A maternal-health expert explains why Cardi B’s honesty about pregnancy depression matters

When Cardi B sat down with Jay Shetty on his On Purpose podcast, fans expected laughter, life updates, and maybe a few of her signature one-liners. What they didn’t expect was raw vulnerability. The Grammy-winning artist spoke openly about feeling “the love dying” near the end of her marriage to Offset—and how that emotional unraveling collided with the realities of pregnancy.

“I felt the love dying from my end — from my end, from his end. I was very lonely because I chose to be lonely,” she shared on the podcast episode, her voice steady but weighted with memory.

Behind the glamour and viral headlines, Cardi described what so many mothers experience quietly: a deep sense of isolation and uncertainty about the future. She admitted that thoughts of raising her baby alone and losing her partner’s companionship spiralled into sadness and depression.

Related: 16 celebrities who have shared their postpartum depression stories

Shining a light on prenatal depression

While postpartum depression is widely discussed, prenatal—or antenatal—depression is less recognized, even though it affects a significant number of pregnant women. As per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, perinatal depression—including both prenatal and postpartum depression—affects approximately one in seven women. Depression during pregnancy can be overlooked because its symptoms often overlap with normal pregnancy changes, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.

Cardi’s candour matters because it reframes what pregnancy can look like emotionally. It’s not always glowing skin and nursery prep—it can also be grief, loneliness, and fear. And talking about it doesn’t make a mother ungrateful or weak; it makes her human.

Finding strength through healing

Cardi’s openness also highlights a form of depression that’s often overlooked. Dr. Catherine Monk, a leading researcher in maternal mental health at Columbia University, notes that maternal mental health plays a crucial role in both pregnancy and early child development. Her research shows that stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy can affect not only a mother’s well-being but also fetal health and long-term outcomes for children.

That’s what makes Cardi B’s openness so powerful—it helps break the stigma that often keeps expectant mothers silent about emotional pain. By speaking out, she reminds women that addressing their mental health isn’t selfish—it’s a vital part of caring for both themselves and their babies.

Related: Postpartum depression left me isolated—here’s how I built a village for moms

Why her honesty matters for moms

Cardi’s story is a reminder that even in the spotlight, motherhood doesn’t come with immunity to mental health struggles. For everyday moms juggling work, relationships, and expectations, her vulnerability feels like permission—to seek help, to rest, to talk about the hard days.

Because strength in motherhood isn’t about pushing through pain in silence. Sometimes, it’s about saying this is hard—and getting the help you deserve.

Source:

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2018. “ACOG Committee Opinion No. 757: Screening for Perinatal Depression.”