By: Hannah

Ok, so as a scientist actually researching the developmental origins of disease, I find some problems with this. There is a huge problem with science and the media – and the problems stem from both sides. There are scientists who are crap at speaking to the media without using lots of jargon, and the media wants to sell a story, so science is so often hyped up. This isn’t a problem with the actual research people are doing, it’s with how it’s communicated.

I do think that some of the recommendations pregnant women are given are probably not based on research, rather from popular articles written by people who don’t understand the science.

I personally think that the mother should be looking after herself. Keep yourself healthy and your baby will be too. Certain well known things like alcohol and smoking should really be avoided – though care should be taken if you’re heavily addicted as the stress of withdrawal can be just as bad.

tl;dr science is often badly reported in media, look after your health, for yourself first, baby second.