Orion Expecting Better

A groundbreaking guide to pregnancy that equips women with facts and empowers them to make their own decisions. This book combines insights from economics with practical advice for expectant mothers. Award-winning author Emily Oster debunks myths about pregnancy to empower women during this crucial time.

Pregnant women are often treated like children and given long lists of things to avoid—such as alcohol, caffeine, and sushi—without real explanations from their doctors. They encounter frightening and contradictory myths about everything from weight gain to sleep positions and bed rest, conveyed to them by friends and pregnancy books. In "Expecting Better," Oster shows that the information provided to pregnant women is sometimes incorrect and almost always overly simplified.

"Expecting Better" challenges common recommendations regarding alcohol, caffeine, sushi, bed rest, and induction, while also providing context for guidelines on fetal testing, weight gain, risks associated with pregnancies over 35, and nausea, among other topics. Oster offers practical advice that one might not receive in the doctor's office. With the understanding that the health of the baby is paramount, readers can gain knowledge and reduce worries. Knowing the facts is a tremendous relief—just like an occasional glass of wine.