Addiction’s impact extends far beyond adults and teens—each year, over 20,000 babies are born dependent on drugs due to prenatal exposure. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we speak with a neonatal nurse practitioner who saw a critical need to provide care for these vulnerable newborns and their families.
At Hushabye Nursery in Phoenix, more than 800 babies have received life-saving treatment in the four years since its opening, offering specialized support for opioid-exposed infants and their mothers in recovery.
We’ll also hear from a mother whose life was transformed by the compassionate care she and her baby received, illustrating how, even amidst substance use disorder, hope and healing are possible.
MEET THE GUEST
Jazmin Pedroza
Jazmin is a devoted mother with lived experience of overcoming substance use disorder. During a pivotal time in her life, she received compassionate care from Hushabye Nursery, working closely with their team when she welcomed her son. Jazmin is deeply grateful for the personalized support Hushabye provided, which focused not only on her baby’s well-being but also on her own recovery and health as a mother.
MEET THE GUEST
Tara Sundem
Tara brings over 27 years of experience in neonatal nursing, including 18 years as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, with a strong focus on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). She is dedicated to enhancing care for babies affected by NAS and supporting their families. As the Co-Founder of Hushabye Nursery, Tara developed the HOPPE (Hushabye Opioid Pregnancy Preparation and Empowerment) program, which provides specialized support and resources for pregnant women navigating Opiate Use Disorder.
