In this episode of Raising with the Village, we hear from Liam, the first father to join the podcast and share his unique journey into parenthood.

Liam’s daughter arrived in the world in an unexpected and urgent situation — and within hours, both she and his partner had to be transferred to another hospital. What followed was a stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a place many parents never anticipate visiting — especially as a co-parent trying to find his footing.

Liam speaks about:

• what it feels like to become a dad from the sidelines,
• navigating the shock and uncertainty of a medical emergency,
• the emotional and practical reality of early parenthood when your baby is in intensive care,
• and how community support made a difference along the way.

This episode also highlights important ways families are supported during NICU stays — from milk donation and food provision, to accommodation programs like Ronald McDonald House.

In This Episode We Cover

• The experience of being a co-parent during a birth emergency
• Life with a newborn in the NICU
• The emotional and practical challenges of finding a role as a new dad
• Breast milk donation and why it matters
• Supporting families with food during long hospital stays
• Ronald McDonald House programs that help families stay close to their hospitalised child
• Community, resilience, and connection in early parenthood

Resources & Links Mentioned

Breast Milk Donation

Donating breast milk can have a massive impact on premature and medically vulnerable babies cared for in NICUs. If you’re interested in learning more or donating, resources include:
• UK Association for Milk Banking – find a milk bank near you and learn how to donate breast milk: https://ukamb.org/find-a-milk-bank/

• UK Human Milk Bank – information on donating and supporting donor milk: https://ukamb.org/

• The Hearts Milk Bank (Human Milk Foundation) – supports donor milk for neonates and families: https://humanmilkfoundation.org/hearts-milk-bank/

Food Support for NICU Families

While there isn’t a single universal link, many hospitals and charities offer meal programs or community support for families staying long hours near NICUs. One example is:
• “Meals from the Heart” at Ronald McDonald House locations – family rooms offering meals, support, and shared space for NICU families: https://www.rmhcnym.org/feeding-families-with-meals-from-the-heart/

Ronald McDonald House Charities (Support Accommodation & Family Services)

These charities help families stay close to their sick or hospitalised children by providing accommodation and other support services near major children’s hospitals:
• Ronald McDonald House Charities (global info & how to support): https://rmhc.org/get-involve

💛 Raising with the Village

This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.
New episodes every Thursday!

🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/
📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms.

If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

In this episode of Raising with the Village, we hear from Sarah, whose baby arrived much earlier than expected — born at just 32 weeks after what began as a routine check-in following unexpected bleeding around 30 weeks.

Sarah takes us through how that moment led to an early delivery, and then into the emotional and psychological journey that followed: the uncertainty, loneliness, anxiety, and identity shift that come with having a premature baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

This conversation explores how motherhood can begin far from the imagined path — in waiting rooms, hospital corridors, and days blurred by routine checks — and how parents learn to find strength, resilience, and connection even in the most bewildering moments.

Highlights From This Episode

• What brought Sarah to the hospital at 30 weeks and how her son arrived unexpectedly at 32 weeks.
• The emotional rollercoaster of life in the NICU — waiting, uncertainty, and the challenge of holding hope.
• How a premature birth reshaped Sarah’s experience of early motherhood.
• The mental and emotional struggles that come with having a baby arrive too soon.
• What helped Sarah cope through NICU and in the months after.

Support & Resources Mentioned

If you’re navigating life with a premature baby or in the NICU, Sarah highlighted Miracle Moon as an incredibly valuable support resource — especially on Instagram and for connecting with other NICU parents who truly understand the emotional journey.
👉 Follow Miracle Moon on Instagram: @miraclemoonuk — a community offering peer support, shared stories, and compassionate guidance for parents with babies in neonatal care.
miraclemoon.co.uk

Miracle Moon started as a supportive Instagram space created by NICU parents and has grown into a wider community with mental health resources, peer support, and tools for resilience during and after neonatal care.
miraclemoon.co.uk

Why This Episode Matters

Premature birth changes the expected rhythm of pregnancy and early motherhood. Sarah’s story offers insight and companionship to anyone whose baby arrived before their due date, whose hospital stay was longer than planned, or whose experience didn’t match the picture in their mind. It reminds us that there is no “right” way to start motherhood, and that community — even online through shared stories — can make us feel a little less alone.

Connect with the Podcast

If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You can:

• Listen and subscribe on your favourite podcast platform
• Share this episode with a friend who might need it
• Reach out on Instagram or via the show notes for support or to share your own story

Thank you for being part of Raising with the Village. 🌿

💛 Raising with the Village

This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.
New episodes every Thursday!

🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/
📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms.

If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

A short holiday message from Raising with the Village. In this solo episode, I’m reflecting on the first season of the podcast, thanking the parents who bravely shared their stories, and looking ahead to what’s coming next — including new parenting topics and voices from dads.

If you’ve been listening along, thank you for being part of this growing village. As we head into the holiday season, this episode is a gentle reminder that parenting can feel especially intense at this time of year, and that connection, support, and shared experiences matter more than ever.

New episodes return on Thursday 8th January. Until then, don’t forget to share your favourite episode, leave a review, and help more parents feel a little less alone.

Happy holidays from Raising with the Village — a podcast about real parenting stories, community, and support.

💛 Raising with the Village

This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.
New episodes every Thursday!

🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/
📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms.

If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.