In this special series premiere, Dr. Sterling shares exclusive content from the Sterling Parents pregnancy course, breaking down exactly what you need to know in those first crucial weeks after seeing those two pink lines. From calculating your due date to choosing the right provider, this episode offers evidence-based guidance for starting your pregnancy journey.Key Moments [35 mins]00:00 - Series introduction and app announcement 03:15 - Calculating your due date accurately 08:30 - When to schedule first appointments 15:45 - Choosing your healthcare provider 22:30 - Prenatal vitamin essentials 28:15 - Managing early pregnancy emotionsExpert InsightsDr. Sterling breaks down:Why 8-10 weeks is standard for first appointmentsExceptions for earlier careNICU levels and hospital selectionPractice styles and their pros/consPrenatal vitamin componentsEarly pregnancy emotional changesConnect With UsJoin Sterling Parents Membership Instagram: @askdrsterlingpodcastSubmit questions: [email protected]

In this insightful episode, Dr. Sterling welcomes Dr. Cassidy Freitas, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in maternal mental health. Using her powerful "car metaphor," Dr. Cassidy breaks down how to develop a new relationship with anxiety during the reproductive years and beyond, offering practical tools for managing anxious thoughts without trying to eliminate them completely.Powerful Quotes"Anxiety is like a backseat passenger in your car - it has important data to share, but it shouldn't be in the driver's seat." - Dr. Cassidy "We can only avoid these parts of ourselves for so long until they get louder and louder to the point where we can't ignore them anymore." - Dr. Cassidy Connect With UsFollow Dr. Cassidy: @drcassidy and check out drcassidymft.com Join Sterling Parents: sterlingparents.comSubmit questions: [email protected]

In this powerful episode, Dr. Sterling sits down with Erica Djossa, registered psychotherapist and founder of Momwell, to unpack the invisible mental load of motherhood. From her personal breakdown-turned-breakthrough after her third postpartum experience to creating an innovative maternal mental health platform, Erica shares insights on why mothers carry so much invisible work and how to create more equitable partnerships.Key Moments [45 mins]00:00 - Introduction to the mental load crisis 07:15 - The "laundry mountain" breaking point 15:30 - Gender roles and societal conditioning 22:45 - Partner dynamics and sharing knowledge 32:20 - Raising boys to challenge default patterns 38:45 - Creating sustainable support systemsConnect With UsFollow Momwell: @momwellJoin Sterling Parents: sterlingparents.comSubmit questions: [email protected]

Join Dr. Sterling and she dives deep into the science behind nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP), affecting over 90% of pregnant people. Drawing from both current research and her personal experience with severe pregnancy nausea, Dr. Sterling breaks down why it happens, what's normal, and most importantly - how to get help when you need it.Key Moments [45 mins]00:00 - Introduction and prevalence of NVP 05:30 - The science behind pregnancy nausea 15:45 - Risk factors and genetic components 22:30 - Treatment options and medication safety 35:15 - Nutrition strategies and prenatal vitamins 40:00 - When and how to advocate for yourselfMyth-Busting Quotes"It's not in your head. There's a reason you feel so terrible - we have the science to prove it." - Dr. Sterling"We are prescribing too few medications for this and aren't moving people through the treatment algorithm at a fast enough pace." - Dr. SterlingConnect With UsJoin Sterling Parents Membership Instagram: @askdrsterlingpodcastSubmit questions: [email protected]

Episode SummaryIn this powerful episode, Dr. Sterling sits down with Kimberley Quinlan, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD, anxiety, and self-compassion. With her unique background in cognitive behavioral therapy from Oxford and extensive experience treating anxiety disorders, Kimberley shares profound insights on why self-criticism often intensifies in motherhood and how to break free from perfectionism.Key Moments [45 mins]00:00 - Introduction to Kimberley Quinlan's expertise 05:30 - The evolutionary roots of self-criticism 12:15 - Why self-compassion is harder in motherhood 18:45 - Breaking free from achievement-based worth 25:30 - Practical self-compassion exercises 35:20 - Modeling self-kindness for our childrenPowerful Quotes"The practice of self-criticism and self-judgment actually has played a role in our evolution... However, now we're not in that threatening environment. We're overusing a strategy that can be helpful in dire situations in everyday life." - Kimberley Quinlan"Being willing to feel your emotions is actually, it's so simple. But listen... these very simple things of being slightly kinder to yourself and feeling your emotions... can be life changing." - Dr. SterlingResources MentionedKimberley's Website & PodcastKimberley's Instagram: @youranxietytoolkitSterling Parents MembershipConnect With UsFollow Ask Dr. Sterling: @askdrsterlingpodcastJoin Sterling Parents Membership for expert supportSubmit questions: [email protected]

In this candid mini episode, Dr. Sterling and co-host Claire share their personal stories of being shockingly unprepared for postpartum. After a listener reached out through their new broadcast channel asking how an OB-GYN could be unprepared, Dr. Sterling breaks down the reality of postpartum preparation in 2024 versus her first experience in 2017.Quick Listen Highlights [25 mins]00:00 - Introduction and listener question 03:45 - Dr. Sterling's 2017 postpartum experience 08:30 - The Pinterest-perfect nursery trap 12:15 - What actually matters postpartum 16:40 - Physical vs emotional preparation 20:30 - Critical life skills for new parentsReal Talk TakeawaysWhy physical prep isn't enoughThe mental load no one talks aboutHow social media has changed postpartum expectationsWhy nursery decoration shouldn't be your priorityEssential emotional preparation strategiesWhat Actually Matters"Challenging doesn't have to mean terrible. There are ways to prepare ourselves with life skills, but they're not things you can learn at 32 weeks from a blog." - Dr. SterlingSterling Parents TipsStart emotional preparation early in pregnancyFocus on your bedroom setup over nursery decorationBuild critical life skills before baby arrivesCreate a healing, calming space where you'll actually spend timeInvest in support systems over aesthetic itemsConnect With UsJoin our Broadcast Channel: @drsterlingobgyn on InstagramSterling Parents MembershipSubmit your questions: [email protected]

Join Dr. Sterling as she sits down with Dr. Emily Seidler, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF and Harvard Medical School instructor, who shares her powerful transition from fertility specialist to IVF patient. Learn how her professional expertise shaped her personal fertility journey, including her decision to freeze eggs at age 33 and ultimately use them to conceive her daughter through IVF at age 39.Key Moments00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Emily Seidler's story 05:30 - The decision to freeze eggs in her early 30s 12:45 - Transitioning from doctor to patient 18:20 - Making the choice to use frozen eggs 25:30 - The IVF transfer process and success 35:40 - Professional insights gained from personal experienceEpisode Highlights"Egg freezing is not an insurance policy, but it's a reassurance policy." - Dr. Emily SeidlerExpert InsightsDr. Seidler debunks common fertility myths and shares evidence-based approaches to:Timing of fertility treatmentsGenetic testing optionsEmbryo transfer protocolsAge-related fertility decisionsManaging treatment expectationsFollow Dr. Emily Seidler: @EmilySeiderMD on InstagramConnect With UsFollow Ask Dr. Sterling Podcast: @askdrsterlingpodcastJoin Sterling Parents MembershipSubmit your questions: [email protected]

Enjoy one of our top episodes from 2024!As someone who is obsessed with finding effective ways to manage stress, it’s time for Dr. Sterling to share her insights and practical tips to help you navigate the stressful periods of trying to conceive, pregnancy, and postpartum.Co-host, Claire, brings questions from the listeners on the often-debated topic of self-care and how you can possibly incorporate stress reduction into a busy life, leading Dr. Sterling to open up about her own postpartum challenges. Tune in to a conversation that promises to leave you feeling empowered and ready to tackle your stress head-on._____________The Ask Dr. Sterling podcast is here to tackle your burning questions - the ones you are too nervous to ask your OB. Have a question for Dr. Sterling to answer on the podcast? Send it to [email protected]!Follow us at @askdrsterlingpodcast on Instagram & tiktok and check out the only membership designed to reduce the worries & anxieties of pregnancy and postpartum - Sterling Parents MembershipHost: Dr. Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership

Enjoy the top episode from this season!Do you have burning questions about birth that you're too embarrassed to ask? In this entertaining & eye opening Q&A episode of the Ask Dr. Sterling Podcast, Dr. Sterling answers the most common (and awkward!) questions she gets about childbirth. From the reality of pooping during labor to whether epidurals really slow things down, Dr. Sterling shares the truth behind these labor myths and more!Have you ever wondered if you should shave or wax before delivery? Or maybe you’ve heard stories of women having orgasms during childbirth and are curious if that’s actually a thing. What about using a mirror during labor? And what’s the deal with those intense labor shakes? Dr. Sterling covers it all in this no-holds-barred conversation.Tune in to this episode and get the answers to all those questions you’ve been dying to ask but didn’t know who to turn to!______________________________The Ask Dr. Sterling podcast is here to tackle your burning questions - the ones you are too nervous to ask your OB. Have a question for Dr. Sterling to answer on the podcast? Send it to [email protected]!Follow us at @askdrsterlingpodcast on Instagram & tiktok and check out the only membership designed to reduce the worries & anxieties of pregnancy and postpartum - Sterling Parents MembershipHost: Dr. Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership

In this eye-opening episode of Ask Dr. Sterling, Dr. Sterling sits down with licensed perinatal therapist Gayane Aramyan, LMFT, to dismantle the common myth of maternal instinct—that every mom will feel an immediate, overwhelming bond with their baby.Together, they explore why bonding doesn’t always happen instantly and why it’s normal. From physical recovery and mental health to a baby’s unique temperament, Dr. Sterling and Gayane unpack the complex realities of early motherhood. They also discuss how to stop blaming yourself, reframe unrealistic expectations, and embrace self-compassion during one of life’s biggest transitions.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Myth of Maternal Instinct: Why society’s idea of an “instant bond” can be harmful—and what bonding really looks like.The Factors That Influence Bonding: How recovery, mental health, and even a baby’s temperament impact the early connection.Reframing Expectations: Practical ways to stop self-blame and embrace the learning curve of motherhood.When to Seek Support: Tips for identifying when to ask for help and how to access resources for postpartum mental health.Why You Should Listen:If you’ve ever felt guilt or shame for not feeling an immediate bond with your baby, this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and supported. Dr. Sterling and Gayane provide a compassionate perspective, reminding moms that love and connection take time—and that there’s no “right” way to become a mother.Resources Mentioned:Gayane Aramyan, LMFT: Follow Gayane for more perinatal mental health insights.Sterling Parents Membership: Access tools, expert guidance, and resources to support you in pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.Postpartum Support International: (Postpartum.net) Find additional resources and support for postpartum mental health.____________________________________The Ask Dr. Sterling podcast answers the questions you’re too nervous to ask your doctor. Send your questions to [email protected] or DM us on Instagram @askdrsterlingpodcast.If you loved this episode, don’t forget to rate, review, and share!