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

by Daphne Adler

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Science

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2018

About the author

Daphne Adler holds an undergraduate degree in theoretical mathematics from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School, and has 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.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the same basic idea as Expecting Better, but Expecting Better is better written. I did find this book useful as sort of a second opinion, though - there were a few things where the authors reached different conclusions, which was slightly frustrating but encouraged me to do more research myself about those things.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-organized and easy to reference format. I found a lot of the information helpful. I’m not currently pregnant and I appreciate reading this prior to conception so I can incorporate some of the dietary advice and blood tests the author mentions. This is my first pregnancy read so I don’t have anything to compare it to, however it is what I expected based on the title and book jacket. I see a lot of reviews that it doesn’t read as well as other pregnancy books, however this is a mathematician’s risk analysis in book format for several topics… what do you expect?! I thought she did a great job keeping the book conversational and not putting us to sleep with her tireless research and facts. I would recommend this book! There’s some great fact-based recommendations on what to really “worry” about while you’re pregnant, and she provides the numbers to give yourself peace of mind in other arenas that we don’t need to lose sleep over. I have the pages on fish and pesticides bookmarked with the helpful graphs, and took lots of notes on other topics. I appreciate Adler taking the time to publish her research for all future moms.

[Anastasia Petrenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debunking the Bump surpasses Expecting Better in every way. While both books review pregnancy research, this one stands out for its objective approach, rigorous methodology, and meticulous documentation (over 1,000 references).

Daphne Adler's clear explanation of her methods and thorough citations make this book a reliable resource. Although I don't entirely agree with her risk-benefit analysis and some citations, I appreciate the explanation.

This book provides valuable insights that other pregnancy books lack—some reassuring, others worrisome—but hey, better the harsher truth than the sweetest lie.

It's unfortunate that this book went unnoticed while Expecting Better, with its lesser academic rigor, has gained widespread popularity.

Debunking the Bump is a solid 4.5/5, a data-driven resource that delivers on its promise.

[Debbie Vignovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the whole thing but I can imagine many pregnant women and new moms using this book as a go-to must-have reference book. It helped me to more completely understand various myths and beliefs that surround childbirth. I like to give up to accurate advice to women I teach and this book is at my side.
For the record my edition has a yellow cover but I can't find that edition on Goodreads.

[Pooja Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it was along the lines of Emily Oster's Expecting Better which I absolutely loved. Unfortunately this book was a poor comparator. Overall it was okay but nothing to write home about.

[Katie Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is MythBusters: Pregnancy Edition! The fears and concerns about diets, environment, influences, bacteria, etc are not totally unfounded but the author shows just how problematic, unproblematic, or even inconclusive certain habits can be.