Key points
- Scientists study medicine use in pregnancy to understand how specific medicines might affect pregnancy.
- Results provide better information on the safety and risks of using specific medicines before, during, and after pregnancy.
- This information helps you weigh the risks and benefits of medicines and make decisions about treatment options.
Studying medicine use in pregnancy
We know little about the effects of taking most medicines in pregnancy. This is because pregnant people are often not included in studies that determine the safety of new medicines. Listed below are a few ways researchers work to find out about the effects a medicine might have during pregnancy.
Studies from the Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention
CDC funds the Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, a collaborative group of research centers across the nation. They conduct studies to identify factors that may increase the risk for birth defects and stillbirth. These studies also help answer questions about medicines during pregnancy. Notable findings from our work are used to help update guidelines and recommendations for medication use during pregnancy.
Adverse event reports
Drug companies are required to report problems with medicines to the FDA. Healthcare professionals, researchers, and the public, including pregnant people, can report suspected problems directly to the FDA MedWatch Program.
Pregnancy registries
Pregnancy registries track health outcomes among pregnant people who take a particular medicine or receive a particular vaccine. Researchers compare the health of their babies to the health of the babies of people who didn't take the medicine. Pregnancy registries are useful to study the effects of a particular medicine and gather health information during and after pregnancy.
What you can do
You can help improve the evidence on medicines and pregnancy by doing the following:
Report suspected problems. Tell your healthcare provider about any problems you have with your medicine. You can also report suspected problems with medicines directly to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch Program.
Enroll in a pregnancy registry. For a list of current pregnancy registries and how to enroll, visit the FDA Pregnancy Registry website.
Participate in a study. Help researchers find answers about the safety of medicines during pregnancy by signing up or participating in a research study. If you are contacted as part of a CDC study, consider participating and share your experience to help us learn more. To see if you are eligible for a MotherToBaby Pregnancy Study, visit the MotherToBaby website or call (877) 311-8972 (Toll-Free). If you choose to join a study, you won't be asked to change any part of your routine.
How healthcare professionals can help
If you're a healthcare professional, you play an important role. You can help review safety information and make shared decisions with your patients before, during, and after pregnancy.
Before prescribing medicines to a person of reproductive age, ask them if they are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. If they are not planning a pregnancy, discuss effective birth control options.
Discuss current medicines with your patients. This includes people newly pregnant, those planning a pregnancy, and those who could become pregnant during the course of treatment. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as vitamins, supplements, and dietary or herbal products in your discussion.
Work with your patients to ensure that they are taking only what is necessary. Emphasize to patients that borrowing prescription medicines from others could harm them or their developing baby. Also emphasize that they should not stop taking a medicine they need without talking to you or another healthcare professional first.
Access available resources to learn more about the safety or risks of medicines during pregnancy.