Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S2E12 Grief & Gratitude: Navigating the Duality of NICU Birth Trauma with Lauren Hunter, LCSW, PMH-C

Navigating Birth Trauma and NICU Experiences with Compassion: A Conversation with Lauren Hunter, LCSW, PMH-C

In this episode, host Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Lauren Hunter, an LCSW and PMH-C based in New York, to discuss the profound impacts of birth trauma and the NICU experience. Lauren shares her personal journey and professional insights into supporting women through fertility challenges, pregnancy, and postpartum phases, with a special focus on NICU families and birth trauma survivors. The conversation delves into the complexities of birth trauma, emphasizing the importance of validating and normalizing these experiences. They also explore the nuances of grief, the need for trauma-informed care, and the significance of hope and resilience. Lauren shares strategies for self-compassion and self-care for NICU parents and discusses the long-term effects of birth trauma, advocating for mental health support and community connections.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:38 Lauren Hunter's Background and Personal Story

05:12 Defining Birth Trauma

11:00 Heather's Personal Birth Trauma Experience

15:11 Navigating Hope and Grief in the NICU

21:47 Survival Mode in the NICU

22:36 Support Groups for NICU Families

23:04 Physical and Emotional Impact of Grief

24:26 Stigma Around Birth Trauma

29:45 The Importance of Sharing Stories

33:07 Self-Compassion Practices for NICU Parents

37:58 Long-Term Effects of Birth Trauma

40:46 Final Thoughts and Resources

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Lauren Hunter, LCSW, PMH-C is a psychotherapist and private practice owner of North Star Wellness & Therapy where she specializes in treating grief in all its forms and specializes in helping women process and heal from birth trauma. Lauren holds advanced certifications in complicated grief from Columbia University as well as Perinatal Mental Health from Postpartum Support International (PSI). Lauren relates personally to these incredible women and can be found on Instagram at @sessionswithlauren or PsychologyToday 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/lauren-hunter-port-jefferson-ny/776993   For bookings or collaboration requests please contact [e-mail]   -----------------------------------------------------------

Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss—because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives.

Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed—this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone.

No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through.

https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com

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