
Episode #12
Expecting Better: Debunking Common Parenting Myths with Emily Oster
In this episode of Other People’s Parenting , mother-daughter duo Karen Quinn and Schuyler Hurwitz review Emily Oster’s Expecting Better – Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong – and What You Really Need to Know . Oster is an Economics Professor who uses her training to separate good research studies from less good ones. After she became pregnant, she began researching the advice doctors had been giving her based on these studies. What she discovered was that pregnancy suffers from a lot of misinformation! Some studies are better than others and you can’t make decisions about your own pregnancy without understanding this. Luckily for pregnant women everywhere, Oster set about reading the studies doctor’s based their recommendations on and letting women know which advice they could trust, and which to ignore. In this book, Oster explores many common pregnancy questions and gives us her best advice based on the research. Quinn and Hurwitz discuss these and many other questions explored in the book, including: · Should you lose weight before trying to get pregnant for a healthier pregnancy? · Which is more accurate for predicting ovulation: charting your temperature or home ovulation kits? · Is it okay to drink coffee when you’re pregnant? Can a pregnant woman drink alcohol without harming her fetus? · When is the risk of miscarriage highest? · What foods should you avoid when you’re pregnant? · Is there a difference in miscarriage rate if you’re nauseated during the first trimester? · Should you do prenatal screenings that have a risk of miscarriage? Are they worth taking the risk? · Can you dye your hair when you’re pregnant? Can a pregnant woman take Accutane? Are hot tubs and saunas safe during pregnancy? · Is it safe for a woman to exercise during pregnancy? · How can I find out if I can take a particular drug during pregnancy? · How early can a premature baby be born and survive? · Does bed rest prevent premature birth? · How is labor induced? The book covers these and many more common questions women have about their pregnancies. The great thing about this book is that the author is an expert on analyzing research studies and she has done the hard work and analysis for readers, so you feel comfortable taking her advice. Quinn and Hurwitz encourage empowering parents-to-be with scientifically backed recommendations, urging listeners to consider Oster’s insights as they navigate their own parenting journeys. Companies mentioned in this episode: Habit Coach Testing Mom Emily Oster Expecting Better Crib Sheet University of Chicago






