The Surgeon General’s Wake-Up Call: Managing Pregnancy and Parenting Stress in Today’s World

In this episode of Ask Dr. Sterling, Dr. Sterling digs into the Surgeon General’s recent announcement declaring parental stress a public health crisis. As a board-certified OB-GYN, she shares her expert take on what this means for parents and parents-to-be, why stress impacts pregnancy and postpartum outcomes, and—most importantly—what we can do about it. Whether you're expecting, a new parent, or deep in the trenches of parenting, this episode offers a fresh perspective on managing stress in an increasingly overwhelming world.

Key Moments Covered:

• The Surgeon General Speaks Out: Dr. Sterling explains why this declaration matters and how it validates the struggles parents face daily.
• Pregnancy-Specific Stress: Learn how stress uniquely affects pregnancy outcomes and fetal development—and why this isn't just about managing feelings, but protecting your health.
• Inevitable vs. Avoidable Stress: Dr. Sterling offers practical advice on how to identify and manage the stress you can’t avoid, while cutting out what you can.
• The Cost of Modern Parenting: Why raising kids has become more expensive, and how unrealistic parenting expectations are leaving parents overwhelmed.
• How Stress Affects Child Development: Dr. Sterling explains the interconnected nature of family well-being and how postpartum mental health impacts children’s emotional development.

This episode blends real talk with practical advice on how to manage stress during the reproductive journey—without adding more pressure. Dr. Sterling also shares her personal story of navigating stress as an OB-GYN mom and why she believes we need more than just awareness to truly support parents.

Resources Mentioned:

• Sterling Parents Membership: Get expert-led support through pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. (Including the Calm Body + Calm Mind Workshop series)
• Surgeon General’s Report on Parental Stress: Learn more about the recent announcement and public health recommendations.

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The Ask Dr. Sterling podcast answers your most pressing questions—the ones you might be too nervous to ask your OB. Have a question for Dr. Sterling? Send it to podcast@sterlingparents.com!

Follow us at @askdrsterling on Instagram & TikTok, and explore the only membership designed to reduce the worries and anxieties of pregnancy and postpartum—Sterling Parents Membership.

Host: Dr. Noa Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership