If You're Curious About These Questions...
You should listen to this audiobook
- Have you ever wondered if the strict rules about what you can eat and drink during pregnancy are actually backed by science?
- Did you know that many of the standard medical recommendations for expectant mothers are based on outdated studies rather than hard data?
- What if you could replace the anxiety of endless 'what-ifs' with clear, evidence-based facts that empower you to make your own choices?
Listen to Expecting Better — Free Audiobook
Key Takeaways from Expecting Better
- Understand why pregnancy isn't a one-size-fits-all experience and how to replace fear-driven rules with evidence-based decisions that fit your personal values.
- Learn how to navigate the overwhelming storm of pregnancy advice by weighing actual risks and benefits rather than striving for unattainable perfection.
- Discover why the label 'advanced maternal age' is often misunderstood and how to approach your unique fertility journey with patience instead of strict timelines.
- Master practical, low-stress methods for monitoring ovulation—such as tracking body temperature and noticing cervical mucus—to confidently estimate your fertile windows.
- Find out how to handle the anxiety of the 'two-week wait' and the early first trimester by prioritizing self-compassion over harsh restrictions and fear.
Learning Tools
Reinforce what you learned from Expecting Better
Mind Map
Quiz — Test Your Understanding
Expecting Better — Full Chapter Overview
Chapter 1: Recommendation
Chapter 2: Using the basic tools of economic decision theory, you can make informed choices about your pregnancy.
Chapter 3: Reviewing the research can pave the way for a smooth pregnancy.
Chapter 4: The first trimester of pregnancy involves major decisions – and understandable fears.
Chapter 5: A solid decision-making framework is crucial for choices about prenatal testing.
Chapter 6: The second trimester offers new choices, including whether to discover your baby’s sex.
Chapter 7: In the third trimester, you face major issues and key decisions about birth.
Chapter 8: Understand the precise stages of labor before you enter the delivery room.
Chapter 9: When it comes to labor preferences and birth choices, there’s no one-size-fits-all.
Expecting Better Summary & Overview
Expecting Better (2013) gives moms-to-be peace of mind by cutting through the haze of pregnancy myths and laying bare the real facts. Author Emily Oster, a leading economist, challenges and reevaluates conventional wisdom so that you can make your own decisions for a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Who Should Listen to Expecting Better?
- Expectant mothers or people planning a pregnancy
- Anyone looking for concrete facts about pregnancy and childbirth
- People overwhelmed by all the pregnancy decisions they need to make
Books Similar to Expecting Better
Readers who enjoyed this also liked these titles.
A calm, evidence-friendly guide for new parents who feel overwhelmed by advice—offering gentle reassurance, practical choices, and permission to do what fits their baby, their body, and their family, without shame or perfectionism.
Navigating a Healthy Pregnancy & Birth for Mother and Baby
Pregnancy can feel like a mix of wonder and worry, and this gentle guide walks through the months—from the first suspicions to the postpartum weeks—so the experience feels more understandable, less lonely, and a little more steady.
How the Science of Egg Quality Can Help You Get Pregnant Naturally, Prevent Miscarriage, and Improve Your Odds in IVF