The journey into motherhood is frequently described as a profound identity shift, an experience that alters an individual’s perspective before they even meet their child. For actress Chloe Bridges and board-certified OBGYN Dr. Charis Chambers, navigating this transformation meant embracing the chaotic and beautiful realities of new parenthood while simultaneously tackling critical public health conversations. In a candid and deeply personal discussion on The Motherly Podcast, both women opened up about the challenges of the transition, the necessity of building a trusted support network, and what every expectant mother needs to know about protecting her newborn from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The episode highlights how pregnancy serves as a crash course in invisible responsibilities. Bridges, known for her extensive career in film and television and as a graduate of Columbia University, welcomed her first child, her son Beau, with her husband, actor and comedian Adam Devine, in February 2024. Dr. Chambers, widely recognized online as The Period Doctor, serves as the Chief Medical Officer at the cycle-tracking app Clue and authored The Period and Puberty Parenting Revolution. She lives with her husband, Zachary, and their son, Joshua. Together, the two mothers explored the emotional, physical, and mental landscapes of entering motherhood for the first time.
What Was the First Lesson That Motherhood Taught You?
Reflecting on the earliest days of caring for a newborn, Bridges noted that the most significant lesson she learned was the temporary nature of daily struggles. In the initial weeks, she found herself feeling intensely anxious if her son failed to nap or struggled with sleep, immediately worrying that it signaled a permanent pattern. Over time, she realized that everything is constantly changing and in flux. A difficult day does not dictate tomorrow, just as a smooth day offers no absolute guarantees for the future.
Dr. Chambers approached the lesson from a different, yet equally relatable, angle. As someone who takes immense pride in her professional and personal accomplishments, she quickly realized that motherhood does not reward self-sufficiency at the expense of well-being. She learned that there is no badge of honor in suffering alone. Whether needing assistance due to competing demands, physical illness, or simply the fundamental need for rest and restoration, Dr. Chambers discovered that asking for and accepting help is not a sign of weakness, but a vital component of sustainable parenting.
How Would You Describe Your Mindset Heading into Motherhood for the First Time?
Entering the unknown presented distinct psychological hurdles for both women. Bridges admitted that she largely avoided thinking too deeply about the postpartum period because she simply did not know what to expect. She resonated with the common adage that two people are born on the day a child arrives: the baby itself, and the mother. Despite trying to mentally prepare for the shift, she found the actual reality to be profoundly surreal.
Dr. Chambers described an instantaneous wave of gratitude followed by a sudden, grounding realization that the entire framework of her daily life had shifted. All of her prior beliefs, visions for the future, and structured to-do lists dissolved in an instant. She experienced an immense sense of joy coupled with a nervousness that matched the immense weight and responsibility of her new role.
Navigating the Identity Shift of New Motherhood
The conversation naturally turned to the profound identity shifts both women experienced. Dr. Chambers reflected on what it meant to step into a role she had desired for a long time but could never fully control or guarantee. Unlike earning a medical degree through structured education and professional milestones, motherhood is a role that is given rather than strictly achieved. Spending years yearning for that future while remaining uncertain of the outcome made the eventual transition a permanent and deeply emotional milestone.
Invisible Responsibilities and Difficult Pregnancy Decisions
Pregnancy often forces expectant parents to confront invisible responsibilities and difficult choices long before a baby arrives. For Bridges, this meant a sudden and intense hyper-awareness regarding her own health. While she had not previously obsessed over wellness routines, pregnancy instantly reframed her daily habits. Every decision—from limiting caffeine intake and avoiding foods associated with listeria to strictly adhering to prenatal vitamin schedules—was viewed through the lens of shared health with her developing child.
Dr. Chambers faced a unique set of circumstances. Despite possessing advanced medical knowledge as an OBGYN, she found herself experiencing pregnancy from an unfamiliar vantage point: that of the patient. During her pregnancy, she faced a shortened cervix and had to weigh whether to pursue invasive interventions like a cerclage or rely on vaginal progesterone. The emotional weight of these medical considerations collided with personal life events, such as navigating a best friend’s destination bachelorette party in a remote area of Mexico. Ultimately, she had to stand firmly in her personal values and prioritize the health of her pregnancy, supported by an understanding and compassionate friend group.
Finding Trustworthy Advice Amid the Noise
Expectant mothers are frequently bombarded with conflicting guidance from social media, peer group chats, family members, and medical professionals. When building her baby registry, Dr. Chambers initially found the overwhelming array of choices paralyzing. To cut through the clutter, she handed her registry login to her sister with full permission to make the selections. However, regarding her high-risk medical care, she relied on a cohesive team of specialists—including her nephrologist, high-risk maternal-fetal medicine doctor, and delivering OBGYN—ensuring everyone was aligned and communicating effectively.
Bridges similarly felt overwhelmed by the registry process but leaned heavily on digital resources, online communities, and instructional videos in the absence of a large peer group of fellow parents who had gone before her. Above all, she emphasized the invaluable role of her OBGYN, whose guidance she trusted implicitly and relied upon throughout her pregnancy and delivery.
Understanding RSV and Infant Vulnerability
A major focus of the conversation centered on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a highly contagious respiratory infection that poses significant risks to infants, particularly during their first six months of life. Dr. Chambers explained that RSV tends to circulate heavily during the fall and winter months and remains the leading cause of hospitalization for babies in the United States, with nearly half of all RSV-related hospitalizations occurring within the first three months of life.
Unlike typical colds or flus that might present with standard fevers, RSV often manifests as noticeable distress in how an infant breathes. Parents should watch for retractions and the physical exertion associated with the work of breathing. Affected babies can become extremely fatigued, and rapid, noisy breathing serves as an immediate red flag requiring prompt medical evaluation. Because infant immune systems are still developing, RSV can rapidly escalate into severe lower respiratory tract disease and infant mortality.
The Role of Maternal Immunization
To help safeguard newborns during their most vulnerable period, Dr. Chambers and Bridges discussed the availability of maternal immunization options. When expectant mothers are eligible, receiving a vaccine during pregnancy allows them to naturally generate antibodies against RSV and pass them along to the developing baby. This maternal immunization helps protect the newborn from the moment of birth through their first six months of life, a window when they face the highest risk of severe infection.
Bridges shared that RSV was not initially on her radar until her OBGYN introduced her to ABRYSVO, Pfizer’s respiratory syncytial virus vaccine. Administered during 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy, the vaccine is timed specifically to avoid the potential risk of preterm birth while effectively transferring protective antibodies. Common side effects for pregnant individuals include injection site pain, headaches, muscle pain, and nausea, while infants may occasionally experience low birth weight or jaundice. Health authorities note that ABRYSVO should not be given to individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to any of its components, and studies have observed an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome following vaccination.
Managing New Motherhood Anxiety and Mental Preparation
Addressing the emotional hurdles of the postpartum period, Bridges noted that the sudden influx of medical information late in pregnancy can feel rushed. She advocated for early education so that expectant mothers have adequate time to research and process important health decisions without feeling pressured by strict gestational windows.
Dr. Chambers reiterated the importance of dismantling the habit of hyper-independence. By learning to explicitly voice their needs—whether asking a sister to assemble a breast pump or requesting a nap from a mother-in-law—mothers can protect their mental health. Both women stressed that successfully navigating early parenthood requires acknowledging that motherhood is a team effort built upon a reliable village of support.
Hopes for the Future
As the conversation concluded, both mothers reflected on the kind of legacy they hope to leave for their children. Bridges expressed a desire to be seen not only as competent and capable, but also as playful and fun, hoping her son looks back fondly on the joyful moments they shared together. Dr. Chambers shared her hope that her son views her as a trusted, loving guide whose decisions—made even before his birth—were consistently grounded in unconditional love and a commitment to his well-being.
