Truth Or Scare

Barely a week goes by without a worrying pregnancy health story hitting the headlines. But what’s the truth? M&B sorts fact from fiction

There’s nothing like being pregnant to send your worry genes into overdrive. Can you eat this cheese? Is your tea too strong? Should you be using your mobile phone? Yes, pregnancy can be a really anxious time— especially when newspapers carry stories of the latest piece of supposedly ‘helpful’ research, which, more often than not, is frightening rather than reassuring. Of course, there are things we know it’s wise to steer clear of. But often the ‘new research trumpeted in the press is no more than a tiny study or some pretty woolly survey, which makes it hard to get a sense of perspective. So how should you react to the next big scare? “If you hear something from an informed source that promises to improve the health of your baby, then my advice is to follow it—but don’t drive yourself mad,” says consultant Tim Draycott, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. “Your doctor and your midwife are there to help you, so if you are at all concerned, talk to them,” he adds. Here, our experts advise on recent pregnancy health scares…

‘Electrical appliances increase the risk of miscarriage’ A scientist in the US carried out a study of just under 1000 pregnant women. He found that out of the 159 who miscarried their baby, all but 20 were repeatedly exposed on a daily basis to microwaves, hairdryers and other domestic electrical appliances.