NICU Dad Discussions Hand to Hold

This podcast was recorded live at Hand to Hold's 2021 NICU Community Conference. To learn more or register for Hand to Hold's 2022 NICU Community conference, visit handtohold.org/conference. 
Panel presenter Dr. Singley is a San Diego-based board-certified psychologist and Director of The Center for Men’s
Excellence. His research and practice focus on men’s mental health with a particular emphasis on reproductive psychology and the transition to fatherhood.  
This panel discussion will begin with a brief overview of key research on factors that impact the mental health of fathers of babies in the NICU. The presenter will facilitate a panel of fathers who have experienced being parents in the NICU so as to hear their stories about support and barriers.
Guests include Andrew Shaw, creator of Instafather and author, and Alex Zavala, founder of http://thenicudad.com/

In this episode, Steve shares his son, Liam's, NICU journey with host David Winsman. Prioritizing self-care helped both Steve and his wife grieve and honor their son in heaven. Steve shares how he has changed since Liam's NICU journey and gives advice to other NICU parents. 
In this episode, Steve mentions his wife, Kelly's business. Shop Kelly's business here. 

NICU dad and author Adam Wood shares his NICU story of his son's delivery at just 25 weeks, the feelings of guilt and failure he felt in not being able to protect his wife and child, and how he's bringing NICU parents together with his book, My Preemie Adventures.

NICU dad Fabian Tejedor shares his story of having a micro preemie daughter in 2002, the anxiety of his wife's high-risk pregnancy after loss, and how he and his wife have learned to adjust their expectations at each stage of their daughter's life, from birth to the teen years. 

Troy tells the story of wife, Rebecca, going into pre-term labor during the pandemic, as well as being in the NICU with COVID precautions in place. He describes the emotional toll of not being able to see his daughter in the NICU for three weeks. 

Henry and Alex discuss his experience of his wife being on bedrest then giving birth to their twins in the NICU. They also speak about how having a micropreemie changed Henry's outlook of being in the NICU. Henry describes how he navigated his NICU experience and the challenges facing his sons during the NICU stay and after.