NICU nurse turned doula Mary Farrelly, who sits on the floor in pink scrubs, founded The NICU Translator.

Meet the Founder

The heart and vision behind The NICU Translator

I’m Mary — And I’m So Glad You’re Here.

I’ve always known I was meant to work at the intersection of science, story, and support. I dreamed of becoming a nurse midwife and helping to welcome new humans earthside — but life had other plans.

When my “dream hospital” didn’t have a Labor & Delivery opening, I accepted a position in the NICU, planning to stay just a year or two. That was over a decade ago. The tiniest patients wrapped me around their bitty fingers, and I’ve been caring for NICU babies and their families ever since.

The NICU Translator founder and NICU nurse turned doula Mary Farrelly holds a newborn baby.

A circle graphic that reads 'Bridging the gap for NICU doulas' in fuchsia on The NICU Translator's website.

The NICU Translator founder Mary Farrelly feeds a newborn as a NICU nurse turned doula.

My Mission

To bridge the medical and emotional worlds of NICU care through trauma-informed education, evidence-based practice, and compassionate connection — creating calmer, more confident experiences for babies, families, and the professionals who support them.

The Work That Changed Everything

Over the years as a Level IV NICU nurse, I’ve cared for hundreds of families through their most beautiful joys, deepest heartbreaks, and everything in between. Each day, I’m humbled by the trust parents place in me to care for their fragile children — and inspired by their strength and resilience.

But working in the healthcare system during the pandemic changed me. It revealed just how many gaps in care still exist — gaps that leave families anxious, isolated, and unsure how to advocate for their babies.

As a NICU Nurse Educator, I saw firsthand how education and connection can transform those experiences. When families understand what’s happening and professionals feel confident guiding them, everyone in the NICU — babies, parents, and caregivers — thrives.

Supplies that are used in training for newborn care specialists are laid out by Mary Farrelly.

Mary Farrelly brainstorms professional development for doulas that will be taught in her training course with The NICU Translator.

Mary Farrelly partakes in a newborn feeding demonstration in her NICU doula training with The NICU Translator.

Finding My Purpose Again

After the birth of my second daughter, I experienced postpartum depression and anxiety. It was a deeply vulnerable time, and I realized I wasn’t living in alignment with my purpose anymore.

Through therapy, reflection, and a lot of honesty, I found my way back to the heart of my work: empowering NICU families and the professionals who support them.

That clarity became the foundation for The NICU Translator — a space built to bridge the medical and emotional worlds of NICU care through education, advocacy, and hope.

So many resources speak to “typical” birth and postpartum experiences. NICU families deserve the same level of understanding, compassion, and preparedness — and doulas and perinatal professionals deserve the tools to guide them.

Mary Farrelly speaks at a virtual conference about The NICU Translator and her NICU-informed doula courses.

that brings us to where I am today

Through The NICU Translator, I now teach and speak across the country — helping doulas, nurses, and perinatal professionals become NICU-informed and confident in their care.

In the past year, I’ve been honored to serve as a guest speaker on leading birth and NICU podcasts, present at doula and nursing conferences, and collaborate with professional organizations that share my mission of bridging compassion and care.