12. High-Risk Pregnancy Support: An L&D Nurse + Doula’s Guide to Confident Birth

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The NICU Translated Podcast

Mary Farrelly

16 episodes

1 week ago

Welcome to The NICU Translated Podcast, where we break down the complex world of the NICU into clear, relatable insights for families and the professionals who support them. Hosted by Mary Farrelly—a certified NICU nurse, doula, and educator—this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the NICU with confidence and compassion. Whether you’re a doula looking to better support NICU families, a healthcare professional seeking deeper understanding, or a parent preparing for or living through a NICU journey, you’ll find actionable tips, evidence-based guidance, and heartfelt stories to inspire and empower you. Each week, we’ll explore topics like: -NICU 101: Terms, diagnoses, and medical equipment explained. -Preemie care basics and developmental milestones. -How to advocate for your NICU baby with confidence. -Emotional and trauma-informed support for NICU families. -Insights from NICU professionals and families who’ve been there. With episodes featuring expert advice, list-style guides, and real-life interviews, The NICU Translated Podcast is here to equip you with the tools and knowledge to make the NICU journey less overwhelming and more empowering. Subscribe now and join our community dedicated to bringing more joy and less trauma to the NICU experience—because the NICU is only the beginning. Let’s navigate this journey together.

All content for The NICU Translated Podcast is the property of Mary Farrelly and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

12. High-Risk Pregnancy Support: An L&D Nurse + Doula’s Guide to Confident Birth

The NICU Translated Podcast

46 minutes

1 month ago

12. High-Risk Pregnancy Support: An L&D Nurse + Doula’s Guide to Confident Birth

When a pregnancy becomes high-risk, fear can take over — for both families and the professionals supporting them. But with the right tools, mindset, and communication, confidence and calm are still possible.

In this episode, I’m joined by Cassandra Kobiltz, a labor and delivery nurse, doula, and the founder of Hakuna Matata Mamas. Cassandra blends medical knowledge with mindfulness-based support, helping families prepare for birth when circumstances feel uncertain or out of their control.

We’ll talk about what “high-risk” really means, how to navigate shifting birth plans, and why emotional safety is just as important as physical safety. Whether you’re a doula supporting a complex pregnancy or a parent preparing for a birth that looks different than you expected, this episode will leave you grounded, informed, and inspired.

Stay Connected with Mary:
Instagram: @thenicutranslator

Want to learn more about how to best support NICU babies and their families before, during and after a NICU experience? Grab the FREE guide here to get started

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Guest Spotlight: Cassandra Koblitz BSN-RN
Cassandra Mae, founder of Hakuna Matata Mama, is a high-risk labor and delivery nurse turned virtual maternal mentor and hospital birth coach who helps women have the best day of their lives, the day they meet their baby, no matter how it happens. With over 13 years of experience supporting women with high-risk pregnancies, she blends clinical expertise with mindset and somatic work to help mamas calm their nervous system, trust their body, and show up with courage and confidence. Through her signature Compass-ionate Framework, Cassandra bridges the gap between medical care and emotional support, like a nurse bestie in your corner, helping women feel seen, supported, and deeply connected every step of the way.

Connect with Cassandra
www.hakunamatatamamas.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakuna.matata.mamas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555883715054
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hakuna-matata-mama/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hakuna.matata.mamas

Inside This Episode:
00:00 Introduction to High-Risk Pregnancy and Birth

02:07 Cassandra's Journey in Nursing and Doula Work

05:09 The Impact of Travel Nursing on Perspectives

07:53 Understanding High-Risk Pregnancy

11:21 Coping with High-Risk Labels

16:25 Mindfulness and Nervous System Regulation

20:59 The Importance of Self-Care and Intuition

24:23 Advocacy and Trusting Your Instincts

25:48 The Importance of Intuition in Healthcare Conversations

26:43 Navigating High-Risk Birth Scenarios

29:57 Coping Mechanisms for Expecting Parents

31:34 Acknowledging Loss in Birth Expectations

33:56 Balancing Medical Protocols and Patient Wishes

37:03 The Human Element in Medical Care

39:45 Processing Trauma in Healthcare

43:59 Empowering Parents in High-Risk Situations

Links, Resources & Mentions:
Get Cassandra’s free resource, “5 Things You Need to Know When Your Pregnancy Becomes High-Risk,” a short, powerful audio series designed to help mothers move from fear and uncertainty to feeling informed and supported. The series was made to remind women that even with a high-risk diagnosis, they still have a voice, a choice, and the ability to have the best day of their lives, the day they meet their baby.

Loved this episode?

Share this episode with a doula or care provider who could bring NICU-informed care to their community or leave a 5-star review and let me know!

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for decisions about your health or your baby’s care.

Until next time, remember:

The NICU is only the beginning, and together we can make this journey less overwhelming, and a lot more empowering.

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