50% of pregnancies involve some type of complication, yet we often don’t know why they happen or how to prevent them. Pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting come with so much uncertainty, and that can be incredibly hard to navigate.

Our expert guest today is someone who, like Dr. Ruta, has dedicated her career to helping people understand what the data actually says. Dr. Emily Oster, PhD—Professor of Economics at Brown University, and founder and CEO of ParentData—joins Dr. Ruta and Allie for a conversation about navigating the complex decisions of parenthood.

Together, they discuss how common pregnancy complications really are, how to sift through endless information, and how to make decisions when there’s no perfect solution.

The Bottom Line:

• Recognize you will have to live with some uncertainty, and there is no getting around that.
• Structure your decisions so they force you to make choices that are hard.
• Remember that this is hard, and give yourself a break.

Resources:

• Read The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications by Emily Oster and Nathan Fox
• Reach out to a Postpartum Support International Specialized Coordinator
• Learn more about pregnancy complications

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. The views, thoughts, and opinions shared today are the speakers’ own. **Trigger Warning** Pregnancy complications, pregnancy loss, trauma

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So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs is brought to you by the MGH Center for Women's Mental Health and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.