emotions of watching her daughter fight for life.

This is part one of Kristen’s story: A moving reminder of the power of a mother’s love and the unique “right on time” moments that can be found even in the hardest seasons. As you listen, our hope is that you are reminded that you and your baby are and always will be, right on time!

• Read Kristen' letter here.
• Pre-order Right On Time, our very first children’s board book, here!

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha are joined once again by their dear friend Carrie for the long-awaited part two of her family’s story.

In part one, Carrie shared about her daughter Hattie’s unexpected NICU stay after being born full term. In this follow-up episode, Carrie opens up about life beyond the NICU: the years of waiting for the possibility of heart surgery, navigating the unknowns, and preparing Hattie for the big questions and procedures that lay ahead.

She vulnerably shares what it meant to parent through fear, the gift of therapy and community support, and the power of celebrating every small win along the way. Carrie also shares how her fierce advocacy helped ensure Hattie received life-saving care at just the right time, and how her family now carries a new sense of peace and gratitude on the other side of surgery!

As you listen to Carrie’s story, we hope it brings comfort and encouragement to any NICU or medical mama walking through seasons of waiting, advocating, or doing the “hard thing.” You and your baby are always, always right on time.

Pre-order Right On Time, our very first children’s board book, here!

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Support the show

In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha are joined by their dear friend and DNM team member, Kamille, for a heartfelt conversation about kindergarten milestones and what it means to parent COVID NICU babies now entering school.

Kamille and Aisha vulnerably share their journeys of navigating the NICU during the earliest days of the pandemic, balancing therapies and virtual care, and the emotions of sending their miracles off to kindergarten. Together, they reflect on the unique challenges of isolation, advocacy, and lingering NICU emotions that resurface during this milestone season.

This episode is a tender reminder that whether your child’s milestones look different, delayed, or unexpected, they are always right on time.

Pre-order Right On Time, our very first children’s board book, here!

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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WE'RE BACK! In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha return after a summer break to reflect on Walking Letter of Hope Day, share big back-to-school milestones, and give exciting Dear NICU Mama updates.

They also announce the release of Right On Time, Dear NICU Mama's very first children’s book. This book is a beautifully crafted children’s board book designed for NICU families, celebrating the unique milestones of every NICU graduate and the unwavering bond between parent and child. Pre-orders are available now!

Pre-order your copy here!

We are so excited to be back and cannot wait for the upcoming season of the podcast. Thank you for being a special part of this sisterhood!

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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Special thanks to one of our Walking Letter of Hope Day sponsors, Sanford Health! Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.

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In this week’s episode, we sit down with Carey, a remarkable NICU mom and cherished member of our Dear NICU Mama community and team. Carey vulnerably shares her story of an unexpected diagnosis of preeclampsia just days after moving across the country—and the delivery of her daughter Eliana at 29 weeks.

From navigating a 113-day NICU stay, including multiple heart surgeries and a G-tube journey, to processing the emotional weight of bonding, fear, and healing, Carey speaks with honesty and grace. She also reflects on the power of connection, sharing how Walking Letter of Hope Day led her to a life-changing friendship and helped her find her NICU sisters.

This episode is a gentle reminder that it’s okay to ask for help, to honor your capacity, and to trust that there is healing—and sisterhood—on the other side of NICU life. Whether you're in the thick of the NICU or reflecting years later, this episode will meet you right where you are.

To join us for walking letter of hope day, head here. To join us for our free virtual event, head here! Or learn more about the whole week’s celebration at dearnicumama.com/hope.

To get connected with DNM:
Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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