So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales

Why Does Miscarriage Feel so Isolating?

Stigma is, unfortunately, a common thread across So Glad You Asked. In this episode, we explore the silence, stigma, and shame that can surround miscarriage. Even though 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, much of the grief and recovery still happens in private. Dr. Jessica Zucker, a Los Angeles–based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and author of the award-winning books NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives and I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement, joins Dr. Ruta and Allie for a thoughtful and deeply important conversation about bringing miscarriage into the open. Dr. Zucker shares the story behind her viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign, offers guidance on what to say—and what not to say—and discusses ways to cope with anxiety in future pregnancies. We hope this conversation helps break some of the silence and reminds you that you’re not alone. Resources: * NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives [https://www.drjessicazucker.com/normalize-it] * I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement [https://www.drjessicazucker.com/i-had-a-miscarriage] * Saying it Loudly: I Had a Miscarriage - The New York Times [https://archive.nytimes.com/parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/15/saying-it-loudly-i-had-a-miscarriage/]  * Loss and Grief in Pregnancy & Postpartum - Postpartum Support International [https://postpartum.net/get-help/loss-grief-in-pregnancy-postpartum/] * More from Dr. Ruta on womensmentalhealth.org [https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/tag/miscarriage/] 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** Miscarriage, depression, anxiety, trauma  Like What You Heard? * Subscribe so you never miss an episode * Leave us a review to share your feedback * Sign up for our newsletter [http://eepurl.com/jjw8ts] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sogladyouaskedpodcast/] 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 [https://womensmentalhealth.org/] and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation [https://www.jwasmarriottfoundation.org/].

What Happens When Pregnancy Doesn’t Go as Planned?

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 [https://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Navigating-Pregnancy-Complications-ParentData/dp/0593652770] by Emily Oster and Nathan Fox * Reach out to a Postpartum Support International Specialized Coordinator [https://postpartum.net/get-help/specialized-support-resources/] * Learn more about pregnancy complications [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24442-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  Like What You Heard? * Subscribe so you never miss an episode * Leave us a review to share your feedback * Sign up for our newsletter [http://eepurl.com/jjw8ts] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sogladyouaskedpodcast/] 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 [https://womensmentalhealth.org/] and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation [https://www.jwasmarriottfoundation.org/].

When Does Normal Worry Become Postpartum Anxiety?

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 [https://www.amazon.com/Rattled-Anxiety-Power-Postpartum-Brain/dp/1682688305]by Nicole Pensak * Postpartum Support International [https://postpartum.net/] * Learn more on our Resource Hub [https://womensmentalhealth.org/resource-hub-postpartum-anxiety/] 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 [http://eepurl.com/jjw8ts] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sogladyouaskedpodcast/] 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 [https://womensmentalhealth.org/] and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation [https://www.jwasmarriottfoundation.org/].

Welcome Back: So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs Season 2

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 [http://eepurl.com/jjw8ts] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sogladyouaskedpodcast/] 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 [https://womensmentalhealth.org/] and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation [https://www.jwasmarriottfoundation.org/].

We're Here To Help You Answer: Do I Have Postpartum Depression or Anxiety?

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 [https://www.instagram.com/mghcwmh/] to hear Dr. Ruta answer more listener questions and explore our resource hub at womensmentalhealth.org [http://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 [https://womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics/postpartum-psychiatric-disorders-2/] * Learn more about Perinatal OCD and Psychosis [https://postpartum.net/perinatal-ocd-psychosis-breaking-down-the-stereotypes/] * Find a therapist or join a support group at postpartum.net [https://postpartum.net/]  * Watch the trailer [https://womensmentalhealth.org/more-than-blue-documentary/] 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 [http://eepurl.com/jjw8ts] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sogladyouaskedpodcast/] 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 [https://womensmentalhealth.org/] and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation [https://www.jwasmarriottfoundation.org/].