12 | The Motherwhelm with Kaitlyn | NICU, PTSD & Maternal Mental Health

In this episode of The Motherwhelm, I sit down with Kaitlyn to talk about giving birth at 27 weeks, life in the NICU, PTSD, maternal mental health, and finding strength through the unexpected.Kaitlyn shares the story of her daughter, Gianna, who was born at just 27 weeks' gestation, and reflects on the emotional realities of becoming a mother in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She opens up about the lasting impact of the NICU experience, navigating PTSD, prioritising her mental health, and the role medication played in her recovery.Together, we explore the resilience it takes to adapt when motherhood begins differently than expected, learning to pivot through uncertainty, and finding hope in even the most challenging seasons. Kaitlyn also shares her experience with exclusive pumping, advocating for her daughter, and the unwavering love that carried her family through their NICU journey.Whether you've experienced premature birth, life in the NICU, NICU PTSD, or you're supporting someone through a difficult start to parenthood, I hope Kaitlyn's story reminds you that healing is possible and that strength often grows in the places we never expected.You can connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram at @themothergoodblog.Topics discussed: NICU, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, premature birth, 27-week baby, PTSD, maternal mental health, postpartum mental health, medication, exclusive pumping, NICU journey, resilience, parent advocacy, motherhood.