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    What You Don’t See After the NICU

    May 25, 2025 / No Comments

    This video is personal and raw. It’s about the part of the NICU journey that rarely gets talked about—what happens to NICU dads after the hospital stay is over. After our NICU journey, I fell into one of the darkest seasons of my life. My physical health declined. My mental health crumbled. I didn’t recognize myself anymore—and honestly, I didn’t know how to ask for help. As NICU dads, we’re often expected to be the rock—to stay strong for everyone else. But the truth is, I was silently breaking. And I know I’m not alone. This is why we must talk about it. The NICU doesn’t just affect babies. It…

    Read More
    Alex Zavala

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  • Stories

    That yearly reminder…

    June 10, 2024 /

    Every year this pops up on my memories. It’s the same every year and today was no different. It’s usually a busy day with us getting things ready for my daughter’s birthday, and I get a notification of a “on this day” memory. It hits me like a ton of bricks and stops me dead in my tracks. Today I was in the car with my wife, talking and laughing, and I get the notification. I look and see that picture. I say, “Oh no…Man, every year…”. I show her the picture and it takes everything in me to not start crying. But why? It’s been eleven years. Why does…

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    Alex Zavala

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    Top 5 Tips For NICU Dads

    June 20, 2022 /

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    Alex Zavala

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    What about dads? Life after the NICU

    January 7, 2021 /

    A few months back I was asked by Bryana Salazar to be a part of a study she was doing. I jumped at the chance when I found out the study was exploring the needs of NICU fathers and their experiences after discharge. 32 NICU fathers participated in this study to help us learn more about the NICU experience and the transition home. Please take a look at her study here: https://spark.adobe.com/page/wR523tLe542qn/#theme-5 Here is what she found. Theme 1: Dads and Healthcare Providers Interacting with healthcare providers while your child is in the NICU and beyond can be intimidating. Theme 2: Adjusting Expectations For some fathers, the transition is difficult…

    Read More
    Alex Zavala

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    Going back to work after the NICU

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    May 22, 2018

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  • Stories,  Uncategorized

    NICU Birthday

    July 22, 2020 /

    A NICU stay is definitely a life changing experience. The hell we are put through and the gratefulness of how blessed we are, we carry them forever.

    Read More
    Alex Zavala

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    March 22, 2018

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    What You Don’t See After the NICU

    May 25, 2025

Recent Posts

  • What You Don’t See After the NICU
  • A NICU Dad’s Journey: Strength in Silence
  • Happy Homecoming Day!
  • That yearly reminder…
  • Top 5 Tips For NICU Dads

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