Trauma Mamas

Trauma Mamas
Podcast Description
Trauma Mamas is a podcast dedicated to the incredible families who navigate the ICU and raise children with medical complexities. These parents have faced the unimaginable—from premature births and life-saving surgeries to chronic illnesses, long ICU stays, and child loss. Each episode shares their stories of unwavering love and tireless advocacy, even when all hope seems lost. These powerful, inspiring stories deserve to be heard and celebrated. Trauma Mamas also provides resources, hope, and a sense of community for those who need it most. Through shared experiences and meaningful conversations, we aim to support parents who are fighting for their children’s health and well-being.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast revolves around themes of trauma, resilience, and hope, with episodes focusing on premature births, life-threatening complications, and the emotional impact of long ICU stays. Specific episodes include Kelsey's journey through 143 days in the NICU with her daughter Baylor, Tori sharing her experience with HELLP syndrome and raising her son Elias, and Andrea discussing her daughter Sienna's battle with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Trauma Mamas is a podcast dedicated to the incredible families who navigate the ICU and raise children with medical complexities. These parents have faced the unimaginable—from premature births and life-saving surgeries to chronic illnesses, long ICU stays, and child loss. Each episode shares their stories of unwavering love and tireless advocacy, even when all hope seems lost. These powerful, inspiring stories deserve to be heard and celebrated. Trauma Mamas also provides resources, hope, and a sense of community for those who need it most. Through shared experiences and meaningful conversations, we aim to support parents who are fighting for their children’s health and well-being.
This week, I’m joined by Erin. She’s an involved and empathetic NICU mom who just gets it. We talk candidly about what it was like to live in the ICU, the weight of advocating for your child, the emotional whiplash of NICU life, and how those challenges don’t magically end after discharge.
Erin shares what it’s been like raising her funny, sweet son, born at just 24 weeks, and what life looks like now as a preteen. We talk about the ongoing obstacles he’s overcome, including BPD and restrictive airway disease. We talk about how NICU trauma can linger long after the monitors stop beeping.
Erin explains how that trauma can resurface years later, and how therapy, community, and finding your people—especially fellow medical moms who truly understand, can make all the difference. Erin has beautifully turned her pain into purpose through her nonprofit photography business, Capturing Courage, offering free sessions to NICU families in Columbus, Ohio. She also serves on the executive committee of the BPD Collaborative, working to improve outcomes and support for families of medically complex children.
This is as real and lighthearted as it gets in the world of Trauma-Mama-ing. Erin and her son have overcome so much, and her story is a testament to resilience, healing, and finding meaning in the mess.
Whether you’re in the thick of it or years past discharge—you’ll feel like we get you.
We’re a mess, you’re a mess, you know we’re a mess, and we all know it. 😆😉 And it’s going to be okay. 👍🏻

Disclaimer
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