Madison Turner

Madison is a mum to two beautiful daughters, Penelope (6) and Valerie (3). Her journey into parenthood, and the experience of having her first baby admitted to Special Care Nursery, inspired her passion for supporting families during some of life’s most challenging moments.

“When Penelope was born at 38 weeks, I never imagined we would spend our first week together in Special Care Nursery. After a traumatic birth, Penelope was transferred to SCN during our very first night together. I remember feeling confused, frightened and completely overwhelmed. As a first-time mum, I didn’t understand why my baby was there, and I felt as though she had been taken away from me before we’d even had a chance to bond.

Penelope spent six days in SCN, and although we eventually brought home a healthy baby, I didn’t realise until much later how deeply the experience had affected me. I developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it took time, support and therapy to process everything we had been through.

When I became pregnant with my second daughter, Valerie, I made my mental health a priority. Throughout my pregnancy, I attended weekly trauma therapy with a psychologist to prepare for her birth. We had planned a scheduled caesarean section, but Valerie had other ideas. She surprised us by arriving on Penelope’s birthday, and we took it as a sign that everything was meant to happen the way it did. Despite the unexpected change of plans, Valerie’s birth became a beautiful and healing experience.

Today, my girls share the same birthday, something that makes our family smile every year and reminds me how different two birth stories can be.

My own experiences sparked a passion for understanding the emotional impact that pregnancy, birth and neonatal care can have on parents. They inspired me to study psychology, with the goal of supporting families through the challenges that can come with having a baby in Special Care Nursery or NICU.

I believe that caring for parents’ mental health is just as important as caring for their babies. When parents feel supported, informed and connected, they’re better able to care for themselves and build those precious early bonds with their little one.

I’m incredibly grateful to now be part of the Miracle Babies Foundation team, where I have the privilege of supporting families through their own journeys with compassion, understanding and hope.”