The NICU Space by Miracle Moon

In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Lowther-Payne, a non-birthing mum in a two-mum family, to talk honestly about her experience of becoming a parent after a challenging IVF journey and unexpectedly finding herself in neonatal care. Jess shares the compound impact of IVF, grief and trauma followed by an intense NICU and PICU experience, and how this affected her mental health, identity and confidence as a parent.
We also explore the unique challenges non-birthing parents and LGBTQ+ families can face in neonatal care, from feeling invisible or excluded to struggling to access appropriate perinatal mental health support. Jess shares what she has learnt about bonding and trauma since leaving NICU, as well as the work she is now doing to advocate for more inclusive and compassionate support for all families.

In this episode, we talk about:
The compound emotional impact of IVF, trauma and an unexpected NICU experience
Jess’s experience of neonatal care as a non-birthing mum in a two-mum family
How NICU affected her identity, confidence, bonding and mental health after discharge
The barriers non-birthing parents can face when trying to access perinatal mental health support
How neonatal services can better support and include LGBTQ+ parents and families

Resources & links mentioned in this episode:

The NICU Space
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.

LGBT Mummies
Free resources and guidance for professionals supporting LGBTQ+ families, including information around inclusive communication and language.

Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships (MNVPs)
Local partnerships that give families the opportunity to share their experiences and help shape maternity and neonatal services.

Parent Advisory Groups (PAGs)
Groups that give parents and families the opportunity to use their lived experience to help improve neonatal services and care.

Stay connected
Instagram: @miraclemoonuk
Website: miraclemoon.co.uk

Connect with our guest, Jessica Lowther-Payne
LinkedIn

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In this episode, I'm joined by paediatric occupational therapist and fellow NICU mum, Anandé, to explore how neonatal care can shape not only a baby's development, but also the emotional wellbeing of parents and the whole family. Anandè shares her personal experience of two NICU journeys, including a traumatic hospital fire during her second son's admission, and how therapy helped her navigate pregnancy after trauma and advocate for her baby in ways she couldn't the first time.
Together, we explore the powerful role of play, sensory development and nervous system regulation after NICU. We discuss why play isn't another parenting task to tick off, how premature birth and neonatal care can influence sensory processing, and why understanding both your child's sensory needs and your own can make everyday family life feel more connected and less overwhelming.

In this episode, we talk about:
Anandé's experience of two NICU journeys and becoming a NICU parent twice
How therapy supported healing after birth trauma and neonatal care
Why play is essential for connection, regulation and child development after NICU
How premature birth and NICU can influence sensory development and processing
Practical ways parents can better understand their own nervous system and their child's sensory needs

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.

Beyond Beeps and Hums Podcast
Anandé's podcast exploring early development, parenthood and the lived experience of families navigating NICU and medically complex beginnings.

Stay connected
Instagram: ⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠miraclemoon.co.uk⁠⁠
The NICU Space community: The NICU Space

Connect with our guest, Anandé
Instagram: @playmoreot
NICU Instagram: @beyondbeepsandhum
Podcast: Beyond Beeps and Hums

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In this episode, I’m joined by Carly Costello, licensed therapist, EMDR-certified therapist and consultant, to answer one of the most common questions I hear from parents after birth trauma and neonatal care: What is EMDR, and how does it actually work? Together, we break down the science behind Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) in a simple, accessible way and explore how it can help people process traumatic experiences without reliving them.

We talk about common fears surrounding EMDR, including worries about "opening Pandora's box", whether EMDR is safe during pregnancy, and how trauma can remain "stuck" in the nervous system long after birth or NICU. Carly explains why EMDR isn't just for PTSD or major trauma, how it can help parents, partners and families affected by birth trauma and neonatal care, and what to expect if you're considering starting therapy.

In this episode, we talk about:
What EMDR therapy is and how it helps process birth trauma and NICU experiences
Why trauma can stay "stuck" in the nervous system and how EMDR supports healing
Common myths about EMDR, including pregnancy and "opening Pandora's box"
How EMDR can help parents, partners and families after traumatic birth and neonatal care
What to expect in an EMDR session and how to find the right EMDR therapist

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.
EMDRIA (EMDR International Association)
A directory to help you find trained and certified EMDR therapists.

Stay connected
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠miraclemoon.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
The NICU Space community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The NICU Space

Connect with our guest, Carly Costello
Instagram: @emdrwithcarly
Website: www.emdrwithcarly.com

One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Teela Tomassetti, who shares her deeply personal experience of birth trauma, medical neglect and obstetric violence. Teela opens up about the traumatic birth of her daughter, the lasting physical and emotional impact of feeling unheard during labour, and how these experiences shaped both her personal life and professional work supporting survivors of reproductive trauma.

We explore what birth trauma really is, how trauma affects the nervous system long after birth, and why partners can experience trauma too. Teela also introduces the principles of narrative therapy, sharing practical ways parents can begin to separate themselves from their trauma and move towards healing after difficult birth experiences.

In this episode, we talk about:
Birth trauma, medical neglect and obstetric violence
How birth trauma can affect the nervous system, relationships and intimacy
Why partners can experience trauma and PTSD after witnessing a traumatic birth
The long-term emotional impact of traumatic birth experiences
How narrative therapy can support healing and help parents reclaim their story

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, Teela
Instagram: @theteaonbirthtrauma
Website: Reproductive & Perinatal Trauma Center

One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️

In this episode, I’m joined by Mary Jenner, paediatric nurse, founder of The Butterfly Pig, and advocate for reducing medical trauma in children. After experiencing her own daughter’s NICU stay following a traumatic birth, Mary saw first-hand how play can help children understand, process and cope with complex medical experiences.

We talk about supporting NICU siblings, preparing children for hospital visits and medical procedures, and how play can reduce fear, anxiety and trauma. Mary shares practical strategies parents can use to help children make sense of medical experiences, advocate for their needs, and feel more involved in their care.

How play helps children process NICU experiences and medical trauma
Supporting siblings when a baby is in neonatal care
Preparing children for hospital visits, blood tests and medical procedures
Recognising signs of medical anxiety and trauma in children
Practical ways parents can help children feel safer, more informed and empowered in healthcare settings

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 Butterfly Pig
Medical play resources, realistic medical toys and educational tools designed to help children understand, prepare for and process healthcare experiences.

Playful Prescriptions
A free app that provides age-appropriate play ideas to help children understand medical conditions, diagnoses and healthcare experiences.

Stay connected
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@miraclemoonuk⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠miraclemoon.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
The NICU Space community: ⁠⁠The NICU Space

Connect with our guest, Mary Jenner
Instagram: @thebutterflypig
Website: The Butterfly Pig

One last thing! Help us spread the word by leaving a review and subscribing...that way, you won't miss a single episode. ⭐️