Key takeaways:

• Over 90% of pregnant women take at least one prescribed drug.
• Yet most new medications lack clear human data on pregnancy risks.
• Fear of birth defects makes many women stop treatment without advice.
• Cuts to research funding threaten future medication safety knowledge.
• More studies and data sharing could protect both mothers and babies.

Understanding Medication Safety in Pregnancy

More than nine in ten pregnant women take at least one prescription drug. Yet we know surprisingly little about how these medicines affect unborn babies. In fact, of nearly 300 drugs approved between 2010 and 2019, 90 percent contain no human data on pregnancy risks. Clearly, many mothers and doctors face tough choices without enough information.

Why Medication Safety Is Uncertain

Decades ago, a morning sickness drug called thalidomide caused thousands of severe birth defects. In response, regulators in 1977 recommended that women of childbearing age avoid drugs in clinical trials. As a result, pregnant women got left out of key studies.

Meanwhile, animal tests became the main way to check for risks. However, animal results often fail to predict human effects. Therefore when a new drug hits the market, doctors and patients still lack solid data on how it behaves in pregnancy. Moreover, companies rarely run costly pregnancy trials after approval, unless regulators require them.

Today, a national database shows about 80 percent of nearly 1,800 medications have limited or no evidence on birth-defect risks. Researchers estimate it takes 27 years on average to gather enough data to confirm a drug’s safety for pregnant women. In the meantime, expectant mothers and their health teams must weigh unknown risks against real health threats.

Consequences of Stopping Medications

When women fear harm, many stop their treatments. In a recent U.S. study, over one-third of pregnant women paused a medication. Most did so without a doctor’s advice and cited birth-defect worries. Yet halting treatment can harm both mother and baby.

For example, some seizure medicines can cause birth defects. Still, stopping these drugs may trigger seizures—events that can lead to fetal death. Similarly, women with severe depression face a higher risk of relapse if they stop antidepressants. Relapse can lead to substance use, missed prenatal visits, and poor birth outcomes.

High blood pressure during pregnancy also needs careful control. Without treatment, women risk preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that harms organs and can starve the fetus of oxygen. They may also face early placental detachment, preterm birth, and poor fetal growth. Thus, untreated illness often carries more risk than the medicines themselves.

Funding Gaps Threaten Research

Recognizing these gaps, a 2019 task force called for more funding to study medication safety and effectiveness in pregnant women. Yet federal support has remained flat for years. Meanwhile, the overall budget of the National Institutes of Health rose steadily. A 2025 review urged doubling women’s health research funding, but cuts loom instead.

Since early 2025, NIH has cut nearly five billion dollars from new grants. The odds of winning research support have plummeted. At the same time, proposed budget cuts for the CDC and FDA threaten their roles in tracking medication safety during pregnancy.

Without stable funding, researchers cannot build long-term studies or expand existing pregnancy registries. These registries collect data on women exposed to specific drugs, but they often enroll too few people. They also usually compare only one drug versus no treatment, rather than offering a full range of treatment options.

Improving Medication Safety Through Research

Despite challenges, some progress is under way. Federal agencies and researchers have built databases and tools to speed up findings. For instance, a resource called Mother to Baby summarizes current data on many medications and birth-defect risks. It helps expectant mothers and doctors make informed choices.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC renewed support for rapid pregnancy safety studies when new infections emerge. The FDA also funded a study on gadolinium, a substance used in MRI scans. That research involved almost 6,000 women and found no clear risk to their babies.

Still, more work remains. Researchers need larger, more diverse study groups to spot rare birth defects. They also need to compare different treatment approaches—such as one drug versus another or versus no drug. Adding privacy protections could reassure women worried about legal or social risks, especially after recent changes in abortion laws.

Moreover, inviting pregnant women to help design studies may boost participation. When women see that research respects their needs and values, they may share information more freely. Collaboration between regulators, drug makers, doctors, and patient groups could speed up data collection and analysis.

A Brighter Future for Medication Safety

Ensuring medication safety in pregnancy demands teamwork and commitment. More funding would let scientists study both new drugs and those on the market for decades. It would also support systems that track how medicines affect real-world patients.

Expectant mothers deserve clear answers on whether to continue vital treatments. Doctors need solid evidence to guide them. Ultimately, stronger research safeguards both women and their babies. By investing in medication safety now, we can build a healthier future for families everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does medication safety in pregnancy mean?

Medication safety in pregnancy means knowing whether a drug will harm a developing baby and figuring out the best way to treat a mother’s health needs without causing birth defects or other problems.

How can pregnant women find reliable drug information?

Pregnant women can consult expert resources created by specialists who review current research. Checking with trusted sources helps them and their doctors weigh the benefits and possible risks of a medicine.

Why do some women stop their medications when they learn they are pregnant?

Many women fear birth defects if they take certain drugs. Without clear data, they may decide to stop treatment. However, stopping can sometimes cause worse health problems for mother and baby.

What can improve future medication safety?

Boosting research funding, expanding pregnancy registries, and creating larger, more diverse studies can fill knowledge gaps. Involving pregnant women in study design and adding privacy protections can also increase participation and data quality.