The Unexpected

A data driven guide of navigating pregnancy complications and what to expect when expecting again.

From the New York Times bestselling author of THE FAMILY FIRM, comes a practical exploration on how second (and later) pregnancies can feel different to the first time around. On what can feel like uneven terrain, navigating or planning a pregnancy after complications can plunge you into an unfamiliar world of decision-making; conversations with medical providers can be hard and scary, and with a lack of information given to you, it can feel like you aren't given any choices about what happens to you at all.

Second pregnancies can present you with a whole new set of questions and perspectives on your experience, body and wellbeing. And with around 50% of pregnancies experiencing complications, this means as much as half of later pregnancies carry this extra layer of difficulty.

Will the experience of conception and pregnancy (good or bad) be the same this time around? How do you navigate pregnancy and birth with a child already around? Perhaps above all: how can you make the best decisions for yourself? THE UNEXPECTED will answer these questions, and many more.

About the Authors

Emily Oster is a professor of economics at Brown University and the author of Cribsheet and Expecting Better. Listed as one of TIME's most influential people 2022, her work has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Esquire. Oster is married to economist Jesse Shapiro and is also the daughter of two economists. She has two children.

Dr. Nathan Fox is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, a managing partner at Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates and Carnegie Imaging for Women in New York City. He is also the founder and host of Healthful Woman Podcast and the High Risk Birth Stories Podcast, with new episodes of each released weekly.