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In this conversation, Leah and Parijat Deshpande explore the profound impact of high-risk pregnancies and NICU experiences on parents. Parijat shares her personal journey through a traumatic pregnancy and the lessons learned about intentional living, relationships, and the importance of grieving. They discuss the role of healthcare professionals in supporting NICU families and the need for radical acceptance and mindful presence during such challenging times. The conversation emphasizes the normalization of trauma and the ongoing nature of grief as parents navigate their new realities. In this conversation, Parijat shares her experiences and insights on navigating the emotional landscape of being a parent in the NICU. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting feelings of anxiety and fear as normal reactions to abnormal situations. The discussion highlights the need for empowerment through knowledge, the significance of addressing basic needs during trauma recovery, and the healing potential of trauma informed somatic therapy. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the importance of finding hope amidst uncertainty and the shared journey of NICU families.

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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In this episode of The Incubator Podcast, Ben and Daphna host Fabiana Bacchini, Executive Director of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF) and author of From Surviving to Thriving: A Mother's Journey Through Infertility, Loss, and Miracles. Fabiana shares her deeply personal journey of becoming an advocate for premature babies and their families after spending five months in the NICU with her son, Gabriel. Her transformative experience with family-integrated care inspired her mission to ensure parents are empowered to play an active role in their baby’s care.

Fabiana highlights the vital importance of parent involvement in the NICU, discussing how the CPBF provides education, support, and advocacy for families. She shares the foundation's initiatives, including their global educational platform, "Preemie Chats," and the recent launch of a research engagement platform to connect parents and researchers.

The conversation delves into the cultural and systemic challenges of engaging parents, from NICU policies labeling parents as visitors to addressing barriers like parental leave. Fabiana passionately advocates for recognizing parents as partners in care, emphasizing that empowering families not only benefits babies’ outcomes but also strengthens long-term parental confidence.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to improving neonatal care, as Fabiana’s insights and advocacy provide an inspiring call to action.

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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In this engaging conversation, Dr. Emin Maltepe shares his journey as a neonatologist and physician scientist, discussing the serendipitous events that shaped his research interests, particularly in hypoxia and drug development for neonatology. He reflects on the importance of mentorship, the challenges of drug development in pediatrics, and the MD-PhD pathway, providing insights into the complexities of balancing clinical practice with research. In this conversation, Emin Maltepe discusses his journey through the MD-PhD program and how it shaped his career in pediatric drug development. He highlights the significant challenges faced in developing therapeutics for pediatric populations, particularly preterm infants, and the lack of attention and funding in this area. Emin shares insights into his innovative approaches to drug and device development, including collaborations with global organizations and the importance of using appropriate animal models. He emphasizes the need for policy advocacy and business knowledge in the field of pediatric therapeutics, while also reflecting on the personal challenges and rewards of balancing family life with a demanding career.

Resources mentioned in episode:

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.124.048264

https://journals.lww.com/shockjournal/fulltext/2024/07000/omx__a_novel_oxygen_delivery_biotherapeutic.14.aspx

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-36653-9

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-021-00866-y

https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.2005924

Episode Webpage Link:

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

Enjoy!