The Premie Pod

How has it been 6 months already?! We have done so much in such a small amount of time! We have had incredible guests, ranging from mums to dads to healthcare professionals! We have coordinated a massive fundraiser where we raised $18,500 in 3 weeks for Red Nose Australia!! We have so much more to come, stay tuned.... Love,Kirsty, Dimitty & Meg @thepremiepod on all platforms [email protected]

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses infant loss and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which may be distressing to some listeners. Please prioritise your wellbeing and take a break if needed.If you or someone you know is impacted by the loss of a baby or child, please know you are not alone. Support is available.📞 Red Nose Grief & Loss Support Line: 1300 308 307 (24/7)In this heartfelt episode of The Premie Pod, we’re honoured to be joined by Tenille James — a devoted mother to Kenny, Andie, and Harley.Tenille bravely shares her journey through premature birth, NICU life, and the unimaginable grief of losing her daughter Andie to SIDS at just 9 months old. Born at 35 weeks, Andie developed a critical condition called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) shortly after birth, requiring intensive care and life support.Despite the odds, Andie came home — a true fighter. But the road ahead brought unexpected tragedy and heartbreak no parent should ever have to face.This episode is a moving tribute to Andie’s life and a powerful call to raise awareness around SIDS, grief, and the strength of families walking this path.❤️ Tenille’s story is raw, brave, and deeply human.🎧 Listen now — and please share to help us honour Andie and raise awareness.📌 Medical Disclaimer: The content in this episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.

This is part two of last week's episode "IUGR, Ductus Arteriosus, Pericardial Effusion; Micah's Story" Mic, Micah's dad, plays a major role in financial, emotional and physical support for both Casey and Micah. Sometimes dads can get a little forgotten in NICU, so we're pleased to place a spotlight on a pretty incredible dad this week.

Their journey was filled with many challenges from Casey suffering pre-eclampsia to Micah suffering IUGR, having a large PDA, pericardial effusion, retinopathy of prematurity, an extubation, sepsis, ventilator-induced pneumonia, and a surgery for bilateral hernias.But this story isn't just about the medical hurdles they faced, it's about the emotional toll of the journey too. Casey and Mic open up about the raw, often unseen side of the NICU life: the fear, mental health struggles and how their strength and resilience together helped them both navigate this challenging journey.We invite you to share your experiences or words of support in the comments below.⚠️ DISCLAIMER:This video is intended for informational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns or decisions.

This week, Katlyn shares her and her son, Cooper's, story! Cooper was diagnosed with congenital heart disease comprising of: - Double inlet left ventricle- Hypoplastic right ventricle- Transposition of the greater arteries- Atrial septal defect (ASD)- Ventricular septal defect (VSD)- Pulmonary StenosisWith such quite a significant diagnosis, the prognosis was not favourable. Even with so many people, including healthcare professionals, encouraging her to terminate the pregnancy, Katlyn chose her own path. She decided to give Cooper a chance. You will not want to miss this episodeDISCLAIMER: This episode is personal experience, not medical advice. Please seek counsel from your own medical practitioner for all medical enquiries.

From Infertility to the NICU: Fiona’s Raw & Powerful StoryThis episode is an emotional rollercoaster you won’t want to miss. Fiona opens up about her journey through infertility, being diagnosed with Asherman’s syndrome, the premature birth of her son Harry at 24 weeks, and later, Charlie at 31 weeks. She also bravely shares her experience with postpartum anxiety and depression.Fiona’s story is not only moving—it’s empowering. As the author of “Fck the Lesson”*, Fiona channels her lived experience into words that resonate deeply. To purchase her book, reach out via email at [email protected] or connect with her on Instagram at @fimcbryde.🎧 Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about loss, resilience, and motherhood.Please note: This episode is for storytelling purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

This week, we sit down with the Rikki Leigh Johnstone as she openly shares her journey through IVF, infertility, and the premature birth of their son, Tatum, born at just 24 weeks and 1 day. After enduring the emotional toll of infertility and the physical and mental challenges of IVF, the Johnstones finally became pregnant but their path to parenthood was far from over.Tatum’s early arrival marked the beginning of a new battle in the NICU, where every moment counted and hope became their anchor. The Johnstone's reflect on the strength, and the small victories that defined their NICU experience, offering an honest and powerful insight into life as parents of a micro-preemie. Tatum is now 4 years old and thriving with his bestie and younger brother Reid. This episode is a story of perseverance, love, and the extraordinary resilience of families facing the most unexpected beginnings.

She may be small, but she’s mighty!Born at just 23 weeks, baby Amiya defied the odds. Her NICU journey was filled with challenges and scary moments, but her parents never gave up hope — and that hope helped carry her through. Today, Amiya is 2 years old and thriving.Tune in to hear Jasmine share her powerful perspective on navigating those early days and finding strength through it all.DISCLAIMER:This video is intended for informational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns or decisions.

Our Journey with Hydrops Fetalis | Jordana & Amalee's StoryIn this emotional video, Jordana shares the powerful and deeply personal story of her daughter Amalee, who was diagnosed antenatally with hydrops fetalis—a rare and life-threatening condition.From the moment of diagnosis, Jordana and her medical team faced many challenges. Amalee required multiple in-utero procedures, including the placement of shunts, to help manage her condition and give her the best possible chance at life.This video follows their courageous journey through uncertainty, hope, and love. Jordana opens up about the medical decisions, emotional highs and lows, and the resilience it took to face each day as a mother fighting for her baby.Whether you're a parent facing a similar diagnosis or someone seeking to understand what hydrops fetalis truly means, we hope this story offers insight, comfort, and solidarity.🍼 Topics Covered:What is hydrops fetalis?How Amalee's diagnosis was madeThe shunting procedure explainedPregnancy management and deliveryAmalee’s postnatal care and progress💬 We invite you to share your experiences or words of support in the comments below.⚠️ DISCLAIMER:This video is intended for informational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns or decisions related to hydrops fetalis or any other condition.

Meg Murphy is a neonatal nurse practitioner in NICU and aeromedical retrievals! She has a keen interest in providing care for extreme premature infants, delivering best evidence care and retrieving unwell babies from regional hospitals!Disclaimer: The views and experiences in this episode are personal, and not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare professionals for guidance specific to your situation.

Carrying Pain and Creating Purpose: The Story of how Miracle Babies, a life changing organisation, was born. In this week’s episode, we share the deeply personal story of Kylie Pussell. Kylie’s story is one of unimaginable highs and lows. A journey that deeply shaped her and ultimately inspired change. From her grief and resilience she joined a group of extraordinary mothers. Together, they founded a revolutionary organisation that now plays a vital role in NICU’s across Australia.This week, we shine a light on Miracle Babies and how love, loss, and the strength of community created a legacy of support for families navigating the NICU journey.

In this episode, Damien shares what his experience was like as a NICU dad, going back and forth from work to the challenges of the NICU, including the heartbreaking loss of their beautiful boy, Jude. He shares how he and Maddison navigated grief and found strength for their son, George.Today, we celebrate that George is absolutely thriving and praise Maddison & Damien’s incredible strength throughout this journey.  Miracle Babies Foundation’s Nurture Line www.miraclebabies.com.au 1300 622 243Red Nose Grief and Loss Support www.rednosegriefandloss.org.au1300 308 307 SMS4DADSwww.sms4dads.com.au(02) 4921 6401 @thepremiepod on all platforms

In our second episode, Maddison shares her emotional journey, from antenatal complications, to the challenges of the NICU, including the heartbreaking loss of their beautiful boy, Jude. She shares how she and Damien navigated grief and found strength for their son, George. She reflects on the unforgettable moment of bringing George home and the realities of navigating life after discharge. Today, we celebrate that George is absolutely thriving and praise Maddison & Damien’s incredible strength throughout this journey. Next week, we will share Damien’s episode where he shares the story from his perspective. Stay tunedMiracle Babies Foundation’s Nurture Line www.miraclebabies.com.au 1300 622 243Red Nose Grief and Loss Support www.rednosegriefandloss.org.auSMS4DADS www.sms4dads.com.au (02) 4921 6401@thepremiepod on all platforms

Listen along to Kirsty, Meg and Dimitty’s stories about how they ended up where they belong, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; the birth of our NICU nursing careers