What are Hilary Erickson's top tips for preparing for a NICU experience?

Hi, I’m Hilary Erickson from The Pregnancy Nurse.

Based on what I teach about labor, birth trauma, and hospital prep, here are the big ways I’d prepare for a possible NICU stay:

• Get educated early: Ask your provider what a NICU stay might look like for your situation. Take a solid prenatal class so the birth itself feels less overwhelming, leaving more bandwidth to process NICU information.
• Practice communication: Get used to asking, “Why are we doing this test?” and “Is this urgent, or can we talk for a minute?” That same skill is vital in the NICU when there are lots of providers and new terms.
• Protect your mental health: Lower expectations that everything will look like Instagram. A NICU stay can be emotionally heavy; having realistic expectations and support lined up (partner, family, therapist, faith community) helps reduce trauma.
• Plan for logistics: Think through childcare for other kids, parking costs, food, pumping supplies, and a small “NICU bag” (notebook, phone charger, water, snack). Practical prep makes room for emotional coping.

Would you like tips more focused on communicating with the NICU team, or on coping emotionally during a NICU stay?