Navigating NICU and Beyond: Insights from Lottie of Leo's Neonatal

This week, we're honoured to have a truly inspirational guest on The Miracle Moon Podcast: Lottie, the driving force behind Leo's Neonatal, a charity that provides crucial support for NICU parents based in the North East. Lottie's journey is one of resilience, strength, and determination, as she opens up about her personal experiences and the vital work her charity does.

Living with Loss and Navigating NICU

(Trigger warning- Baby Loss)

Lottie was pregnant with twins, Leo and Oscar, at 21 weeks, her waters broke around Leo. She delivered Leo at 24 weeks, and he passed away after 4 hours. Lottie's pregnancy journey continued and she gave birth to Oscar just 4 days later, at 25 weeks. In our conversation, Lottie sheds light on her experience of having a child in NICU for over 100 days. She discusses the challenges of managing respiratory issues, the rollercoaster of hospital visits, and the impact on her mental health.

Transitioning from NICU to home

The path from NICU to home comes with its own set of challenges, from health anxiety to the search for control in an unpredictable situation and we discuss all of the ways that it may feel on transitioning from hospital to home. Our conversation touches on various topics, including the need for control after NICU, health anxiety, how tricky “normal” experiences like baby groups are and the lasting impact on mental health

Leo's Neonatal: A Beacon of Support for NICU Parents in the North West

Lottie established Leo's Neonatal in honour of her son. This incredible charity offers a range of support services, including NICU-friendly baby groups, trauma-informed care, and peer and professional support for NICU parents. They also provide a much-needed space for baby loss support, an area often overlooked. Lottie highlights the wonderful work that Leo's Neonatal is doing, making a significant impact on the lives of NICU parents.

NICU Mental Health Awareness Week:

Lottie's dedication to supporting NICU parents extends to organizing NICU Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from September 18th, 2023. During this week, Leo's Neonatal will be raising awareness about the mental health challenges faced by NICU parents and offering ways for people to get involved and show their support.

To learn more about Leo's Neonatal and the incredible work they do, visit their website at leosneonatal.org or follow them on Instagram @leosneonatal. If you're in the North East, you can access their valuable support services through their website.

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