Ep. 382: 8 Things Your NICU Nurse Wants You to Know with Brooke Smith

Ep. 382: 8 Things Your NICU Nurse Wants You to Know with Brooke Smith

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe welcomes Brooke Smith, a seasoned NICU nurse, IBCLC, doula, and childbirth educator, to shine a light on what life in the NICU really looks like for families. Together, they unpack practical tips for navigating the beeping machines and medical jargon while still staying connected to your baby in meaningful ways. Brooke shares strategies for coping during this overwhelming season, advocating for your baby, and building confidence in your parental instincts.

This conversation also explores the importance of effective communication with NICU staff, why self-care is non-negotiable for parents, and how practices like primary nursing can support your family’s journey. HeHe and Brooke also talk through emotional resilience and what to expect as you transition home after the NICU.

This episode is a must-listen for parents preparing for, currently in, or healing after a NICU stay. You’ll walk away with reassurance, tools, and encouragement to help you feel informed and empowered—no matter what the NICU brings.

00:00 Trust Your Instincts and Seek Support

01:03 Welcome to The Birth Lounge Podcast

01:08 Introducing The Birth Lounge App

01:29 Features of The Birth Lounge App

04:51 NICU Awareness Month

05:46 Interview with NICU Nurse Brooke Smith

07:30 Understanding the NICU Experience

12:16 Tips for NICU Parents

22:25 Bonding with Your NICU Baby

31:18 Communicating with Your NICU Team

37:28 Navigating Medical Decisions in the NICU

39:37 Navigating High-Risk Pregnancy Decisions

40:19 The Importance of Early Conversations

42:50 Advocating for Your Baby in the NICU

46:05 The Role of Primary Nursing in NICU

52:47 Emotional Support for NICU Parents

01:00:20 Transitioning Home from the NICU

01:07:07 Supporting NICU Families as Friends and Family

01:08:55 Final Thoughts and Resources

Guest Bio:

Brooke has been a NICU nurse for 8 years. After her first Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Brooke decided to pursue nursing and obtained her second Bachelor’s degree in nursing. She started her career at a Level 4 NICU in her home state of Florida, where she worked for 3.5 years and learned a lot as a new nurse. She then began to travel nurse in 2021, and has since worked in 9 different NICUs in 5 states across the U.S. She also has been a doula and childbirth educator since 2022, and IBCLC since 2023. She met her husband in Maryland while travel nursing in 2021, and now resides in Maryland with her husband Chris, two dogs Ruby and Penny, and their first baby on the way due in October.

INSTAGRAM:

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BIRTH EDUCATION:

Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

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40: Perineum Massage with Mandy Rempfer-Kuncio ​

40: Perineum Massage with Mandy Rempfer-Kuncio ​

Today, Mandy Rempfer-Kuncio joins HeHe to get real about perineum Massage as prep for childbirth. Mandy is sharing her tips for pelvic floor health, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, painful sex, and menopausal hormone changes. Mandy has created a program that is focused on perineum massage and she's sharing some pretty scary stats that are behind her drive to change the world of pelvic floor education! Happy Tuesday, yal!      Shownotes:   Chekc out the blog!

10 Heinä 201852min

39: Friday Free Talk: What It's Like

39: Friday Free Talk: What It's Like

HeHe is diving into what it's like to work with her as your doula. She loves to tell people about birth and educating people so they can take control of their own birth. She talks about why each piece of the puzzle in important when preparing for your birth. She's sharing her secret formula of wedding planner + physical trainer + hiking guide to create the perfect balance to the TBH approach!    Shownotes: Check out the Blog!

6 Heinä 201813min

38: Exploring Endometriosis, Emotions, and Sex Therapy with Carli Blau

38: Exploring Endometriosis, Emotions, and Sex Therapy with Carli Blau

Description: HeHe is sitting down with Carli Blau, aka The Sex Doc Carli, to talk about all things endometriosis, the impact of mindset on your health, the emotions that arise for so many people plus the perspective that your partner might be experiencing! Carli shares about her own infertility struggles and what it's like to face the highest highs, but also the lowest lows. We are also diving into how sex therapy can be an amazing support and resource for couples or people experiencing infertility. She bring honest truth, hilarity, and an edgy energy to an otherwise heavy topic! Happy Tuesday, yal!    Huge congrats to Carli and her husband on their newly announced pregnancy! Ps. She was pregnant when we recorded and I had to hang on to that big secret! So excited for you, friend!    Shownotes:   Blog: honestlynaked.com   Website: carliblau.com   Instagram: @sexdoccarli   Email:  cabtherapy@gmail.com

3 Heinä 20181h 5min

37: Friday Free Talk: Bullying in the Birth World, Part 2: Advocating for Yourself

37: Friday Free Talk: Bullying in the Birth World, Part 2: Advocating for Yourself

WARNING: Talk about traumatic birth  In this episode, HeHe gets down and dirty with manipulation in the birth world. She sheds light on toxic relationships and the impact they can have on someone's birthing experience. She will also share her favorite resources to help you get honest, evidence-based information and practices, plus she shares stories that she has witnessed of parents facing unacceptable care. Before you walk away, she will tell you the 5 most important things to do to advocate for yourself and stay in control of your birth. Happy friday,yal!

29 Kesä 201835min

36: Dressing Intentionally for Pregnancy and Beyond with Helena Grant

36: Dressing Intentionally for Pregnancy and Beyond with Helena Grant

Finding the right style for your ever-changing body can be hard. From trying to conceive to dressing the bump to your postpartum body, fashion can have a profound impact on the way that you feel and take on each day! HeHe is chatting with Helena Grant, founder of HGrant Style, and the creative genius behind the Wardrobe Capsule! She is here to give you all the in's and out's, how-to's, and yummy goodness concerning style for all stages of being a mom! Helena's energy will come bursting through your speakers and light your life up in a way that you didn't know was possible!    Shownotes: Check out the blog!

27 Kesä 201859min

35: Free Friday Talk: Bullying in the Birth World Part 1: My Story

35: Free Friday Talk: Bullying in the Birth World Part 1: My Story

WARNING: Talk of suicide  HeHe has been building her Tranquility Tribe and #tbhbirthing since 2016! But, it wasn't always rainbows and butterflies. HeHe has been bullied by a doula right here in the city of Boston--a doula in her own community! That's right, today HeHe is diving into the harassment and online abuse that she has endured and is sharing a glimpse into other stories of doulas being bullied. Through sharing her story, she is raising awareness to an all too common problem, plus helping you prepare to set boundaries and stay in control of the energy surrounding your pregnancy and birth. Join HeHe as she uncovers and shines light on bullying happening the birth world and in her own backyard of Boston! She's sharing her raw thoughts in this one!    Shownotes:  Check out the blog!

22 Kesä 201838min

34:  Introducing your fur baby to your human baby with Danielle Engel

34: Introducing your fur baby to your human baby with Danielle Engel

n this episode, HeHe sits down with Danielle Engel, founder of For The Love Of Paws Boston, to discuss how to prepare your fur children for the birth of your baby. It is easily forgotten that a new baby will disrupt your pet's life, too. Danielle tells her tips and tricks for helping your cats and dogs with the transition even before the baby arrives. From setting boundaries to cleaning out cat litter, we chat about it all! See ya there! Happy Tuesday!      Shownotes:    Check out the blog!

19 Kesä 201832min

33: Free Friday Talk: Overnights with a Newborn  Inbox x

33: Free Friday Talk: Overnights with a Newborn Inbox x

Transition to life with a newborn can be a challenging one! HeHe dives into her role as a postpartum doula to help you ease bringing your newborn home. She is sharing the top 4 things she has learned while supporting new parents with overnight care. From sleep deprivation to life lessons she has learned along the way, HeHe is spilling the beans on what the first few nights at home after having a baby might look like for you!

15 Kesä 201815min

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