So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs

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 PensakPostpartum Support InternationalLearn more on our Resource HubDisclaimer: 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 episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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 episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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.orgLearn more about Perinatal OCD and PsychosisFind a therapist or join a support group at postpartum.net Watch the trailer for More Than Blue, a documentary on postpartum depression across AmericaDisclaimer: 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 episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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.orgFind a support group with Postpartum Support InternationalRead more about Fed is BestDisclaimer: 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 episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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.orgLearn more about Hope Edelman and the Motherless Daughters CommunityConnect with a Specialized Coordinator at Postpartum Support InternationalDisclaimer: 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 episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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.orgFind a support group with Postpartum Support InternationalDisclaimer: 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 episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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 HubAre you taking psychiatric medications during pregnancy? Learn more about the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric MedicationsGet to know Michelle Yang and order your copy of Phoenix Girl todayDisclaimer: 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 episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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. 

Today, our hosts dive even deeper into a conversation with Dr. Jade Wu - a leading sleep expert and psychologist - on a topic that literally keeps moms up at night - Sleep. From understanding the science of how sleep changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period, to practical tips you can use right away, this is a must-listen: what every mom should know about sleep.Recommended Resources:Check out Dr. Ruta’s Resource HubLearn More about Dr. Jade WuFind your copy of Hello Sleep hereDisclaimer: 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 Anxiety, Depression Like What You Heard?Subscribe so you never miss an episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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 very first episode of So Glad you Asked! We’re kicking off with the #1 most requested topic — sleep — based on input from hundreds of providers and parents we surveyed for this show. You'll hear from Emily, a newly postpartum mom as she shares the real questions that literally keep her up at night: struggling with sleep while juggling both a toddler and newborn at home! We’re also joined by Dr. Jade Wu, a board-certified psychologist & leading sleep expert, who helps us explore common sleep challenges for pregnant and postpartum moms — along with practical, evidenced-based strategies to tackle them. We hope you walk away from today’s conversation with tangible insights and actionable tips that will transform your sleep routine at home. And as always - we’re so glad you asked! Recommended Resources: More on Sleep at Dr. Ruta’s Resource HubLearn More about Dr. Jade WuFind your copy of Hello Sleep hereDisclaimer: 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 Anxiety, Depression Like What You Heard?Subscribe so you never miss an episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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. 

Introducing: Motherhood comes with a million questions. So why is it so hard to get real answers? Why does society tell moms to just “push through” - like it’s just part of the job? And when moms do ask for help, why is the first place we turn to Google? Why are we left scrolling social media or scouring the internet for answers?That's why we created So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs - a show where you bring your toughest maternal and mental health questions to top experts and get real, evidence-based answers and actionable resources. Co-hosted by Dr. Ruta Nonacs, a clinical psychiatrist at Mass General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Allie Hales, a mom of four - this show isn't just for real moms, it's by real moms. Because moms don't just deserve support, they deserve solutions - whether before or during pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Each episode we take on questions that keep moms up at night. Every conversation is led by YOU. Your questions, your experiences, your mental health—front and center. No question is too small. No topic is off-limits. You ask. We answer. Like What You Heard?Subscribe so you never miss an episodeLeave us a review to share your feedbackSign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clipsSo 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.