Home / Health / New Moms Using Weight Drugs: Risks to Know
New Moms Using Weight Drugs: Risks to Know
24 Oct
Summary
- New guidelines advise pregnant women and new moms on GLP-1 drug use.
- Experts recommend stopping GLP-1s 1-2 months before pregnancy.
- New mothers' GLP-1 prescriptions rose 24-fold from 2018-2025.
New guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offer crucial advice for pregnant women and new mothers regarding GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes drugs. These guidelines address a recent surge in the U.S., where prescriptions for new mothers increased 24-fold between 2018 and 2025.
Doctors are advised to recommend that women discontinue GLP-1 medications one to two months prior to conception. While the full impact of these drugs on pregnancy and fetuses remains unknown due to limited data, preliminary research suggests no substantial increase in adverse outcomes during the first trimester. The guidelines also suggest that continued use after a baby's first month while breastfeeding might be permissible, though data on effects on breast milk is scarce.
The guidelines emphasize caution and encourage open discussions between healthcare providers and patients. As research evolves, particularly concerning postpartum use and effects on nutrient absorption in breast milk, these recommendations will be updated.
