Phototherapy is so scary looking, but the NICU nurses made it clear to my wife and I that everything was going to be fine. That said, seeing your newborn in that state after you just welcomed them to the world is a real brain blast of trauma. I still remember the feeling as you described: hollow dread and fear.

"Congratulations on your baby, but you have more important things to deliver"

Yeah like a 2 weeks notice.