During the NICU journey, it is difficult to see past the moment right in front of you - the next call from the doctor, your baby’s next heel prick, head ultrasound, or car seat test. The NICU experience can feel never-ending. The days seem to run into each other until the big day arrives when they finally say ‘your baby is going home.’ However, as you will hear on this episode, going home brings on a whole new set of challenges and experiences. On this episode, we are speaking with Renee and Alex Archawski to discuss what it’s like post-NICU (many years later) when your preemie becomes taller than you and what it feels like to look back at your NICU experience after so many years.

On this episode you will hear:

• Renee & Alex's journey to parenthood

• How they navigated the NICU, not once but twice

• Their experience in the NICU

• The things they wish they knew going into their NICU journey

• Looking back, what advice they would give to other families now that their 1st NICU miracle is a teenager

• The questions they thought of asking, while undergoing their NICU journey, but avoided asking because of fear or anxiety while in the NICU

• Alex's experience, from a dad’s perspective, in the NICU

• Alex's advice to other dads navigating a NICU journey

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com).  Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.

One of the most important aspects of a parent’s role in the NICU is to be an advocate for their baby. This advocacy starts with the NICU Nurse caring for your child. Building a good relationship will help you during the NICU journey. Most importantly, establishing open communication with your nurses helps your baby’s overall care. Learn ways to open up about what you need from your baby’s nurse as we talk with Maryann Malloy, Nurse Manager at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia.

On this episode you will hear:

• How long Maryann has been a nurse and why she choose the NICU

• What Maryann wants to share with families who spend time in the NICU

• Maryann describes her process behind working with families who have recently had premature babies v. families who have recently had full term babies with complications

• A time when Maryann made a strong connection with a family that was going through a NICU journey

• The first question Maryann suggests families ask when beginning a NICU journey

• Mental health issues can sneak up on us, especially after such a difficult loss, Maryann discusses some of the emotional roadblocks that parents going through a NICU journey should be careful about

• Why Maryann recommends that families keep a journal while undergoing their NICU journey

• The common myths that Maryann hears from families in the NICU, and the advice she has for overcoming those myths

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com). Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.

On this episode, we discuss why our family founded TODAY is a Good Day and the life-long friendship that sparked a fire to help others during their NICU Experience. In 2010, Rachel Marzario and Martha Sharkey (Co-founder of TODAY is a Good Day and host of the podcast) were on bedrest at the same time. They did not know each other, but they were both pregnant with twin girls. Their daughters were born just 8 days apart. Little did they know how their lives would intertwine developing a lifelong friendship for their families. This important friendship is the foundation for one of Today is a Good Day’s most important pillars: Fostering a connection among parents.

On this episode you will hear:

• Martha and Paul Sharkey’s journey and why they founded TODAY is a Good Day

• The experiences that stood out most to Rachel, about her pregnancy journey and welcoming her baby girls

• How Rachel dealt with saying goodbye to her baby girl, Jenna, and how she continued to stay strong for her baby girl, Samantha

• How Samantha is doing today

• Advice for other families navigating the NICU

• How Rachel's experience as a PICU nurse impacted her personal journey through the NICU

• The importance of Rachel and Martha's friendship - what Rachel remembers the most about their friendship during the NICU

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com). Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.