Meet Angela! 

Angela is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Newborn & NICU Parent Coach.

There is a huge gap in our care and education for new and expecting parents in America. This became abundantly clear after I had my first child and experienced severe post-partum anxiety. With my first post-partum appointment not for 6 weeks, I was left to "try" and fix it myself which was NOT happening. If I had had support and someone who knew what direction to point me in, I could have resolved my anxiety sooner and enjoyed the beginning of my maternity leave rather than wishing it to "hurry-up."

Another factor that became abundantly clear when I was pregnant with my first was that there is NO realistic newborn education availble for parents (a class I took literally told me if I wanted to take breastfeeding seriously, then I should quit my job or go part time at least- are you kidding me?!). Now, I thought I "knew" what I was doing because I took care of sick babies for a living (news-flash: full term babies are WAY different than preemies - joke was on me!), but what about all those parents who have never been around babies and have no clue what they're doing? I experience it every time I work - parents don't know how to put on a diaper, give a bath, cut nails, pick up their baby, etc. There needs to be more support to parents, and frankly our society does not provide that.

And here I am! Hoping to change parents' experience in to parenthood one family at a time by using my first-hand experience and expertise! I know what it's like to feel like your questions are silly and to be afraid to ask - I NEVER want anyone to feel that way!

I want to THANK YOU for taking the time to visit my site here, and read about me. I can't wait to work with you!

It All Started When ...

I began working in the NICU as a bedside nurse. Getting to see parents finally graduate from the NICU with their baby after months in the hospital was so gratifying to see! I found true joy in getting to help them be prepared to take their baby home, but after they walked outside the hospital doors they were on their own. 

I saw on their faces trepidation, excitement, anxiety and hopefulness. After caring for familys for so long, I got to know the parents well and after discharge would occasionally follow-up to see how they were coping at home. There were a myriad of responses from rough and emotional to overwhelming and insecure.

It was at this point I realized that there was a HUGE GAP in transitioning from the NICU to home. And as a medical professional, I knew we had to do better in supporting families in order to set them up for success.

But Then Everything Changed...

I became a mother myself! I was fortunate and did not have any NICU babies myself, but the transition to home was rough and not what I expected at all.

I experienced post-partum anxiety, difficulty with breastfeeding and the feeling of inadequacy and insecurity. I had too much pride to call my doctor and express my concerns and worries. I was also too embarrassed of what I was feeling to talk to anyone about it -family or friends! Essentially, I suffered in silence.

It wasn't until I was in a lactation support group when the lactation consultant  was a listening ear and encouraged me to call my doctor, things turned around for the better.

After I came out the other side of the post-partum period, I began to realize the lack of support in the post-partum period for parents. Particularly with the typical first follow-up appointment with your OB being 6 weeks after delivery - a TON happens in those first 6 weeks. And although you will be seeing the babys pediatrician a time or two before that initial follow-up, they are just not equipped to support parents adequately during those quick appointments.

At this point, the idea for NICU and newborn consulting was born! That time in my life was a dark and lonely place and if I can help other familys avoid that - then I absolutely will!