Viral video inaccurately depicting fetal development garners mixed reactions

Conversation also focused on the “fertility cliff” and new gonorrhea treatments.

Earlier this month, an anti-abortion group shared a video inaccurately depicting fetal development, sparking widespread debate about sex education in schools. Plus, an article about the “fertility cliff”—the time when fertility dramatically declines—fueled discussion about how aging and lifestyle factors impact fertility. Additionally, the approval of new gonorrhea treatments was met with stigma toward people with sexually transmitted infections.

Given these conversations, communicators may offer science-backed sex education resources, share tips for improving fertility, and circulate STI testing and treatment resources.

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What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health:

On December 2, an anti-abortion group known for its “Baby Olivia” video, which inaccurately depicts fetal development, released a new video called “Baby Oliver,” which also contains false claims. The initial Facebook post sharing the video—which was shared widely across platforms—received hundreds of thousands of views and reactions and thousands of comments. Most commenters celebrated the video, and several said that it should be shown in schools to prevent abortions, noting that it “humanizes” the fetus. A few commenters called out the video’s false claim that a fetal heartbeat can be detected 22 days after fertilization, when the fetal heartbeat can’t be detected until 5-and-a-half to 6 weeks of pregnancy. Some commenters on other posts sharing the video noted that Planned Parenthood had called the previous “Baby Olivia” video “inaccurate, misleading, and manipulative” and worried that the “Baby Oliver” video had a similar agenda. Posts also discussed how some states have passed laws requiring schools to show the “Baby Olivia” video and how Ohio lawmakers advanced a “Baby Olivia” bill last month. Many commenters expressed concern about those laws and worried that students are receiving inaccurate and inadequate sex education.

 On December 2, the New York Times published an article suggesting that the “fertility cliff” doesn’t begin at 35, as many believe. The article explains that an increasing number of people 35 and older are getting pregnant, likely because more people are waiting to have children and because assistive reproductive technology is improving. The newspaper shared the headline on Instagram, where the post received approximately 3 million views, 23,000 likes, and 840 comments as of December 17. Many commenters said that the “fertility cliff” narrative is outdated and shared personal stories about having healthy pregnancies in their 30s and 40s. Others asked how to improve fertility later in life and debated whether lifestyle factors like eating a nutrient-dense diet impact fertility.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved two drugs to treat gonorrhea, including a new antibiotic and expanded use of another antibiotic. Experts quoted in articles about the medications expressed hope that they will quell cases of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea, which are increasingly common. Many social media users expressed stigmatizing attitudes toward people who contract STIs, with some arguing that increasing access to treatment enables promiscuous behavior. Others celebrated the treatments’ approval, citing fears of rising antibiotic resistance.

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Recommendations for public health professionals

The Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health. 

In response to concerns about inadequate sex education in schools, communicators may share comprehensive sex and relationship educational resources for youth and their caregivers. Sharing tips for caregivers to talk to youth about sexual health and relationships is also recommended. Communicators may also want to direct people to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’s fetal development timeline.

Conversations about fertility provide an opportunity to highlight factors that may improve the chances of getting pregnant, including avoiding STIs, eating a nutrient-dense diet, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, limiting alcohol and caffeine, avoiding smoking, focusing on gentle exercise, and limiting exposure to pesticides, dry-cleaning solvents, and lead. Messaging may also explain that sperm quality may be improved by wearing loose-fitting underwear, reducing sitting, and avoiding saunas, hot tubs, and devices that may expose the scrotum to heat. Encouraging people who are trying to get pregnant to talk to their health care providers about any medications they take is recommended, as some medications may impact fertility. Communicators may also want to share information about in vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technology.

In response to discussions about gonorrhea and other STIs, messaging may explain that gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that can cause long-term health problems if left untreated. Communicators may highlight that gonorrhea is common, with close to 1 million infections each year in the U.S., and that many people don’t know they have it because it doesn’t always cause symptoms. Communicators may stress the importance of regular STI testing and reiterate that anyone can contract an STI, even if they haven’t had many sexual partners. Sharing information about STI prevention, directing people to local clinics that offer STI testing and treatment, and sharing information about at-home STI testing is recommended.