#8 - Sarah - Premature Birth at 32 Weeks: A Mother’s NICU Journey

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.