Natalie Estelle has experience with being the Mother of a micropreemie. Giving birth to her baby girl 9 months after she had a stillbirth still amazes her till this day. Due to the trials and tribulations, ups and downs, and then having a full-term baby just a year and two days after her micropreemie was born, a non-profit organization began. This organization provides words of encouragement, therapeutic art and healthy food to those parents who currently have babies in the NICU.
Natalie is a writer, speaker and provides classes, training and lesson plans for hospitals.
Background
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Natalie’s family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland at the age of seven. A highly competitive figure skater from the age of 5, Natalie went on to successfully compete at the national level, winning several awards. In addition she was a competitive tennis player, winning 2 city campionships while attending the prestigious all-girl public school, Western High School in Baltimore CIty. She was also a competitive swimmer. Receiving her Bachelors of Art degree from Towson University in Computer Art/Graphic Design and her Masters of Art degree from the University of Baltimore in Publication Design, Natalie went on to have an extensive career in Graphic Design and Marketing Communications. She held roles in various industries, including Information Technology, Healthcare, and Finance, however, her passion has always been volunteerism and giving to those in need. Volunteering comes naturally to Natalie, and this desire began at a very young age. From the Jerry Lewis Telethon, the Special Olympics, to starting and running a figure skating program for inner city girls in Baltimore which she operated successfully for several years; spending time giving back is always something she enjoys and plans on infusing into her children.
While serving as the Director of Marketing and Communications for a women-owned, top-rated catering company in Baltimore, Natalie was fortunate to have three children. Her first child was stillborn, the second was a micro preemie (born early and weighing less than two pounds), and the last born full-term, all within two years. Naturally, such an experience reshaped her life, causing her to refocus her efforts, both personally and professionally.
In 2016, the overall experience with having her children inspired Preemie Moms Rock, a non-profit organization that served Moms of premature babies. On a monthly basis, Natalie visited local hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Units to provide healthy meals, crafting, and in-person, parent-to-parent support through conversational stories. While forming a Preemie Mom Community, the on-site and off-site meet-ups provided an outlet to talk about the ins and outs and the highs and lows of NICU/Preemie life while stressing the importance of self-care even after their babies have graduated from the NICU. The success of this organization grew by leaps and bounds. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the organization disbanded. Instead of giving up, Natalie pivoted.
The next step was to figure out a way to still reach the NICU Moms even though we could no longer meet in person. Thus, a book was born. Natalie could still help NICU Moms from afar with a self-care book and virtual meetings. 52 Self-Care Tips for NICU Moms from a NICU Mom was written and self-published in 2019. Her goal is to have her book in EVERY hospital with a NICU and hospital gift shops. Moms need to make sure they take great care of themselves while the baby is being taken care of in the NICU. This way, once the baby comes home you will be mental, physically and emotionally ready for baby.
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What you are doing for us is so self-less. You are here to share your experiences with us on your own time and I appreciate you. I want to hug you and thank you for this. I really needed it today.
/ appreciative parent /
Experience
Natalie's experience with Family-centered developmental supportive care spans a couple of years and her personal life merges with NICU Parent Project. Because of her experience in the NICU, she can speak to a lot of the feelings and issues other NICU parents may have. Neonatologists are focused on the details of a baby’s medical condition, but most people don't check on the mental well-being of the parents and siblings. We do!