Horror for Newbies
Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong - and What You Really Need to Know

Questions About Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong - and What You Really Need to Know

by Emily Oster

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Answered Questions (6)

I am quite concerned than an economist is writing recommendations regarding pregnancy...can someone give me insight into this prior to reading this book/moving along to a better read?
Neelie I think you are right to be worried. I can't speak to all the info in her book, but as a neuroscientist who focuses on studying the impact of prenatal…moreI think you are right to be worried. I can't speak to all the info in her book, but as a neuroscientist who focuses on studying the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on the brain, I can say that her chapter discussing alcohol is dangerously misleading. She discusses only a couple studies on light or moderate drinking during pregnancy and fails to put them in the context of the larger literature. She may be well qualified to perform statistical analyses, but what she lacks is the broader knowledge of the field on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and the clinical expertise and experience to put the studies she is reading into the appropriate context. I have personally interacted with children who have fetal alcohol syndrome despite their mother's reporting that they only had occasional drinking during pregnancy. There are other factors at play that can make an individual more or less susceptible to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders besides alcohol, genetics, stress, and nutrition to name a few. Does she discuss this at all? No. She's not allowing you to make informed decisions on drinking alcohol during pregnancy, she's muddying the waters. If you'd like to see the response to her chapter discussing alcohol use during pregnancy by the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Study Group, a group comprised of medical doctors and research scientists devoted to fully understanding fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, you can do it here: https://www.proofalliance.org/2013/09.... (less)
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Is the 2019 edition substantially different from the previous one? What has changed? Is it worth reading the new one if I enjoyed the original?
Chelsea I only read the 2019 edition, so I can't speak to how substantial differences were overall. But there were many places where she references data from …moreI only read the 2019 edition, so I can't speak to how substantial differences were overall. But there were many places where she references data from after the original book was published, so it seems like there's a fair amount. She also talks about her second pregnancy and choices she made differently when she had her second child throughout the book.(less)
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I'm listening to the audiobook and I was wondering if there is an easy way to get a list of the literature/studies that the author is quoting. Anyone can help?
Linda All of the studies she mentions are in an appendix in the back of the book. I recommend finding the book at the library if you'd like to know more! …moreAll of the studies she mentions are in an appendix in the back of the book. I recommend finding the book at the library if you'd like to know more! (less)
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If it it so well known that the "conventional wisdom about pregnancy" is wrong, why in the af are any women still following it?
Chelsea Medical best practice is a slow process of change. Researchers might show that a certain recommendation isn't actually beneficial, but getting that re…moreMedical best practice is a slow process of change. Researchers might show that a certain recommendation isn't actually beneficial, but getting that research to all the OBGYNs in the US, and helping them believe it over what they were taught in school, can be difficult. Fast changes are easier if the data is really strongly suggesting a big safety difference-- for instance there was a relatively rapid shift in the 90s away from letting babies sleep face-down-- but it is harder when the results are less dire, like studies that show that bedrest isn't harmful, but it's not actually beneficial. (less)
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Do women need another self-proclaimed expert telling them what's up about motherhood and pregnancy?
Chelsea Personally I found this book more useful than any of the others I read so I guess so?
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