Emily Oster: Moving Forward After Pregnancy Loss

When pregnancy veers off the script, what do you do next—and how do you reclaim your power? Chrissy talks to economist and parenting data expert Emily Oster discussing her bestseller The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications, translating the hardest parts of miscarriage, stillbirth, preeclampsia, hyperemesis, and postpartum mental health into clear questions, better conversations with your care team, and compassionate next steps.

 

Five Key Takeaways

• Name it to navigate it: Understanding what actually happened (not just the label) is the first step toward clarity, closure, and planning.
• Ask the four questions: What happened? Why did it happen to me? Could it happen again (and how likely)? What can we do to lower the risk or prepare?
• Recurrence isn’t one-size-fits-all: Some complications (e.g., gestational diabetes, postpartum depression) have higher repeat risk; others (like many abruptions) are less likely to recur—plan accordingly.
• Advocacy is a skill: Decide the communication style you want (all the numbers vs. big-picture), switch providers if you don’t feel heard, and bring your true self to appointments.
• Postpartum is medical, not moral: Screening for depression/anxiety (for birthing and non-birthing partners), pelvic recovery, lactation after loss, and body-image grief deserve proactive care—not silence or shame.

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