What Data Can Do for Parents with Emily Oster

Nov 13, 2024

In this engaging conversation, Emily Oster, an economist and parenting expert, shares her journey from economics to parenting. She highlights the gaps in research during pregnancy and parenting and discusses navigating social media’s influence. Emily emphasizes the importance of evidence-based decisions, debunking common myths. She also addresses the impact of policies like paid family leave and examines child development needs versus material distractions. Her insights encourage proactive healthcare conversations around pregnancy, especially regarding loss and fertility.

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ANECDOTE

Prenatal Testing Frustration

Emily Oster's frustration with prenatal testing advice, especially the over-35 guidelines, prompted her to write "Expecting Better".
She questioned the arbitrary age cutoff and lack of data-driven guidance, advocating for personalized decisions.

INSIGHT

Caution vs. Evidence

Emily Oster highlights the overemphasis on caution in pregnancy and parenting, even when lacking evidence.
She emphasizes considering trade-offs and benefits, rather than blindly following blanket guidelines.

ANECDOTE

Initial Pushback and Growing Acceptance

Emily Oster initially faced pushback from obstetricians for her data-driven approach in "Expecting Better".
However, its acceptance grew as doctors realized many patients shared her desire for evidence-based information.

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The Unexpected

Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications

Nathan Fox, MD

Emily Oster

This book, part of The ParentData Series, addresses the often-unspoken complications that can arise during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, miscarriage, hyperemesis gravidarum, preterm birth, and postpartum depression. Emily Oster and Dr. Nathan Fox provide readers with data on the recurrence and treatments for these conditions, as well as road maps for productive conversations with healthcare providers. The book aims to bridge the knowledge gap and make difficult conversations about pregnancy complications more manageable, ensuring that readers feel less alone and more empowered to make informed decisions[1][3][5].

The Family Firm

Emily Oster

In 'The Family Firm', Emily Oster uses her background as an economist and business school professor to provide a framework for parents to make informed decisions about their children's education, health, extracurricular activities, and independence. The book introduces the 'Family Firm Toolbox', which includes the 'Four F's': Framing the Question, Fact-Finding, Final Decision, and Follow-Up. Oster emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to family decision-making, drawing parallels between managing a business and managing a family. The book covers various topics such as choosing the right school, encouraging a healthy diet, and navigating day-to-day family logistics, all with a focus on reducing stress and making better decisions[2][3][5].

Expecting better

Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—and What You Really Need to Know

Emily Oster

In *Expecting Better*, Emily Oster, an award-winning economist, evaluates the data behind conventional pregnancy rules and discovers that many are misguided or flat-out wrong. The book explains everything from the real effects of caffeine and alcohol to the surprising dangers of gardening, aiming to empower pregnant women to make their own informed decisions and enjoy a healthy and relaxed pregnancy. It is organized into sections covering conception, each trimester, and labor and delivery, making it accessible and practical for pregnant women.