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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

Young father turns to music after traumatic journey through son's NICU stay

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Trent Richardson wrote and released a song about the trauma surrounding his son Archie's emergency birth and more than two months in neonatal intensive care.
  • Archie was diagnosed with septo-optic dysplasia, a rare condition affecting his brain, vision and coordination, according to his father.
  • Researcher Alka Kothari says fathers and other non-birthing parents often receive limited support after traumatic births, despite the mental health impact.

Trent Richardson's introduction to fatherhood began with an emergency caesarean, a separation from his partner and a flight that took his newborn son Archie to Brisbane. The baby then spent more than two months in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Richardson, a 25-year-old musician from Central Queensland, said he was terrified when he saw his son surrounded by tubes and wires. "It was a bit of a bombshell dropped on us … You sort of go, 'Why me?'" he said.

It was a bit of a bombshell dropped on us … You sort of go, 'Why me?'

· Trent RichardsonHe described the shock and fear surrounding his son's emergency birth and NICU admission.

Archie was diagnosed in the NICU with septo-optic dysplasia, a rare condition that Richardson said has affected his son's brain, vision and coordination. The experience inspired Richardson to write Promise You Now, a heartfelt ballad for parents facing the same uncertainty. In the song, he sings: "Other dads take their babies on home. I sit by your bed not sure how it's going to go."

Other dads take their babies on home. I sit by your bed not sure how it's going to go.

· Trent RichardsonLyrics from his song Promise You Now, written about his son's NICU journey.

Richardson said other NICU families responded with "a lot of love" after the song's recent release. He had been advised to seek therapy, but said songwriting and singing gave him a way to process what happened and connect with other parents.

His partner, Gabby Nielsen, said the NICU experience had been overwhelming and praised Richardson's approach to fatherhood. Hearing the song for the first time brought her to tears. "He's the best dad. I could not ask for a better dad for our little boy," she said.

He's the best dad. I could not ask for a better dad for our little boy.

· Gabby NielsenShe praised Richardson after hearing the song he wrote about their experience.

Brisbane obstetrician and University of Queensland researcher Alka Kothari said about one in five babies nationally require admission to special care or neonatal intensive care nurseries, while unexpected complications occur in about one third of pregnancies. Such events can affect the mental health of fathers and partners, she said, even after births that appear normal. Kothari is working with fathers and non-birthing parents to develop four principles aimed at improving their care, including stronger engagement with health professionals and greater recognition of their needs.

Nothing is more powerful than another dad saying to you, 'Hey, I went through the same thing. You'll get through this.'

· Alka KothariThe researcher emphasized the value of peer support for fathers affected by birth trauma.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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