Child Life On Call: Parents Of Children With An Illness Or Medical Condition Share Their Stories With A Child Life Specialist

What happens when your world changes with a single phone call? In this powerful reposted episode, NICU dad and advocate Alex Zavala shares his emotional journey of fatherhood after his daughter was born at just 27 weeks. From the emergency C-section and NICU stay to the emotional toll of the "NICU dad shuffle," Alex opens up about the lesser-heard experience of dads navigating medical trauma, guilt, and resilience. As the host of the NICU Dad Podcast, Alex continues to amplify the voices of fathers facing similar experiences. This conversation is an essential listen for NICU families and healthcare professionals alike, reminding us of the often unseen emotional weight fathers carry and how vital their perspective is in family-centered care.   Key Takeaways from this week’s episode:   Premature birth can happen suddenly Fathers experience trauma too  The “NICU dad shuffle” is real  Life after the NICU is still challenging Community and storytelling are healing for fathers   Timestamps & Key Top