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.

Welcome back to So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales! We’re starting off this season with such an important episode. We talk all the time about postpartum depression but what about postpartum anxiety?

In this advice-packed episode, Dr. Ruta and Allie sit down with Nicole Amoyal Pensak, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, and Author of the book RATTLED, How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain. They discuss how the new mom's brain changes and what that means for mental health. Plus, Dr. Ruta shares tips for distinguishing normal worry from postpartum anxiety.

If you’re preparing for the postpartum, have a history of anxiety, are caring for a loved one with postpartum anxiety, or just looking to learn about matrescence, this episode is for you.

Recommended Resources:

• Rattled by Nicole Pensak
• Postpartum Support International
• Learn more on our Resource Hub

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** postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD.

Like What You Heard?

• Subscribe so you never miss an episode
• Leave us a review to share your feedback
• Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

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.

So Glad You Asked returns April 29 with Season 2.

Hosted by psychiatrist Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales, So Glad You Asked is the maternal mental health podcast that tackles the questions keeping moms up at night clearly, compassionately, and with expert guidance you can trust.

This season, we’re featuring more expert voices, covering the topics listeners have been asking for, and sharing new resources handpicked by Dr. Ruta.

Because moms deserve high‑quality, easy‑to‑access mental health information.

Subscribe now and listen when Season 2 drops on April 29.

Like What You Heard?

• Subscribe so you never miss an episode
• Leave us a review to share your feedback
• Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

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.

Welcome to the season 1 finale of So Glad You Asked! In this powerful episode, we’re unpacking some of the most essential questions about maternal mental health — including one that many moms quietly struggle with: Do I have postpartum depression or anxiety?

To help us understand this important topic, we’re joined by Dr. Lee Cohen and Dr. Marlene Freeman, Director and Associate Director of the Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women’s Mental Health at Mass General Hospital. Alongside Dr. Ruta, they’ll break down how to recognize the signs of postpartum depression and anxiety, when to seek help, and where to find support. Whether you’re navigating postpartum challenges yourself or want to better understand these conditions to support someone you care about, this episode offers practical insights and actionable tools to help you manage postpartum mental health with confidence.

As we head into our summer hiatus, follow us on Instagram @mghcwmh to hear Dr. Ruta answer more listener questions and explore our resource hub at womensmentalhealth.org for more support and information. Take care, and we’ll see you next season!

Recommended Resources:

• Learn more about Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders at womensmentalhealth.org
• Learn more about Perinatal OCD and Psychosis
• Find a therapist or join a support group at postpartum.net
• Watch the trailer for More Than Blue, a documentary on postpartum depression across America

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** postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and psychosis

Like What You Heard?

• Subscribe so you never miss an episode
• Leave us a review to share your feedback
• Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

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.

Infant feeding looks different for every family. Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, formula feeding, or somewhere in between, feeding your baby can come with challenges — and plenty of stigma. In this episode of So Glad You Asked, Allie sits down with three amazing moms who’ve tried it all: Susie, a stay-at-home mom; Kriti, a marketing executive and maternal mental health advocate; and Desiree Cameron, Birthing Abundantly Maternal Services, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Full Spectrum Doula. They share honest stories about what worked, what didn’t, and how we can support parents in making feeding choices without guilt or judgment. Whether you’re a new parent, navigating feeding challenges with multiple kids, or reflecting on decisions from years ago, you’ll find practical insights and actionable tips to help you feel confident in your feeding journey. Remember, fed is best!

Recommended Resources:

• More on breastfeeding and psychiatric medications at womensmentalhealth.org
• Find a support group with Postpartum Support International
• Read more about Fed is Best

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** NICU stay, postpartum psychosis

Like What You Heard?

• Subscribe so you never miss an episode
• Leave us a review to share your feedback
• Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

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.

Welcome back to So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs! In this episode, we’re holding space for the often overlooked experience of grief during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We hear from a mother who navigated the loss of her own mom while pregnant with her second child — and how that profound loss shaped her postpartum experience, including her struggle with postpartum depression. Later, we sit down with Hannah Bonoyer, BSN, RN, PMH-C, a seasoned labor and delivery nurse and perinatal behavioral health coach. She offers compassionate guidance for navigating grief in the perinatal period. Whether you’re in the midst of grief or walking alongside someone who is, we hope this episode offers you practical insights, gentle validation, and a sense of connection — wherever you are in your story. As always, we’re so glad you asked!

Recommended Resources:

• More of postpartum depression at womensmentalhealth.org
• Learn more about Hope Edelman and the Motherless Daughters Community
• Connect with a Specialized Coordinator at Postpartum Support International

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** Cancer, COVID-19, loss, grief, depression

Like What You Heard?

• Subscribe so you never miss an episode
• Leave us a review to share your feedback
• Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

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.

Welcome back to So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs! Birth is a journey that can bring incredible joy—but for many, it can also come with unexpected challenges. This week, we hear from Kara about a topic that hits home for so many parents: healing from a traumatic birth and deciding whether to have another child. Then, our host Allie Hales speaks to her own birth experiences—the highs, the lows, and what she wishes she knew. If you’ve felt overwhelmed by your birth experience or unsure about what comes next, this episode is for you. We hope you come away from this episode with practical insights, actionable tips, and a reminder to be compassionate with yourself as you navigate the unexpected challenges that come with pregnancy and parenthood.

Recommended Resources:

• More on trauma and PTSD at womensmentalhealth.org
• Find a support group with Postpartum Support International

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** Birth trauma, PTSD, OCD

Like What You Heard?

• Subscribe so you never miss an episode
• Leave us a review to share your feedback
• Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

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.

Welcome back to So Glad you Asked! In this episode, we’re diving into a crucial but often overlooked topic: the safe use of psychiatric medications during pregnancy. You'll hear from a listener with bipolar disorder who asks Dr. Ruta if it’s safe to stay on her medications while planning for pregnancy. Plus, author and advocate Michelle Yang shares her personal journey navigating pregnancy with mental illness, as well as her unique cultural experiences as an Asian mom. We hope you leave today’s conversation with tangible insights and actionable tips to make the best decisions for your health and your family. As always, we’re so glad you asked!

Recommended Resources:

• More on medication safety in pregnancy @ Dr. Ruta’s Resource Hub
• Are you taking psychiatric medications during pregnancy? Learn more about the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications
• Get to know Michelle Yang and order your copy of Phoenix Girl today

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** Bipolar Disorder

Like What You Heard?

• Subscribe so you never miss an episode
• Leave us a review to share your feedback
• Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

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.