The Science, Simplified

Women who ate 6 dates daily for 4 weeks before their due date arrived at the hospital more dilated (3.5cm vs 2cm), were more likely to go into labor naturally (96% vs 79%), and had shorter early labor (8.5 hours vs 15 hours). The study suggests dates may help your body prepare for labor.

Massaging the perineum (the area between vagina and rectum) from 34 weeks significantly reduced severe tears during birth by 44%. It also reduced the need for episiotomy (surgical cut) and decreased pain at 3 months postpartum. Minor tears weren't affected.

Using a birthing ball during labor reduced cesarean section rates by 45%, decreased pain scores by about 20%, and shortened the first stage of labor by over 2 hours. It's a safe, drug-free way to manage labor.

In this study, 80% of newborns fell asleep within 5 minutes when exposed to white noise, compared to only 25% who fell asleep on their own. White noise mimics the whooshing sounds babies hear in the womb.

Iron supplementation reduces maternal anemia by 70%. Folic acid taken before conception and in early pregnancy reduces neural tube defects (like spina bifida) by up to 70%. Vitamin D (2000-4000 IU/day) is linked to lower risks of preeclampsia and preterm birth.

Always place babies on their back to sleep—this alone has reduced SIDS by 74% since 1990. Use a firm, flat surface with no loose bedding, pillows, or toys. Sleep sacks are safer than blankets. Room-sharing (but not bed-sharing) is recommended for the first 6 months.

Consumer baby monitors that claim to track vital signs are NOT recommended for SIDS prevention. Studies show they don't accurately measure oxygen levels or heart rate, and can give false reassurance or false alarms. Safe sleep practices are what actually prevent SIDS.

This study found that 200mg+/day of caffeine doubled miscarriage risk compared to none. However, nausea in healthy pregnancies makes women avoid coffee, confounding results. A 2015 Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to confirm or refute effects. ACOG concludes moderate caffeine (<200mg/day) is likely safe, though some women prefer to avoid it entirely.

Epidurals provide excellent pain relief—better than any other method. They slightly increase the chance of needing forceps or vacuum assistance but do NOT increase cesarean rates. They may slow the second stage of labor by about 15 minutes. There's no evidence of long-term effects on babies.

Exercise during pregnancy is safe and beneficial for most women. It reduces risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery. It also helps with mood and sleep. Unless you have specific complications, aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. Your heart rate can go above 140—that old rule has been debunked.

This randomized trial compared graduated extinction ('cry it out' with checks), bedtime fading, and a control group. Both sleep training methods reduced infant wake time and cortisol (stress hormone) levels. No differences in infant-parent attachment or behavioral problems at 12-month follow-up. A 2012 Australian trial (326 families) found no negative effects at age 6.

The PROBIT trial (Belarus, randomized) found breastfeeding reduced gastrointestinal infections and eczema in the first year, but 6.5-year follow-up showed no IQ difference. The Colen sibling study compared siblings where one was breastfed and one wasn't—within the same family, most claimed benefits (obesity, asthma, hyperactivity, IQ) disappeared, suggesting confounding by family factors.

Despite being commonly prescribed, there's no evidence that bed rest helps prevent or treat any pregnancy complication—not preterm labor, not preeclampsia, not placenta previa. It can actually cause harm: muscle atrophy, blood clots, bone loss, and psychological effects like depression. Yet many women are still put on bed rest.

This 2019 meta-analysis found the procedure-related miscarriage risk is much lower than the commonly cited 1-in-200. For amniocentesis, the added risk is approximately 0.30% (1 in 333). For CVS, it's about 0.20% (1 in 500). When compared to control groups with the same risk profile, the added risk appears negligible.

The ARRIVE trial overturned the belief that induction increases cesarean risk. First-time mothers randomly assigned to induction at 39 weeks actually had LOWER C-section rates (19% vs 22%) compared to waiting for spontaneous labor. There was no difference in newborn outcomes. This led ACOG to say it's reasonable to offer elective induction at 39 weeks.

Pregnant women are 10x more likely to get Listeriosis (CDC data). Listeria is found in unpasteurized cheese, deli meat, and smoked fish. Toxoplasmosis comes from undercooked meat and cat litter. FDA requires sushi-grade fish be frozen to kill parasites, making restaurant sushi generally safe. The CDC's top recommendations: avoid unpasteurized dairy, heat deli meats, wash produce thoroughly.

This JAMA meta-analysis found that weight gain below IOM guidelines increases risk of preterm birth and small babies, while gain above guidelines increases cesarean risk and large babies. However, the absolute risk differences are modest. Pre-pregnancy BMI has a larger effect than pregnancy weight gain. The IOM guidelines (25-35 lbs for normal weight) are reasonable targets, not strict cutoffs.

About 10-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, mostly in the first trimester. Approximately 50-70% of first-trimester miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities that occur randomly at conception—nothing the mother did or didn't do. Exercise, sex, stress, and moderate caffeine don't cause miscarriage. Seeing a heartbeat at 8 weeks drops risk to about 3%.