Episode 109: Riding the Emotional NICU Rollercoaster

August 7, 2024

Guest: Dr. Jess Daigle, Physician & Postpartum Expert

The NICU rollercoaster of emotions is real. NICU mom, pediatrician, hospitalist and postpartum expert Dr. Jess Daigle speaks from experience when she shares how to put in better boundaries, understand your baby and take care of yourself while helping both you, and your baby, thrive.

In this episode, we chat about:

    • Dr. Daigle’s experience as a NICU mom and some pivotal things she experienced as she rode the rollercoaster.
    • What from her own NICU experience served her best when she began serving as the medical director of a Level II NICU
    • How Mom & Me serves families and what makes the program unique, particularly with moms of color, as they learn to navigate postpartum or life after a NICU admission
    • Boundaries a new mom can put in place to mitigate the NICU rollercoaster
    • Dr. Daigle’s advice to a mom who feels lost in her own life after a NICU admission, whether she’s weeks, months or years past her stay

Resources mentioned

About the guest

jess daigle, hand to hold nicu babies parent support podcast, Dr. Jessica Daigle, “Dr. Jess,” is a board-certified pediatrician, neonatal/pediatric hospitalist, and Founder/CEO of Mom & Me MD. She is the proud mother of two kids both born prematurely, with one staying in the NICU for five weeks. She has a concierge medical practice in Atlanta, Ga., that provides in-home and virtual care services to NICU babies and their families, with focus on education and support to make the transition home from the NICU easier and less overwhelming. She also offers life coaching for NICU moms to help them balance life after the NICU and be the confident mom they want to be. She has been featured on many podcasts and is a co-author with 46 other women physicians in “Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs Practicing Medicine and Living Life on Their Own Terms.” Dr. Daigle is passionate about patient care and experience, and advocates for NICU and postpartum mothers and their families. She believes moms and their babies should thrive, not only survive, on their postpartum NICU journey and beyond. She lives in South Atlanta with her husband and two children.

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