The NICU Space by Miracle Moon

Miracle Moon
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If you are a NICU parent, past, present or future, this podcast is here to support you through it all. Hosted by Dr Frankie Harrison a Clinical Psychologist and NICU mum who runs Miracle Moon and The NICU space CIC. I am here to talk about all things NICU, birth trauma, and the emotional impact on us as parents. I interview parents and professionals in the field with the aim of supporting NICU parents, wherever you are on this journey to feel less alone.

  1. Baby Loss at 36 Weeks: Helena’s Story of Grief, Stillbirth & Healing

    Jun 3

    Baby Loss at 36 Weeks: Helena’s Story of Grief, Stillbirth & Healing

    In this episode, I’m joined by Helena Morais, bereaved mother, writer, speaker and founder of Maila’s Present. Helena shares the story of her daughter Maila, who died just before birth at 36 weeks and 5 days following undiagnosed pre-eclampsia and stillbirth. We talk about the trauma and shock of baby loss, navigating grief after stillbirth, and the importance of helping parents feel connected to their baby after death. Helena also shares how her experience led her to create Maila’s Present, alongside her work advocating for better bereavement care, greater awareness around Black maternal health, and more compassionate support for grieving families. In this episode, we talk about: Stillbirth at 36 weeks and the trauma of losing a baby before birthPre-eclampsia, maternity care and Black maternal health disparitiesGrief, detachment and bonding after baby lossThe importance of memory making and bereavement support after stillbirthParenting after loss, spirituality, and keeping a connection with your baby Resources & links mentioned in this episode: The NICU Space Community⁠⁠ An online support space for NICU parents at all stages of their journey. Inside you’ll find specialist resources, coping tools and connection with parents who understand what this experience can feel like. Maila’s Present Personalised storybooks and resources created to help families honour and remember their babies after loss. Legacy of Leo Support for LGBTQ+ families experiencing baby loss. Ebony Bonds Bereavement Support Support for Black families experiencing baby loss and bereavement. Muslim Bereavement Support Service Bereavement support for Muslim families. Stay connected Instagram: ⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠miraclemoon.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ The NICU Space community: ⁠The NICU Space⁠⁠⁠ Connect with our guest, Helena Morais Instagram: ⁠@mailaspresent⁠ LinkedIn: Helena Morais One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

    54 min
  2. Pregnancy Loss, Premature Birth & NICU: Naomi’s Journey to Triplets S4E69

    May 20

    Pregnancy Loss, Premature Birth & NICU: Naomi’s Journey to Triplets S4E69

    In this episode, I’m joined by Naomi, who shares her deeply personal journey through pregnancy loss, losing twins, and later giving birth to triplets who required neonatal care. We talk about the emotional complexity of grieving while still being pregnant, and what it’s like stepping into the NICU after such a layered experience. Naomi opens up about navigating fear, hope, and survival mode all at once, and how her journey has shaped her as a mother. We also explore the lasting impact of loss alongside neonatal care, and why so many parents feel caught between grief and gratitude. In this episode, we talk about: Pregnancy loss and the experience of losing twinsNavigating pregnancy after loss and the emotional toll it bringsGiving birth to triplets and entering the NICUThe complex mix of grief, gratitude, and survival modeHow loss and neonatal care can shape identity and motherhood Resources & links mentioned in this episode: The NICU Space Community⁠⁠ An online support space for NICU parents at all stages of their journey. Inside you’ll find specialist resources, coping tools and connection with parents who understand what this experience can feel like. Tommy’s Research on C-section scars & premature births https://www.tommys.org/about-us/news-views/new-research-reveals-clues-about-link-between-some-c-section-scars-and Stay connected Instagram: ⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠miraclemoon.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠The NICU Space community: ⁠The NICU Space⁠⁠⁠ Connect with our guest, Naomi Instagram: @fenfamfitnessandtriplets One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

    1h 16m
  3. What IVF, Pregnancy Loss & NICU Really Do to Your Mental Health S4E68

    May 6

    What IVF, Pregnancy Loss & NICU Really Do to Your Mental Health S4E68

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Julianne Boutaleb, a perinatal psychologist specialising in fertility, reproductive trauma, and perinatal mental health. We explore the often-overlooked emotional impact of fertility struggles, IVF, pregnancy loss, and how these experiences can intersect with neonatal care (NICU). We talk about reproductive trauma, disenfranchised grief, and the concept of the “reproductive story” and why so many parents feel stuck in survival mode long after their baby is here. This conversation explores identity, shame, and the layered impact of fertility and NICU experiences on mental health and parenthood. In this episode, we talk about: What reproductive trauma is and how fertility, IVF and NICU experiences build over timePregnancy loss, miscarriage and disenfranchised griefThe “reproductive story” and disrupted expectations of parenthoodWhy many parents feel stuck in survival mode after NICUIdentity, shame and the long-term mental health impact of fertility journeys Resources & links mentioned in this episode: ⁠⁠The NICU Space Community⁠⁠ An online support space for NICU parents at all stages of their journey. Inside you’ll find specialist resources, coping tools and connection with parents who understand what this experience can feel like. Make Birth Better Article- Is My Baby Affected by Birth Trauma and What Can I Do to Help? https://www.makebirthbetter.org/blog/is-my-baby-affected-by-birth-trauma Rescripted Article: Parenting After Infertility: Do We Ever Truly Move on from Fertility Trauma?https://rescripted.com/posts/parenting-after-infertility-do-we-ever-truly-move-on-from-fertility-trauma Stay connected Instagram: ⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠miraclemoon.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The NICU Space community: ⁠The NICU Space Connect with our guest, Dr. Julianne Boutaleb Instagram: @parenthoodinmind One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

    53 min
  4. NICU Twins, Single Motherhood & Survival Mode: Danielle’s Story of Trauma, Resilience and Healing S4E67

    Apr 22

    NICU Twins, Single Motherhood & Survival Mode: Danielle’s Story of Trauma, Resilience and Healing S4E67

    In this episode, Danielle joins me to share her journey through infertility, pregnancy with triplets, vanishing twin syndrome, and the premature birth of her twin girls during COVID. We talk about the trauma of unexpected early labour, being separated from her babies after birth, and the emotional reality of navigating NICU life with twins. Danielle also opens up about how the experience impacted her relationship, led to single motherhood, and how she now manages the ongoing stress of raising three children while navigating a recent Type 1 diabetes diagnosis for one of her daughters. In this episode, we talk about: Infertility, pregnancy with triplets, and vanishing twin syndromeThe premature birth of twins during COVID and NICU separation traumaHow NICU experiences can impact relationships and identityThe realities of single motherhood after neonatal careLiving in survival mode while parenting three young childrenNavigating a new Type 1 diabetes diagnosis after NICU trauma Resources & links mentioned in this episode: The NICU Space Community: An online support space for NICU parents at all stages of their journey. Inside you’ll find specialist resources, coping tools and connection with parents who understand what this experience can feel like. Stay connected Instagram:⁠ ⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠miraclemoon.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠The NICU Space community: ⁠The NICU Space⁠⁠⁠ Connect with our guest, Danielle Instagram: @Surthrivalmode  One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

    55 min
  5. Why NICU Parents Stay in Survival Mode: Trauma, Hypervigilance & Healing S4E66

    Apr 8

    Why NICU Parents Stay in Survival Mode: Trauma, Hypervigilance & Healing S4E66

    In this episode, I’m joined by Lottie from Leo’s Neonatal and NICU Neuroscience to explore what happens in the brain and body during and after neonatal care. We talk about the NICU nervous system response, what survival mode actually means, and why hyper vigilance, snapping, overthinking, and the inability to switch off make so much sense after trauma. We also explore matrescence, the neuroscience of becoming a parent, and how neonatal care can shape identity, stress responses, and long-term wellbeing. Lottie and I discuss why so many NICU parents feel stuck in survival mode long after discharge, how trauma can show up physically in the body, and the powerful role of validation, community, and nervous system support in healing. In this episode, we talk about: ⁠The NICU Space Community⁠An online support space for NICU parents at all stages of their journey. Inside you’ll find specialist resources, coping tools and connection with parents who understand what this experience can feel like. The NICU Parent Handbook A new resource I’ve created to help parents make sense of the thoughts and feelings that often follow neonatal care. It explores common experiences like guilt, grief, hypervigilance and anxiety, alongside practical tools to help parents cope. Coming soon. Stay connected Instagram: ⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠ Website: ⁠⁠miraclemoon.co.uk⁠⁠⁠ The NICU Space community: ⁠The NICU Space⁠⁠ @nicu_neuroscience One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

    47 min
  6. Premature Birth, Autism & ADHD: A NICU Mum’s Journey into Neurodivergence S4E65

    Mar 25

    Premature Birth, Autism & ADHD: A NICU Mum’s Journey into Neurodivergence S4E65

    In this episode, I’m joined by Hayley, NICU mum and creator behind The SEN and Prem Mum, who shares her experience of premature birth during COVID, her daughter’s neonatal journey, and the path to discovering autism and ADHD within her family. We talk about Hayley’s experience of severe preeclampsia and delivering at 29 weeks, alongside her daughter’s autism diagnosis and her own late diagnosis of ADHD and autism. We explore the complex overlap between prematurity, trauma, and neurodivergence, as well as the realities of parenting neurodivergent children while navigating sensory overwhelm and finding support. In this episode, we talk about: Premature birth at 29 weeks due to severe preeclampsiaNICU experiences, separation after birth, and early emotional impactRecognising early signs of autism and navigating diagnosisThe overlap between prematurity, trauma, autism, and ADHDReceiving a late diagnosis of autism and ADHD as a parentParenting neurodivergent children and managing sensory overwhelm Resources & links mentioned in this episode: The NICU Space CommunityAn online support space for NICU parents at all stages of their journey. Inside you’ll find specialist resources, coping tools and connection with parents who understand what this experience can feel like. The NICU Parent HandbookA new resource I’ve created to help parents make sense of the thoughts and feelings that often follow neonatal care. It explores common experiences like guilt, grief, hypervigilance and anxiety, alongside practical tools to help parents cope. Coming soon. Stay connected Instagram: @miraclemoonuk Website: ⁠miraclemoon.co.uk⁠ The NICU Space community: ⁠The NICU Space⁠ Connect with our guest, Hayley Instagram: @the_sen_and_prem_mum One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

    39 min
  7. Life After NICU: Managing Anxiety, Trauma, and Hypervigilance after Neonatal Care S4E64

    Mar 13

    Life After NICU: Managing Anxiety, Trauma, and Hypervigilance after Neonatal Care S4E64

    In this episode, Lorna Tallowin, NICU parent and founder of Super Dinky, turns the questions back to me, inviting me to share my own NICU journey. We talk about my pregnancy, delivering unexpectedly at 31 weeks, and what the early weeks in neonatal intensive care were like. We also explore survival mode, dissociation, ongoing anxiety, and the identity shift that comes with being a NICU parent. Lorna and I discuss why community, validation, and psychological support are so important for parents after NICU, and the gaps that still exist in care. In this episode, we talk about: My premature birth at 31 weeks and early NICU experiencesSurvival mode, dissociation, and emotional overwhelmOngoing anxiety, hypervigilance, and health-related worry after NICUGuilt, grief, and the pressure to “make it up” to your childThe importance of community and validation for NICU parentsHow Miracle Moon began and grew from lived experience Resources & links mentioned in this episode: The NICU Space Community An online support space for NICU parents at all stages of their journey. Inside you’ll find specialist resources, coping tools and connection with parents who understand what this experience can feel like. The NICU Parent Handbook A new resource I’ve created to help parents make sense of the thoughts and feelings that often follow neonatal care. It explores common experiences like guilt, grief, hypervigilance and anxiety, alongside practical tools to help parents cope. Coming soon. Super Dinky Founded by Lorna, NICU Mum and Beth NICU nurse, @superdinky creates meaningful products for NICU families while raising awareness of the experience and helping parents feel part of a wider community. SuperDinky - Premature Baby Clothes and NICU support based in the UK Stay Connected Instagram: @miraclemoonuk Website: miraclemoon.co.uk The NICU Space community: The NICU Space One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

    1h 2m

  8. 12/21/2025

    From 2 NICU Babies to Charity Founder: Ola from Colourful Beginnings | S3E63

    Before we mention today’s guest – a quick update about The NICU Space Podcast. Today’s episode wraps up season 3, and we’re going to be taking a short break over Christmas and early 2026. We hope that you and your family also manage a restful time over Christmas, whatever that looks like for you. Today’s guest, Ola, is the founder of the charity “Colourful Beginnings”, which she created after having two premature babies in NICU. The charity does so much good work to support other NICU parents, primarily around sending out “treasure boxes” of things the parents can keep and know that they are being thought of. She joins us to talk through her experiences in NICU, how the charity got started and the work that they do to help others going through the same. In this episode, we’re chatting about: - Ola’s experiences of having her first child at 23 weeks and her second at 29 weeks - The disbelief and shock she went through on learning she was pregnant for a second time - What led to her creating the charity, Colourful Beginnings - The Colourful Beginnings treasure boxes and how the charity works to support other NICU parents 💌 Check out the full show notes for this episode here, where you can find timestamps, a transcript and any links or resources we think are relevant to this episode. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, reach out to us on Instagram or shoot us an email at hello@miraclemoon.co.uk. 🎧 We love engaging with our listeners! Share a screenshot of this episode and 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.

    38 min
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About

If you are a NICU parent, past, present or future, this podcast is here to support you through it all. Hosted by Dr Frankie Harrison a Clinical Psychologist and NICU mum who runs Miracle Moon and The NICU space CIC. I am here to talk about all things NICU, birth trauma, and the emotional impact on us as parents. I interview parents and professionals in the field with the aim of supporting NICU parents, wherever you are on this journey to feel less alone.

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