Family-Centered Care in the NICU and beyond - Cristal Grogan

Cristal Grogan shares her experience of her son's NICU stay overseas in Spain and the challenges they faced. She discusses the language barriers, socialized medicine, and lack of family-centered care in the NICU. Cristal emphasizes the importance of parent advocacy and education, as well as long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. She also highlights the need for support and resources for families, especially those with children with complex medical and mental health needs. 

Cristal's journey has led her to become an advocate for NICU parents and children with special needs. In this conversation, Cristal Grogan shares her journey as a parent advocate for NICU families and the importance of parent voices in healthcare. She discusses her involvement with NICU Parent Network and National Perinatal Association, as well as her work with Prolacta Bioscience. 

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

• Parent advocacy and education are crucial in the NICU and beyond.
• Family-centered care is essential for the well-being of NICU families.
• Access to support and resources is vital for families with children with complex medical and mental health needs.
• Parent advocacy is crucial in improving care for NICU families.
• Cristal emphasizes the need for parents to ask questions, advocate for their children, and seek out resources and support. 
• Dealing with health insurance can be so difficult to navigate and can be another big factor after the NICU.

Cristal’s NICU Alumni  Grad Guide

• Cristal encourages parents to trust their instincts and not be afraid to challenge healthcare professionals as it can lead to better outcomes.
• Take a look at parent-led organizations like NICU Parent Network and National Perinatal Association provide valuable support and resources.
• The Autism Community in Action provides education, support and hope to families living with autism.
• The Center for Men's Excellence out of California has great resources on their site for dads.
• Don’t forget, take a breath and enjoy today!

Overall, the conversation highlights the power of parent advocacy and the impact it can have on improving care for NICU families.

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A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.