The “Ozempic Baby” Phenomenon, Explained

A few months ago, I started taking Ozempic for weight loss and I’ve already shed 15 pounds. But I’m 43 and I’m done having children, so the news stories about “Ozempic babies” are making me nervous. Are women on Ozempic really getting pregnant while taking the Pill? And if so, what can I do to avoid getting pregnant?

Sincerely,
“One And Done”

Dear One:

Yes, we’re hearing reports of women unintentionally getting pregnant while taking Ozempic or another one of the weight loss drugs in a class of medications known as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) receptor analogs. We think this is happening for one of two reasons.

In the case of women taking one of these weight loss medications while taking birth control but still finding themselves pregnant, these reports are purely anecdotal, so we’re not sure why this is happening. But we do know that GLP-1 receptors slow down the absorption of nutrients in your stomach and intestines, so the theory is that oral contraceptives may not be absorbed as well as they usually are, making them less effective at preventing pregnancies.

In other cases, women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that can interfere with ovulation and make getting pregnant extremely difficult, might stop using birth control because they don’t think they can get pregnant. If these women then go on to take a GLP-1 receptor to lose weight, getting rid of those extra pounds can help regulate their hormones and they start having more regular periods. This increases their fertility.

What’s concerning about this phenomenon is that we don’t have a lot of research on the effects these drugs may have on developing fetuses. The little bit of animal research we do have, mainly on mice and monkeys, is alarming because it shows that there can be fetal abnormalities. For this reason, the manufacturers of these medications recommend that women stop taking the drug two months before they try to get pregnant. And if you do discover that you’re pregnant, you need to stop taking the medication immediately.

My advice if you’re worried about getting pregnant while taking one of these medications is to use a second form of birth control in addition to your oral contraceptive. And of course, you need to be very aware about what's going on and listen to your body. If things change with your cycle or you find you’re more nauseated than normal, definitely take a pregnancy test.

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