13 | The Motherwhelm with Rebecca | NICU, Air Ambulance Birth & Rural Motherhood

In this episode of The Motherwhelm, I sit down with Rebecca to talk about premature birth, life in the NICU, giving birth on an air ambulance, and motherhood in rural Australia.Rebecca is a mum of two and a clinical psychologist registrar specialising in perinatal mental health. She shares the extraordinary story of giving birth to her first daughter at 33 weeks' gestation aboard an air ambulance at 13,000 feet before beginning an unexpected journey through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).Living on a sheep and cattle farm in New England, NSW, Rebecca also reflects on the unique realities of raising a family in a rural community and the challenges many regional mothers face in accessing maternity and mental health care. Drawing on both her professional expertise and lived experience, we explore the importance of compassionate perinatal support, advocating for yourself, and finding strength through unexpected beginnings.Whether you've experienced premature birth, life in the NICU, or you're navigating motherhood in a rural or regional community, I hope Rebecca's story leaves you feeling seen, supported, and reminded of the resilience mothers carry through even the most extraordinary circumstances.You can connect with Rebecca on Instagram at @her_rural_psychologist.Topics discussed: NICU, premature birth, 33-week baby, air ambulance birth, aeromedical retrieval, rural motherhood, regional Australia, perinatal mental health, maternal mental health, NICU journey, psychologist, motherhood.