Episode 141: Calling All NICU Dads of Big Families

March 4, 2026
Dads of big families, welcome to the group chat. Fundraiser and father of 6, including two NICU babies, Scott Whitaker shares how he embraced his role as a NICU dad, his clutch advice for other NICU dads (big or small families) and his honest reaction when his wife said she wanted to have another baby after their 44-day NICU stay.

In this episode, we chat about:

  • Scott describes the fear and helplessness of an emergency C-section, and the moment he became a NICU dad.

  • The silent worries Scott carried while his son fought through the NICU, and what he didn’t always say out loud.

  • How the strain of premature birth led Scott and Kathryn to marriage counseling — and what that meant for Scott as a husband.

  • Facing another pregnancy after trauma, supporting a planned VBAC, and working through lingering fears.

  • How the NICU changed Scott as a father of a big family, and the advice he now offers other NICU dads walking a similar road.

About the guest

Scott Whitaker Hand to Hold Scott Whitaker, a Texas native, is the dad of six children, young adult and married to elementary, and has been married to Kathryn almost 30 years. He is the director of stewardship and development for the Catholic Diocese of Austin and previously served as President of the Hand to Hold board. On social media, they each share their honest take on family life and marriage, all while eating BBQ, cheering on the Texas Aggies and hiking national parks.

 

 

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