NICU Birth Story: From APGAR 0 to Thriving Toddler

**TRIGGER WARNING**

NICU and Birth Trauma

This week Tempestt shares Abel’s NICU birth story for NICU Awareness Month. We talk through a marathon labor, an epidural that didn’t take, meconium and a knotted cord, an initial APGAR of 0, and the urgent move to the NICU. We cover the first hours with CPAP, donor milk, temperature goals, and discharge after 24 hours. We also reflect on trauma, healing, and why hospital NICUs save lives. If you’re a NICU parent and want to share your story, reach out — we’d love to have you on.

00:00 Welcome and weekly check-in

01:12 Sleep regressions and teething updates

03:14 Social battery, motherhood, and filling your cup

07:40 Why we are sharing this now for NICU Awareness Month

08:30 Trigger warning and start of Abel’s birth story

10:47 Triage delays and the epidural saga

14:23 Pitocin, shivering, and pain management

17:25 Pushing at +2 station and meds wearing off

19:17 Meconium, cord around neck twice, APGAR 0

22:06 NICU transfer, CPAP, and first hours

25:26 Skin-to-skin, donor milk, and stabilization

28:02 Temperature goals and discharge at 24 hours

29:07 Looking back: anxiety, development, and healing

31:29 Why hospital NICUs matter

33:33 Costs, length of stay, and different NICU journeys

38:39 Invitation to share your story and closing