The NICU Translator green flower graphic

The NICU is only the beginning…

Hi, I’m Mary! I’m a NICU nurse and doula on a mission to bring more joy and less trauma to the NICU experience through empowered education, community and individualized NICU doula support.

About Our Offerings

From custom NICU Doula support for the transition home to educational workshops and courses.

  • Mother holding NICU baby while on a virtual support call with The NICU Translator

    1:1 Virtual NICU Doula Support Sessions

  • A NICU baby's head resting in mother's hands

    FREE 'Life After NICU' Community

  • A parents taking notes for a NICU Translator virtual course

    Virtual Courses and Live Trainings for Doulas and NICU Families

Explore All Services

Ready to Thrive at Home?

Ready to Thrive at Home?

Mary Farrelly, NICU RN holding newborn baby at home

You are so in the right place.

Welcome, I’m Mary!

Combining my clinical expertise as a board-certified Level IV NICU nurse with hands-on support skills as a professionally trained doula, I bridge the gap between the NICU and home by working with families one-on-one as a virtual NICU doula.

As a nurse educator, I understand the profound impact that empowered education and informed decision-making have on building confidence, fostering infant bonding, and promoting parental autonomy. This drives my passion for expanding my impact through educational trainings for NICU families, doulas, and other support professionals.

Empowered Education for Families and the Professionals Who Support Them

Each year, 1 in 10 babies experience a NICU stay, with most admissions coming as an unexpected challenge. In the NICU, families have 24/7 medical support and a team to guide them. But once they transition home, many NICU parents find themselves feeling isolated or overwhelmed. Friends and family may offer help, yet often don’t understand the unique needs of a NICU graduate. Traditional new-parent support groups and classes tend to focus on “typical” newborns, leaving NICU families searching for someone who truly understands.

For NICU parents, I’m here as a virtual NICU doula, providing one-on-one support to bridge that gap and bring the confidence and joy that every family deserves.

For doulas and support professionals, I’m committed to equipping you with the specialized knowledge and skills to stand alongside these families, empowering you to be the resource they can rely on. Together, we can make the NICU journey one that leads to hope, understanding, and a joyful transition home.

The NICU Translator pink flower graphic

A few NICU freebies!

(because who doesn’t love a freebie?)

Knowledge is power! Here are three free resources I created to help build your NICU knowledge.

  • Ipad showing "10 Things to Know to Prepare for Your Baby's Discharge" freebie

    NICU Discharge Checklist

    Download
  • Papers and phone on table for The NICU Translator's Friends and Family Guide to Your NICU Baby

    Friends and Family Guide to Your NICU Baby

    Download
  • Ipad showing The NICU Translator's "NICU Birth Plan Template" freebie

    Birth Plan Plus Template for NICU and High-Risk Scenarios

    Download

KIND WORDS

KIND WORDS

Client Testimonials

  • “From the moment we met Mary, we were put at ease by her reassuring demeanor and extensive knowledge of care for preemies. She was able to help us understand complex medical terminology and was our guide post NICU stay on how to communicate with members of our son's team to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care for him. Beyond her knowledge, Mary is compassionate and empathetic; she understands the emotional and physical toll having a baby in the NICU takes on new parents. She always took time to listen to our worries, provide words of encouragement and reassurance during moments of uncertainty. Mary's professionalism, dedication and warmth has left a lasting impact on our entire family.”

    - Lisa (Jack’s Mom)

  • “As first time parents, we found Mary to be extremely informative, helpful and patient with all of our questions and concerns! We would highly recommend Mary to anyone looking for someone with extensive experience with infants and a wealth of knowledge about parenthood beyond the hospital!”

    - April (Evelyn’s Mom)

  • “There are not enough words to fully express our heartfelt gratitude for the support Mary showed to us as new parents and to our preemie, Jack. Mary was available day and night to answer our questions, listen to our worries and help us find joy even when challenges were presented. She is knowledgeable, patient and sincere. Mary is truly a gem.”

    - David (Jack’s Dad)

  • “Highly recommend!! It’s intimidating to have a child in NICU and be scared to touch or move them, she taught me the right thing to do and pushed me thru my fears. At the end I was so grateful because it meant bonding, holding and caring for my child.”

    - Natalie (Reid’s Mom)

  • Mary is an amazing person. She is so professional, knowledgeable, and deeply compassionate. Our sessions were exactly what I needed after a traumatic birth experience and our baby’s stay in the NICU. Mary listened to my story with empathy and care. She then skillfully helped me to identify certain areas where I needed more information and where she could provide expertise and support. As a result, our sessions together were very helpful and productive. I cannot say enough good things about Mary. She is an angel, and she helped our family so much

    -Mary (Rose’s Mom)

The NICU Translator flower gif

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A NICU Doula is a non-medical professional who is trained in the emotional and physical support of families before, during and after a NICU experience. They serve to create a supportive and healing environment for NICU families that focuses on empowered parenting and hands-on support services with a mission to bring more joy and less trauma to a NICU experience.

  • NICU Doula support is tailored to the specific needs of NICU graduates and their families. Unlike traditional postpartum support, NICU Doula care includes expertise in preemie health, feeding challenges, and developmental considerations. This specialized approach ensures that families feel fully supported as they transition from hospital to home.

  • I currently offer a live training for doulas and other support professional who would like to expand their NICU knowledge (you can learn more here). And stay tuned for a comprehensive NICU Doula Certification program coming in 2025! You can join the waitlist here.

NICU baby at home holding parents' fingers

Let’s Connect

Ready to Get Started?

Do you have any questions? Interested in collaborating? Looking to give a loved one the gift of NICU support?

hello@thenicutranslator.com