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May 11, 2025 
Amanda Hess, a critic at The New York Times and author of 'Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age,' delves into the complexities of pregnancy in the digital era. She shares her personal experiences with anxiety, isolation, and the overwhelming amount of contradictory online advice. The conversation highlights how technology influences personal health milestones, including the emotional nuances of using apps designed primarily by men. Hess also addresses the impact of eugenics on prenatal testing and advocates for a more inclusive approach to maternal healthcare.
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Pregnancy Sonogram Anxiety
- Amanda Hess experienced intense fear during a sonogram without support due to COVID protocols.
- She desperately wanted to use her phone to Google and reassure herself about the unusual ultrasound image.
Apps Shape Pregnancy Experience
- Pregnancy apps create a sense of constant monitoring and authority over the pregnant body.
- Despite limited data, these apps feel intimately knowledgeable, impacting users' perception of their pregnancy.
Pregnancy Ads Lack Empathy
- Ad targeting quickly detects pregnancy but lacks emotional context, which can feel invasive.
- Technology's impersonal knowledge exposes the limits and harms of data-driven pregnancy marketing.
