BDA Baby (Before, During and After Baby)

• Trauma, Understanding and Keeping your Cool with Mary Farrelly, the NICU Translator

  In this powerful conversation, I sat down with Mary Farrelly, a NICU nurse and NICU doula behind the Instagram community "The NICU Translator." With over 13 years of experience caring for the tiniest patients and their families, Mary shares the realities of NICU life that most people never see as well as the critical gaps in care that exist when families finally go home. We explore the unexpected journey that leads families into the NICU, the overwhelming medical jargon that becomes their new language, and the tight-knit community that forms in those hospital rooms. Mary opens up about the staggering statistics: up to 70% of NICU families experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and 40% show clinical PTSD symptoms. These numbers far higher than the general postpartum population. But this isn't just about the challenges. Mary discusses the incredible work being done to bridge the gaps in NICU care, from her role as a NICU doula supporting families through discharge and beyond, to the community she's built online where parents find translation, understanding, and solidarity. We talk about why partners and siblings are also deeply affected, how trauma shows up months or even years later, and why specialized mental health support is essential for healing. Whether you've experienced the NICU yourself, supported someone through it, or simply want to understand this hidden world of healthcare, this episode offers an eye-opening look at the resilience of NICU families and the angels who walk alongside them. Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

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• Keeping Our Kids Safe on the Road with The Car Mom

  Kelly Stumpe, aka the Car Mom, joined us for a conversation all about choosing the right vehicle and car seats for your family. She emphasizes the importance of safety, practicality, and long-term planning. We get into what the different safety ratings mean and how to decide what are the right priorities for your specific family. We also touch on car seat safety and the best practices for keeping kids safe while we travel!  Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

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• Justine Marjan’s Birth Experience

  We sat down with Justine Marjan to talk all about her experience giving birth. At the time, we were in the height of the COVID pandemic, and many were having to shift their expectations for what birth would be for them. Justine shared her own experience, explaining how she prepared for childbirth and adapted to COVID precautions for her birth team. Justine also shares how she relied on her midwife and doula and their role in her birth. No two births are the same, and Justine encourages all moms to lean into the experience and trust their instincts.   Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

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• Mike Rosenthal’s Journey to Fatherhood Through Surrogacy

  In this episode, Mike Rosenthal joined us to discuss his and his wife’s journey to parenthood through surrogacy. Mike shares the decision-making process behind choosing surrogacy, and all the highs and lows along the way to welcoming their new baby. Mike gets to share the dad’s perspective of becoming a parent, and how he has felt stepping into fatherhood. Each path to parenthood in unique, and Mike shares his story to show other parents that they are not alone in their unique journey.   Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

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• Fertility, Egg Freezing, and Hormone Health: What You’re Not Hearing on Social Media

  Fertility isn’t one-size-fits-all—and in this episode, we’re diving into the real conversations many women are having when it comes to planning for a family. Whether you’re considering freezing your eggs or embryos, navigating a PCOS or endometriosis diagnosis, or facing sperm-related challenges with a partner or donor, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and science-backed insight.  Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a leading fertility specialist and reproductive endocrinologist, joins us to break down the latest research and help debunk the myths running rampant online. We also explore how hormone imbalances, insulin resistance, and even new medications like GLP-1s (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.) can play a surprising role in reproductive health.    It’s the kind of candid, informative chat we all wish we had before hitting “follow” on another fertility myth. If you’re thinking about your reproductive future or just want to better understand your body, take a listen!  Buy The Lucky Egg here: https://amzn.to/3JZ9pbg Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

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