Raising a child takes a village and affects the health and wellbeing of everyone involved. Most resources for new parents, understandably, focus on moms, often leaving out fathers, grandparents, friends, and other caregivers who may need support, too.

Dr. Ruta and Allie sit down with Dr. Sheehan Fisher, PhD—Associate Professor and perinatal clinical psychologist at Northwestern University—to talk about how to support a partner after a new baby arrives, when caregivers themselves may need help, and how open, proactive communication can strengthen the wellbeing of the entire family.

No matter what your family looks like or how you divide caregiving responsibilities, this episode is for you. Children and families thrive when all caregivers are supported.

Resources:

• Paternal Mental Health Factsheet prepared by MMHLA, Dr. Fisher, and Daniel B. Singley, Ph.D., ABPP, PMH-C.
• Read more from Dr. Ruta Nonacs (womensmentalhealth.org) and Dr. Sheehan Fisher (New York Times) about how postpartum depression shows up in dads.
• Postpartum Support International support groups and other resources for fathers, single parents, and queer and trans families.
• Learn about Fathers’ UpLift.

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** Depression, anxiety, trauma, stroke

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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.

Mental health during pregnancy plays a critical role in postpartum well-being, yet many people aren’t sure what’s safe or where to start. If you’ve ever wondered how to get help or how to support someone you love, you’re not alone.

It’s important that pregnant people have access to safe, effective mental health care. That’s why reproductive psychiatrists and OB-GYNs often work together to provide the best support. In this episode, Dr. Ruta and Allie are joined by reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Marlene Freeman, MD, and OB-GYN Dr. Jessica Vernon, MD, PMH-C, to talk through what to look for, how to ask for help, and how to decide what treatment is right for you.

Whether you’re planning for pregnancy, navigating new symptoms, supporting someone you love, caring for a patient, or looking for evidence-based guidance on medication safety, Drs. Nonacs, Freeman, and Vernon walk you through your next steps.

Resources:

• Learn about pregnancy and breastfeeding medication safety from MotherToBaby. Listen to their podcast to hear more about everything from sushi to the RSV vaccine.
• Read more on psychiatric medications safety in pregnancy from the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health.
• For more information on research about psychiatric medication use during pregnancy visit the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications website.

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** Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation

Like What You Heard?

• Subscribe so you never miss an episode
• Leave us a review to share your feedback
• Learn more at sogladyouasked.org
• 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.

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
• I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement
• Saying it Loudly: I Had a Miscarriage - The New York Times
• Loss and Grief in Pregnancy & Postpartum - Postpartum Support International
• More from Dr. Ruta on womensmentalhealth.org

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
• Learn more at sogladyouasked.org
• 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.