Pass the Pie… and "Oh, I Had PPD Too"

The holidays bring joy, chaos, and sometimes difficult conversations. How do you respond when a family member shares their postpartum struggles at the dinner table—or when you want to speak up about your own experience? In this episode, Sarah talks with reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Claire Smith about navigating maternal mental health conversations. They discuss how to share your own experience, support loved ones through theirs and understand family risk factors without succumbing to fear. You'll learn practical strategies for protecting your mental health during the holidays, what having risk factors actually means, and how to prepare if you've previously experienced postpartum depression or anxiety. Consider this your holiday survival guide for these important conversations. About Dr. Claire Smith: Dr. Claire Smith is a perinatal psychiatrist in the Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health (WRBH) clinic, which serves to specifically help women who are pregnant or up to one year postpartum. She provides both therapy and medication management in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, grief and loss, substance use disorders, and other mental health concerns.