I HAD NO IDEA! (Part 2) with Nicolette @_nikushkaaa_

*Trigger Warning* This story contains a maternal & fetal near-miss.

To watch today's episode on YT, click here.

Season 1: Episode 6 (Part 2 of 2)
👋 Nicolette is a L&D Nurse in North Virginia at one of the large hospitals there.
👉She and her husband Serge, have 2 kids, ages 11 and 2.
➡️ On this episode, you will hear Nicolette's “I HAD NO IDEA” moments throughout her pregnancies, births, and postpartum.
➡️ During her second birth, Nicolette suffered a very rare and often fatal birth complication in which she and her son almost lost their lives!
➡️ We talk about the warning signs, what happened that day, and what postpartum looked like after that traumatic event.
➡️ As a bonus, we also discuss ways to advocate for yourself as women in the healthcare system.

⏮️ IN CASE YOU MISSED IT LAST WEEK….
- Season 1 - Episode 5 (Part 1 of 2)

🔎 Nicolette: @_nikushkaaa_
🔗 This Episode’s Shareable Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2262292/14768764

Podcasts that Nicolette has been on:
- Birth Trauma Stories Podcast - Part 1 - S2: E13
- Birth Trauma Stories Podcast - Part 2 - S2: E14
- The Golden Hour Birth Podcast - Part 1 of 3
- The Golden Hour Birth Podcast - Part 2 of 3
- The Golden Hour Birth Podcast - Part 3 of 3
- The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast

RESOURCES:
- The Birth Trauma Mama
- Birth Trauma Stories Podcast

Chapters

• 0:00 Coming Up
• 0:33 Intro Song
• 1:00 Nicolette Introduction
• 1:29 Pregnancy Scare
• 3:15 Early Braxton Hicks Contractions
• 5:57 Early Warning Signs of Splenic Artery Rupture During Pregnancy
• 6:19 Birth #2
• 6:54 Splenic Artery Rupture
• 8:27 Emergency C-Section & Son with Poor Prognosis
• 10:50 Survival Rates for Mother / Baby with Splenic Artery Rupture
• 11:43 Rupture Experience Details
• 13:28 Baby Prognosis Explained
• 14:13 NICU & ICU Experience
• 15:32 Postpartum, Post Medical Complication, PTSD, & Birth Trauma
• 17:33 Break
• 17:39 Experience Bringing Alek Home
• 18:26 Breastfeeding with Alek
• 19:31 Differences Child to Child
• 20:06 Discontinuing Breastfeeding & Feelings
• 20:58 I Had No Idea Moment / Breastfeeding Continued
• 23:25 Having More Understanding Towards Others
• 23:40 Intrusive Thoughts
• 24:09 Short Term Disability During Postpartum
• 25:24 Therapy for Birth Trauma
• 26:49 Fighting Silent Battles
• 27:13 Returning Back to Work
• 27:38 Advocating for Yourself as a Woman in The Healthcare System
• 33:30 Resources for Birth Trauma, NICU, Birth Story, ETC
• 36:21 Where to Find Nicolette & Coming Up Next