NICU Today: A podcast by Today is a Good Day

Today is a Good Day
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NICU Today: A podcast by Today is a Good Day

A podcast to bring you a new point of support as you navigate your NICU journey. TODAY is a Good Day is here to be a part of your conversations. These are personal stories from people who have been there.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Dr. Adrianne Rahde Bischoff | Advancing Neonatal Care Through Hemodynamics Expertise

    In this episode of the NICU Today Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Adrianne Rahde Bischoff, a neonatal hemodynamics specialist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics-Neonatology. Originally from Brazil, Dr. Bischoff earned her medical degree from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul and completed her pediatric residency there. She went on to pursue advanced training in neonatal-perinatal medicine at the University of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, followed by a specialization in neonatal hemodynamics at the University of Iowa. Dr. Bischoff’s work focuses on advancing research, education, and care for critically ill neonates, with a particular emphasis on the cardiovascular health of NICU babies. As an active member of the PanAmerican Hemodynamics Collaborative and a council member of the Midwest Society for Pediatric Research, she is at the forefront of this evolving field. On today’s episode: What neonatal hemodynamics is and why it’s important for NICU babiesUnderstanding terms like "low blood pressure" and "heart function" in the NICU contextThe role of neonatal hemodynamics in managing PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) and pulmonary hypertensionHow parents can advocate for their baby’s care when neonatal hemodynamics isn’t available at their hospitalRecent advancements in neonatal hemodynamics that are improving NICU outcomesDr. Bischoff’s passion for neonatal care shines through as she discusses how this specialized field is transforming the way we support the tiniest and most vulnerable patients. This episode is an essential listen for parents and caregivers seeking to better understand the complexities of NICU care and the innovative approaches shaping its future.

    25 min

  2. 12/29/2024

    Miracle Pelayo | Defying the Odds and Advocating for Disability Inclusion

    In this episode of the NICU Today Podcast, we are joined by Miracle Pelayo, a talented actor, model, fashion content creator, and passionate advocate for the disabled community. Miracle’s inspiring journey began as a NICU Miracle herself, born at just 23 weeks and weighing only 1 pound, 12 ounces—later dropping to 14 ounces. Despite being given only a 5% chance of survival, Miracle defied the odds, living up to her name and thriving in ways that continue to inspire those around her. Today, Miracle is best known for her work on Nickelodeon’s Bella and the Bulldogs, Con Man with Alan Tudyk, and as the voice of “Lily,” the first American Girl Doll with Cerebral Palsy, in the American Girl Doll: The Travel TwinsYouTube series. Her career and advocacy stem from a pivotal moment at age 12 when she realized the need for authentic representation of disabled characters in media and vowed to make a change. On today’s episode: Miracle shares her personal journey as a NICU survivor and how she overcame incredible odds to live a thriving life.The origin story of her name and what her parents endured during her NICU stay.Key therapies and resources that were instrumental in her development.Her advice for parents navigating special education programs for their children.How she broke barriers to build a career in acting and modeling as a person with a disability.A glimpse into her current life and her mission to inspire hope and advocate for authentic representation in the media.Encouraging words for parents currently walking through the NICU journey. Miracle’s story is one of resilience, representation, and hope. Her advocacy reminds us of the power of believing in the impossible and championing a world where everyone’s unique journey is celebrated. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and insights into navigating life’s challenges with strength and purpose.

    22 min

  3. 12/22/2024

    Chloe Ciferri | Helping Families & Honoring Babies, One Step at a Time

    In this episode of the NICU Today Podcast, we are joined by Chloe Ciferri, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Adalyn Rose Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting families who experience the loss of a child during pregnancy, infancy, or early childhood. Inspired by her own loss of her daughter Adalyn in 2017, Chloe and her husband, Adam, launched the foundation on what would have been Adalyn's second birthday. Chloe has since dedicated her life to helping families navigate the unimaginable, leaving her teaching career to lead the organization full-time. Chloe is also a proud mother to three living children: TJ (6), Enzo (5), and Elle (3). Her work through the Adalyn Rose Foundation focuses on providing comprehensive and continuous care for grieving families, offering hope and resources during one of life’s most challenging experiences. On today’s episode: Chloe shares her family’s story, including the profound impact of losing Adalyn.The founding of the Adalyn Rose Foundation and the initiatives inspired by Chloe’s personal journey.A look into the programs and resources the foundation offers to support grieving families.Advice for families navigating the loss of a child and finding a path forward.How the Adalyn Rose Foundation collaborates with hospitals and how families can access assistance, regardless of where they deliver.Insights into Chloe’s mission to ensure no family grieves alone and her vision for the future of the foundation. Chloe’s story and the work of the Adalyn Rose Foundation shine a light on the power of turning personal grief into a mission of support and healing. This heartfelt episode offers education, empathy, and a message of hope to families and advocates alike.

    24 min

  4. 12/15/2024

    Jessica Dashevsky | When the Provider Becomes the Patient: Perinatal Care from Both Perspectives

    In this episode of the NICU Today Podcast, we are joined by Jessica Dashevsky, a mental health provider specializing in perinatal care, who brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal resilience to her work. Jessica’s journey to motherhood includes profound challenges—five pregnancy losses, a complicated rainbow pregnancy, the trauma of NICU life, and navigating her own postpartum health struggles. Through these experiences, Jessica has dedicated herself to supporting families facing fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and perinatal mood disorders. Jessica’s professional background includes overseeing the Maternity Care Coalition's Family Therapy program, as well as extensive training with Postpartum Society International and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Her story of hope and perseverance is both inspiring and educational. On today’s episode: Jessica shares her family’s journey to starting a family, including the emotional toll of pregnancy loss and fertility treatments.Her experience navigating a high-risk pregnancy and the birth of her NICU miracle, Vera.Coping with her own health challenges postpartum while balancing the needs of her older child during the NICU journey.How her expertise in perinatal mental health informed her perspective during these challenges.Vera’s progress today and how early intervention has played a role in her journey.Advice and insights for families facing similar struggles. Jessica’s story is a testament to the strength of families navigating complex medical journeys and the importance of mental health support in these moments. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking understanding, hope, and guidance in the face of fertility and NICU challenges.

    19 min

  5. 12/08/2024

    Stephanie Lee Jackson | Designing Inclusive Spaces for Healing and Connection

    In this episode of the NICU Today Podcast, we are joined by Stephanie Lee Jackson, founder of Practical Sanctuary, Sensory Interior Design, where art and healing merge to transform spaces into supportive environments for all neurotypes. With a background as an internationally exhibited fine artist and a massage therapist specializing in pain relief, Stephanie brings a unique perspective on how neuroscience can shape interior design to promote focus, healing, and emotional regulation. Stephanie’s mission stems from her personal connection as a highly sensitive person with friends and family on the autism spectrum. Her upcoming book, The Eccentric Genius Habitat Intervention: Interior Design for Highly Sensitive People, is set to release in 2024 and explores creating spaces tailored to individual needs. On today’s episode: Stephanie shares the personal and professional journey that inspired her work in sensory interior design.Defining neurodiversity and why inclusive design matters.Exploring the connection between your environment and your health.How Stephanie helps families design spaces that support neurodivergent needs.The benefits adults can gain from making intentional changes to their surroundings.Challenges with universal standard design and how to overcome them.Insights into how design can impact learning, relationships, and emotional well-being. Stephanie’s expertise highlights the transformative impact of sensory-focused design, offering practical strategies to create spaces that promote healing, connection, and inclusivity for individuals of all neurotypes. This episode provides valuable insights into how intentional design can improve well-being and foster supportive environments for everyone.

    19 min

  6. 12/01/2024

    Dr. Kristin Meyer | Early Intervention Strategies for Success

    In this episode of the NICU Today Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Kristin K. Meyer, a dedicated advocate, educator, and leader in special education. As co-founder of The REACH Group and with over 15 years of classroom experience, Dr. Meyer empowers parents to navigate the often-complicated special education process. From her work as an Educational Advocate at The Arc of Chester County to serving as Program Supervisor at Vanguard School, she has committed her career to ensuring positive educational outcomes for students with disabilities. On today’s episode: Dr. Meyer shares the personal and professional journey that inspired her advocacy work.Explaining the difference between Early Intervention services and the Intermediate Unit.Recognizing how developmental delays impact physical, social, and emotional behaviors.Identifying early signs of academic struggles in children and differences between boys and girls.Key questions parents can ask to stay actively involved in their child’s education.Tips for forming strong partnerships with school teams during the early school years.Discussing whether parents can be "too proactive" and the importance of timely evaluations.Dr. Meyer’s insights on advocating for families and fostering positive educational experiences. Dr. Meyer’s wealth of knowledge provides parents with the tools and confidence to advocate for their children and build collaborative relationships with educators. If you’re navigating Early Intervention, special education, or IEP processes, this episode is a must-listen.

    35 min

  7. 11/24/2024

    Dr. Stefanie Lopacinski | Navigating the NICU During the Holidays

    In this episode of the NICU Today Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Stefanie Lopacinski, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Women’s Wellness of Abington. With nearly 20 years of experience in supporting women through reproductive, perinatal, and postpartum life changes, Dr. Lopacinski is a trusted expert and returning guest. Today, she joins us to discuss the unique challenges NICU families face during the holiday season, sharing compassionate advice for navigating the emotional complexities that arise. On today’s episode: Dr. Lopacinski offers support for parents spending their baby’s first holiday in the NICU.Tips for managing family expectations, from navigating texts and messages to handling requests for NICU visits and FaceTime calls.Balancing time between the NICU and children at home, especially during the busy holiday season.Advice for families who want to celebrate but aren’t ready for visitors if their baby is home before a holiday.Ideas for couples looking to stay connected with loved ones while focusing on their immediate family’s needs.Key advice for NICU parents seeking peace and balance through the holiday season. Tune in for Dr. Lopacinski’s insightful guidance on maintaining connection and emotional well-being during the holidays, even in the midst of a NICU journey. Whether you’re a NICU parent or a loved one seeking ways to offer support, this episode provides valuable tools for navigating the season with care.

    27 min

  8. 11/17/2024

    Chelsea Petrosky | EMDR Therapy for NICU Parents and Trauma Survivors

    In this episode of the NICU Today Podcast, Martha is joined by Chelsea Petrosky, a Certified Trauma Therapist with over 13 years of experience supporting survivors of trauma. Chelsea is the founder of Chelsea Petrosky Therapy, LLC, where she offers EMDR Therapy and Trauma Healing Services, focusing on survivors of complex trauma, intimate partner abuse, maternal and pregnancy trauma, birth trauma, and traumatic grief. Chelsea is also a NICU mom, having navigated the NICU journey with her youngest son, Nathaniel, who is now two years old. Her personal experiences as a mother drive her commitment to supporting others through pregnancy and birth-related trauma. On today’s episode: Chelsea shares her family’s personal journey through the NICU with her son Nathaniel.Daily resilience: How Chelsea coped with the emotional challenges of being in the NICU and her advice for others currently going through the experience.Career insights: Chelsea discusses her path to becoming a trauma therapist and why this work is so important to her.Understanding EMDR: Chelsea explains Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and how it aids in trauma healing.Deciding if EMDR is right for you: Tips for those considering EMDR therapy and insights on who may benefit from this treatment.Resources for trauma healing: Information on where listeners can learn more about Chelsea’s practice and the support she offers. Join us for an enlightening conversation with Chelsea, offering practical guidance and hope for NICU parents and trauma survivors alike. Whether you’re interested in trauma therapy or looking for support in the NICU journey, this episode provides meaningful insights and inspiration.

    27 min
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A podcast to bring you a new point of support as you navigate your NICU journey. TODAY is a Good Day is here to be a part of your conversations. These are personal stories from people who have been there.

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