Episode
Infertility, Intrusive Thoughts, and Three Kiddos Through ART: Ruby Smoot’s Story of Surviving the Dark and Finding the Light
- Published
- Jan 29, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2902
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://www.infertileafgroup.com/podcast
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Summary
On today's episode, content creator and mama of three Ruby Smoot gets real about the parts of infertility and pregnancy after infertility we don’t talk about enough — the mental health spiral, the obsessive thoughts, the fear, and the quiet, heavy darkness that can creep in while you’re trying so hard to become a parent. In this deeply candid conversation, Ruby opens up about pregnancy after infertility while battling OCD and intrusive thoughts, navigating severe nausea called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), and what it felt like to hold hope and despair at the same time, and how becoming pregnant didn’t magically erase the mental health struggles she was carrying. Because as many of us know: having babies doesn’t fix everything — you still have to heal. She also talks about getting pregnant again, and having HG a second time. Now a mom of three kiddos, Ruby reflects on what she wishes she’d known, how she got support, and why talking honestly about maternal mental health might be the most important thing we can do for each other. Follow her on IG: @rubydu91 And TikTok: ruby.du EPISODE SPONSORS: THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. Order "Work of ART," "Beautiful Bird" and "You Are a Work of ART," now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books FERTILITY RALLY IG: @fertilityrally www.fertilityrally.com No one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and vir…