What’s more, the scientist said, the idea sends a pernicious message to women that pregnancy is inherently dangerous. “It perpetuates a narrative of bodily incompetence,” Dr. Warrener said. In graduate school, Dr. Warrener did not see any reason to doubt the obstetrical dilemma. But in 2015, after studying volunteers walking on treadmills, Dr. Warrener found that having a wider pelvis did not create a bigger demand for oxygen. Holly Dunsworth, a biological anthropologist now at the University of Rhode Island, also became disenchanted with the obstetrical dilemma when she took a close look at the evidence.

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Persons: Anna Warrener, ”, Warrener, Holly Dunsworth, “ Organizations: University of Colorado, University of Rhode Locations: University of Colorado Denver, University of Rhode Island