Debunking the Bump: What the Data Really Says About Pregnancy's 165 Biggest Risks and Myths

by Daphne Adler

Overview

Stay away from sushi! Cut out caffeine! Get rid of your cat! Step away from the microwave!

Pregnant women are bombarded with "risk factors" they must avoid from the moment the stick turns pink. Heroic mothers-to-be sacrifice their favorite foods and activities for the sake of their baby, but with such long lists of "don'ts" and conflicting information, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Daphne Adler, a mathematician, management consultant, and self-proclaimed "numbers junkie" turns her expertise to pregnancy and the real research behind the risks. With thousands of cited sources, Adler wades through the research to reveal which factors are truly threats to a healthy pregnancy and which are simply red herrings or old wives' tales. From cheese to sex to saunas, Debunking the Bump sheds light on everything expectant mothers need to know to avoid the real risks without skipping the sushi.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781945547805
Publisher:	Familius
Publication date:	04/01/2018
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Daphne Adler holds an undergraduate degree in theoretical mathematics from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She spent her professional career working in management consulting. She grew up in Norwich, Vermont, and now lives in London with her husband and three young children.

Table of Contents

Introduction: What Are We Worried About?                                                  

Chapter 1 - Little Beasties: Pathogens                                                  

• Feral Pigs in the Spinach: E. Coli                                                         
• Twisted Bacteria: Campylobacter                                                  
• In Defense of Cat Litter: Toxoplasma Gondii                                   
• The Stinky Cheese Debate: Listeria                                                  
• Sinful, Slimy Seafood: Sushi                                                                   
• Lemon, Tabasco, and a Dash of Sewage: Oysters                                 
• Heat Your Meat!: Conclusions                                                            
• The Most Dangerous Beasties of All:Cytomegalovirus and Parvovirus B19 

Chapter 2 - Bombarded: Environmental Toxins                                           

• Fishy Advice: Mercury                                                                       
• Heavy Metal: Lead                                                                        
• Poisonous Produce: Pesticides                                                       
• Skin Deep: Personal Care Products                                                     
• Secret Scents: Perfume                                                                       
• The Swan Study: Phthalates                                                          
• An Ode to Elbow Grease: Cleaning Products                                    
• The Painting Instinct: Organic Solvents                                                  
• Healthy Hot Dogs: Nitrates and Nitrites                                              
• A Breath of Fresh Air: Air Pollution                                                       
• The Microwave Strikes Back: Non-Ionizing Radiation                            
• Galactic Beams: Ionizing Radiation                                                         
• Prof Plum in the Library with the Rice Cereal: Arsenic                              
• Detox: Conclusions                                                                             

Chapter 3 - Guilty Pleasures: Voluntary Poison

• Stub It Out: Tobacco                                                  
• The Religion of Drink: Alcohol                                  
• A Need for Weed: Marijuana                                                               
• The Crack Babies That Weren’t: Conclusions                                          

 
Chapter 4 - A Day in the Life: Lifestyle                                                   

• Sinister Slumber: Sleeping on the Left                                                 
• Wired: Caffeine                                                                               
• Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Stress                                                            
• Bringing Home the Bacon: Work                                                       
• Our Dangerous Machines: Driving                                                      
• The Incredible Shrinking Seat: Air Travel                                        
• PB&J: Food Allergies                                                                           
• Beached Whale: Weight Gain                                                              
• Get Moving: Exercise and Recreation                                                
• It’s Getting Hot in Here: Hot Tubs and Saunas                                    
• A Night on the Town: Loud Noise                                                
• Humping the Bump: Sex                                                                     
• Strive Not to Drive: Conclusions                                                         

 
Chapter 5 - Legend of the Super Baby: Good Influences                         

• The Mozart Effect: Music                                                                  
• Eat Your Peas, Please: Taste Preferences                                           
• Horse Pills for Breakfast: Vitamins                                                         
• Salty Seaweed: Iodine                                                                          
• IronWoman:Iron                                                                                 
• Sheep Grease and Sunshine: Vitamin D                                             
• The Unmemorable Vitamin: Vitamin B6                                                  
• Lemons, Limes and Clementines: Vitamin C                                          
• Vampire Baby: Calcium                                                                        
• A Head Start: Conclusions                                                                  

 
Chapter 6 - Out of Control: Unavoidable Risks                                          

• Fluorescent Milk: Dioxins                                                                
• The American Epidemic: Obesity                                                          
• Fountain of Youth: Maternal Age                                                        
• The Symptomless Disease: Hypothyroidism                                          
• Mere Mortals: Accidental Death                                                        

 
Chapter 7 - Conclusions                                              
Epilogue - In Defense of Flip-flopping                                                     

Appendix I - Methodology for Calculating Threats/Benefits                    
Appendix II - Cataloging Influences Exhaustively                                      
Appendix III - Overall Pregnancy Calculations                                         
Appendix IV - Foodborne Illnesses                                                          
Appendix V - Pesticides                                                                       
Appendix VI - Threats or Benefits Unsubstantiated                                   
 

Editorial Reviews

"In this important book, Adler, a mathematician, management consultant, and self-proclaimed 'numbers junkie,' equips mothers with researched data behind recommendations for what to do (and not do) during pregnancy . . . She writes in a tone that is both authoritative and assuring—that of a mother rooting for all other mothers."
—Publishers Weekly

"Adler makes it clear that for so many of these topics, more research is needed, but the studies that have been cited are meticulously documented at the end of each chapter. This fun, informative book will help pregnant readers keep things in perspective"
—Tulsa Book Review
 

From the Publisher

"Adler makes it clear that for so many of these topics, more research is needed, but the studies that have been cited are meticulously documented at the end of each chapter. This fun, informative book will help pregnant readers keep things in perspective" -Tulsa Book Review

Tulsa Book Review

In this important book, Adler, a mathematician, management consultant, and self-proclaimed “numbers junkie,” equips mothers with researched data behind recommendations for what to do (and not do) during pregnancy… She writes in a tone that is both authoritative and assuring—that of a mother rooting for all other mothers.

—Publishers Weekly

Endorsements