EBB 356 - NICU-Informed Doulas: What Are They, And How Can They Change the NICU narrative? with Mary Farrelly, RN, Doula, and Founder of the NICU Translator

Evidence Based Birth®

Rebecca Dekker

Pregnancy, Health & Fitness, Childbirth, Parenting, Birth, Medicine, Kids & Family, Doula, Obstetrician, Midwife

4.6 • 978 Ratings

🗓️ 23 April 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Navigating a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience can be overwhelming and emotionally taxing. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Mary Farrelly, a certified NICU nurse, doula nurse educator, and founder of The NICU Translator

. With over a decade of experience in a Level 4 NICU, Mary shares how families can find empowerment and confidence in the NICU.

Mary discusses the importance of emotional, social, and informational support for families, and how NICU-informed doulas can play a critical role in bridging the gap between parents and medical teams. From understanding the different levels of NICU care to navigating postpartum challenges, Mary offers compassionate and practical guidance. Learn how early preparation, trauma-informed care, and advocacy can make a difference in the NICU experience. Plus, Mary provides actionable tips for doulas supporting families through this journey.

(03:18) Discovering the Path to NICU Nursing

(06:16) Emotional Impact of NICU Nursing and Family Connections

(11:25) Understanding NICU Levels of Care and Medical Needs

(17:57) Staffing Shortages and Challenges in NICU Care

(21:48) Families' Most Common Questions: "When Can My Baby Go Home?"

(25:02) Transitioning from NICU to Home and Navigating Anxiety

(29:11) Parental Mental Health and PTSD After a NICU Stay

(33:14) The Role of NICU-Informed Doulas in Supporting Families

(39:08) Effective Support Strategies for NICU Families

(45:52) Resources for NICU Families and Doulas

Resources:

Connect with Mary Farrelly on Instagram: @thenicutranslator
Visit The NICU Translator website: www.thenicutranslator.com
Download the free NICU Birth Plan template: www.thenicutranslator.myflodesk.com/birthplan

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi everyone. On today's podcast, we're going to talk with Mary Farrelly, a certified
0:05.1	NICU nurse and founder of the NICU Translator, about how Doola can support families as they
0:11.3	navigate the NICU. Welcome to the Evidence-Based Birth Podcast. My name is Rebecca Decker,
0:20.1	and I'm a nurse with my PhD and the founder of evidence-based birth. Join me each week as we work together to get evidence-based information into the hands of families and professionals around the world. As a reminder, this information is not medical advice. See eBbirth.com slash disclaimer for more details.
0:41.9	Hi everyone, the countdown is on. On Tuesday, April 29, we're hosting a live 90-minute
0:49.6	signature training and Q&A where we're tackling one of the most controversial yet critical topics in
0:55.1	newborn care, vitamin K.
0:57.9	If you've ever wondered about the research evidence on vitamin K and how that stacks up against
1:02.2	the myths and misinformation surrounding this subject, this is the training you need to attend.
1:07.8	We're bringing evidence-based facts to the conversation and giving you the space to
1:11.7	ask your biggest questions. But here's the key. This April training is exclusive to evidence-based
1:17.8	birth pro members. Right now, you can join the EBB Pro membership for just $29 for your first month,
1:24.1	and lock in a special discounted rate if you decide to stay past your first month.
1:28.3	Not only will you get access to the signature training on vitamin K on April 29,
1:33.3	but you'll also unlock courses with up to 27 nursing contact hours, 18 contact hours that can be applied to the
1:40.3	CPM and CNM credentials, D dual mentorship calls, midwife mentorship calls,
1:46.2	a library of printer-friendly PDFs to share with your clients, and a supportive community
1:50.6	where you can ask questions from our research team. So are you signed up yet? Go to eBbirth.com
1:56.4	to join today for only $29 and get your invite to our signature training on vitamin
2:02.0	K. I hope to see you on Tuesday, April 29. And as a heads up, if you missed the signature
2:07.5	training or can't make it, our pro members always have access to the recordings. Today I am so
2:13.4	excited to welcome an expert guest to the EBB podcast. Mary Farrely is a certified
	...

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