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In a recent episode of the Healthful Woman podcast, Dr. Nathan Fox, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, sat down with author, professor, and economist Dr. Emily Oster to discuss what she has learned in her research and writing about pregnancy. During the podcast, Dr. Oster and Dr. Fox discussed pregnancy data, advice, and misconceptions.

About Dr. Oster

Dr. Oster’s journey into pregnancy research began with her own pregnancy curiosities. As an economist focused on health-oriented topics, her research turned to examining the medical and public health aspects of pregnancy compared to hers. Dr. Oster’s book, Expecting Better, focuses on giving evidence-based advice. Many traditional pregnancy books provide black-and-white rules without explaining the reasoning behind them. As an economist, Oster sought out the studies and data herself, ultimately compiling her findings into her book, Expecting Better, which presents a rational approach to common pregnancy concerns.

Pregnancy Advice and Misconceptions

One of the key takeaways from the discussion is that many pregnancy recommendations are overly cautious and do not provide evidence-based information. Dr. Fox discusses how women are often told to avoid sushi entirely in the case of serious health complications and increased risk for pregnancy issues, but Oster highlights that the genuine concern is high mercury in certain fish or food poisoning, which applies to all improperly handled food, not just raw fish. Deli meat is also known for being a food to avoid during pregnancy. However, this caution is due to a listeria outbreak over 20 years ago. The doctors discuss that this is not a significant concern, but if patients want to be cautious, they should buy fresh meat from delis and microwave it. When focusing on your pregnancy diet, it is essential to prioritize your and your baby’s health. Dr. Oster states, “There’s this sort of tension between in the effort to be careful you may take some other kinds of risks.”

Pregnancy Data

A significant theme of Oster’s work is that pregnant women should be given the complete picture to make their own choices. She emphasizes that guidelines should be based on actual risk levels rather than blanket prohibitions. Dr. Fox echoes this, pointing out that many recommendations, such as strict bed rest for high-risk pregnancies, persist despite research showing they do not benefit patients and can cause harm. Dr. Fox states, “There’s downsides to that. People get blood clots, they get constipated, they get depressed, they can’t work.” Receiving pregnancy care and ultrasound services from professional healthcare providers is essential for determining what is right for you, your child, and your physical and mental health.

The most controversial topic in Expecting Better is alcohol consumption. Oster explains that while heavy drinking is harmful to babies born, the available data does not support the idea that an occasional small glass of wine poses a significant risk to babies born in the third trimester. She discusses how doctors with alternative beliefs may give advice based on an all-or-nothing approach, relaying their beliefs that “If we tell women that they can have a little bit of alcohol, they’ll have a lot, and it’s better just to tell them not to have any because we know that not having any is safe, and we know that having a lot is risky, and if we give them a little bit of permission, they’ll kind of go…they’ll go too far.” She and Dr. Fox discuss how policies often fall on the side of absolute prohibition rather than informing patients on safe amounts of alcohol to consume and trusting them to follow those guidelines.

Navigating Medical Guidance

Oster notes that her book has helped women feel more confident about discussing their options, asking informed questions, and advocating for themselves in medical settings. Dr. Fox agrees that a well-informed patient can have more productive discussions and better understand medical recommendations.

Learn More

If you are expecting or planning a pregnancy, learn more by reading Expecting Better. Listen to the full episode of Healthful Woman with Dr. Fox and Dr. Emily Oster to learn more about this discussion. For more information on women’s health and pregnancy, visit Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates or contact us today through the online contact form.

Maternal Fetal Medicine blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!