Author criticises pregnancy health guidelines

In her new book, Expecting Better, economist Emily Oster has criticised common pregnancy advice after analysing health studies and journals.

 

She claims that woman can drink plenty of coffee, dye their hair and even have a glass of wine a day.

 

Oster began investigating the standard rules given to expecting mothers when she became pregnant herself three years ago. She claims that the research she studied and their results were flawed.

 

The author also claims that while both a lack of exercise and eating sushi is fine, gardening poses a risk as it could expose pregnant women to the toxoplasmosis parasite.

 

Official health guidelines advise pregnant women to avoid alcohol and reduce their caffeine intake.

 

What do you think? Is better to be cautious? Has Oster’s research made you reconsider the rules?