Should You Induce at 39 Weeks?
The ARRIVE trial, a randomized study of 6,106 low‑risk first‑time mothers across 41 U.S. hospitals, examined elective induction at 39 weeks. It found that women who were induced experienced a lower cesarean rate (18.6% vs. 22.2%) and reduced incidences of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, with no difference in major neonatal outcomes. The author, traditionally supportive of low‑intervention births, uses these results to argue that induction is not inherently harmful and may even be beneficial for uncomplicated pregnancies. The piece also explores the evolutionary and cultural context of birth interventions.
To Home Birth or Not to Home Birth?
The author’s third essay in a Substack series weighs the evidence on home, hospital, and birth‑center deliveries, citing peer‑reviewed studies to outline the trade‑offs. Data show that home births have fewer medical interventions but higher rates of neonatal transfer, while...
A Quick Follow-Up — How to Switch to Annual
Elena, author of the Substack newsletter Motherhood Until Yesterday, announced a deadline for subscribers to switch from a monthly to an annual plan. The annual subscription is $50 per year if changed before May 14, after which the price will increase...
Hunter-Gatherer Parents Are Masters of "Benign Neglect"
The article contrasts French parenting—characterized by low‑hovering, high authority and what the author calls "benign neglect"—with American styles that emphasize constant emotional validation. Drawing on observations in Paris and research on hunter‑gatherer societies such as the Hadza and !Kung, the...
How to Bring Your Baby to Work
American mothers face a stark choice between leaving the workforce or separating from their infants, a dilemma amplified by the absence of a federal paid‑maternity leave. About 66% of U.S. mothers are employed, many full‑time, mirroring OECD trends. Evolutionary evidence...
Babies Do Not Need Exclusive Maternal Care
Sarah Hrdy, a Harvard‑trained primatologist, argues in her book *Mothers and Others* that humans evolved as cooperative breeders rather than exclusive maternal caregivers. Drawing on langur monkey observations and recent hunter‑gatherer fieldwork, she shows infants were historically cared for by...