In a recent episode of the Healthful Woman podcast, “Pregnancy and Life Through the Eyes of a Clinical Psychologist, Part Two,” host Dr. Nathan Fox and licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Aria B. Grillo discussed her experience during pregnancy after an intrauterine insemination. They also discuss the feelings and emotions many individuals experience during their pregnancies.
Dr. Grillo’s Pregnancy
After experiencing a miscarriage, Dr. Grillo met with a fertility doctor and began exploring her options. She learned that no referral was necessary to see a fertility specialist, allowing her to schedule an appointment and discuss her options. Her doctor recommended an IUI, and she agreed, receiving a medicated IUI, which resulted in a successful pregnancy on the first attempt. Dr. Grillo shared, “We were able to get pregnant with Hudson on the first try of the IUI, which they said could have been in part of having a miscarriage that the body was, you know, primed and ready. And so I really was in this good window, and I felt emotionally ready to try.”
Dr. Grillo’s Anxiety During Pregnancy
Though grateful, she described the pregnancy as filled with anxiety, sharing, “I think when anybody says, ‘How was your pregnancy?” I would say, “Well, how would you feel holding your breath for nine months?” Dr. Grillo noted that pregnancy varies from person to person. Some prefer a hands-off approach, while others closely track each stage. In her case, she chose to have frequent checkups, genetic testing, and amniocentesis. She explained that concerns during pregnancy are often affected by past experiences, medical knowledge, or information found online. She shared, “When you think about 9 months, 10 months, maybe even a year if you’re doing any sort of procedures, I mean, that is a lot of time to wait for anything. And we are an anxious population of people, so… that does not help our anxiety.”
Dr. Grillo’s Birth Experience
After experiencing a miscarriage at another practice, Dr. Grillo went on to have two children delivered with the team at Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates. Her first delivery involved a cesarean section after 23 hours of labor with minimal progress. Although she did not have a strict birth plan, she trusted her care team to guide her through the process safely. During the C-section, she requested a clear drape, opted not to have her arms secured, and played music to stay grounded. For her second child, she scheduled a C-section to feel more in control during the birth experience, though she remained open to a vaginal delivery if labor progressed on its own. Dr. Fox and Dr. Melka ultimately performed the scheduled C-section and delivered her second healthy baby.
Judgment and Opinions on Pregnancy and Birth
Dr. Grillo and Dr. Fox discussed how pregnancy and birth decisions are often judged more harshly than decisions in other areas of medicine. People may comment on topics ranging from medication use to delivery. Dr. Grillo discussed how common it is to measure and compare details, including weight, labor length, and feeding methods. These comparisons can lead to feelings of guilt, even when the outcome of having a healthy baby is the same.
Learn More
To learn more about what Dr. Nathan Fox and Dr. Aria B. Grillo have to say, listen to the full episode on the Healthful Woman podcast. For more information on family planning, visit Carnegie Women’s Health by scheduling an appointment through our online form.
