In this powerful episode of Ask a NICU Mama, hostAshley O'Neil sits down with Nicole Heidger, a courageous mother who shares her deeply personal journey through a traumatic birth, life in the NICU, and the heartbreaking loss of her son, Kannon. Nicole opens up about navigating grief,the lasting impact of insensitive comments, and how she found purpose through advocacy and community.

Together, they discuss the importance of honoring ourbabies, creating space for bereaved mothers, and pushing for meaningful changes in maternal health policies. This conversation is a tender reminder that through connection and shared stories, healing and hope are possible.

You can learn more about Nicole and her journey on Instagram @Kannonsmom

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host Ashley O'Neil speaks with Katie Taylor, co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call. They discuss the vital role of Child Life Specialists in supporting families navigating complex medical journeys, particularly in the NICU and PICU. Katie shares insights on bonding techniques for parents and siblings, the importance of open communication about medical procedures, and the emotional support provided during end-of-life situations. The conversation also touches on the creation of the Support Spot app, which aims to empower families with resources and tools for effective advocacy in healthcare settings. Additionally, they explore the importance of self-care for caregivers and the need for community among Child Life Specialists. Find Katie here -->

Website: Child Life On Call

🎧 Host of @childlifeoncall podcast

📲 @supportspot app for parents

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, host AshleyO'Neil speaks with Cindy Rahman, the CEO and president of March of Dimes. Cindy shares her journey with March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to improving maternal and infant health. She discusses the organization's history, its current focus on preterm birth and maternal mortality, and the importance of advocacy and community support. Cindyemphasizes the need for awareness and action to address the health crisis affecting moms and babies in the U.S. Through sharing personal stories and community events like March for Babies, the organization aims to foster connection and support among families while pushing for legislative change to improve health outcomes. You do not want to miss this episode!

www.marchofdimes.org

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil speaks with Latoya Blueford who shares her profound NICU journey with her daughter Skylar, who was born prematurely and faced numerous medicalchallenges. The discussion delves into the emotional rollercoaster of NICU life, the transition to home, and the heartbreaking experience of losing Skylar. LaToya reflects on her grief, the creation of The Skylar Project to support other NICU families, and the ongoing journey of healing. Thisconversation emphasizes the importance of community, support, and honoring the memory of lost loved ones. You do not want to miss this episode.

Website: theskylarproject.org

Instagram: the_skylarproject

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O’Neil speaks with Kristal Gaddes who opens up about her powerful journey through the NICU as a preemie mom. Together, we dive into the emotional and practical challenges parents face in the NICU, from navigating medical complexities and juggling family responsibilities, to theimportance of support systems and community. Kristal spends time reflecting on how her faith shaped her NICUexperience. We also compared the striking differences in maternity leave between the UK where Kristal lives andthe U.S. This is a conversation about resilience, love, and the strength of NICU families everywhere. You do not want to miss this episode.

Welcome to season 3! In this episode of the Ask a NICU MamaPodcast, host Ashley O’Neil speaks to Misti Staley, founder of the Freeman Foundation and the creator of the FreeArm. In this heartfelt conversation, Misti shares her journey as a mother to her son Freeman, who faced numerous medical challenges from birth. The discussion delves into the emotional and practical aspects of navigating the NICU and PICU, the profound grief of losing a child, and the ways Misti has turned her pain into purpose through advocacy and innovation. She reflects on the importance of family-centered care, the creation of a playground in Freeman's memory, and the development of a feeding device called the FreeArm. The conversation also touches on the ongoing nature of grief and the support systems that can help families cope with loss. You do not want to miss this episode!

Website: freearmcare.com

Instagram: freearm.tube.feeding.assistant

In the season 2 finale of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, hostAshley O'Neil and guest Katonya discuss the profound emotional journey of parenting a child with complex medical needs, particularly focusing on the grief experienced by NICU parents. They explore the various stages of grief,the challenges faced after discharge, and the importance of recognizing triggers and coping mechanisms. The conversation emphasizes the need for support, understanding, and the personal nature of grief, while alsohighlighting the transformative power of turning pain into purpose. You do not want to miss this episode!

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO'Neil speaks with Ebony Ford, a dedicated maternal health advocate and the Chair of the 2025 DC Promise Walk for Preeclampsia. She sheds light on Preeclampsia and HELLPSyndrome, discussing the importance of the Promise Walk and its impact. Ebony shares her inspiring story as a two-time survivor of preeclampsia. This discussion emphasizes the importance of awareness, early detection, self-advocacy, and the value of sharing birth trauma while fostering community support. The season 2 finale of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast will air next week, concluding an amazing season two! You do not want to miss the final two episodes!