Unexpected Pregnancies: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and the Risk of Birth Defects

Steele, Alabama, Alabama United States of America
Animal studies suggest that high doses of GLP-1 receptor agonists can lead to smaller offspring and birth defects.
GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Zepbound, have been linked to unexpected pregnancies.
If an unexpected pregnancy occurs while taking these drugs for weight loss, it is crucial to speak with a healthcare provider immediately.
It is recommended for women planning a family to stop these medications two months before attempting to conceive.
These medications can interfere with birth control pills' efficacy by slowing down their absorption.
Unexpected Pregnancies: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and the Risk of Birth Defects

In recent news, there have been reports of unexpected pregnancies among women taking weight loss medication, specifically those using Ozempic and similar drugs like Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Zepbound. These medications are prescribed for diabetes or weight loss and belong to a group called GLP-1 receptor agonists.

GLP-1 drugs help patients produce insulin, lower blood sugar levels, and slow down food in the gut leading to weight loss. Losing weight can affect ovulation and improve conception rates. However, experts warn that these drugs might interfere with birth control pills' efficacy by slowing down their absorption.

While some studies have not raised major concerns regarding the safety of these drugs during pregnancy, animal studies have shown concerning results. High doses of GLP-1 receptor agonists in rats and mice can lead to smaller offspring and birth defects. Ozempic has been linked to structural fetal problems and growth issues in pregnant rats, with some babies dying before birth.

If you are planning a family, it is recommended that you stop these medications two months before attempting to conceive. If using birth control pills, consider adding a backup method for extra precaution. In the event of an unexpected pregnancy while taking these drugs for weight loss, it is crucial to speak with your healthcare provider immediately.

Catera Bentley from Steele, Alabama, was one such woman who experienced an unexpected pregnancy after taking Mounjaro for a few months. She had hoped that losing weight might help her get pregnant and had heard of others having success with it. Bentley's menstrual cycles became normal while taking the drug, and she felt happier as she lost about 40 pounds.

However, when Bentley discovered she was pregnant, she was shocked. Her doctor advised her to stop taking Mounjaro immediately due to potential risks for the baby. Bentley's husband supported her throughout the pregnancy and helped care for their newborn daughter.

While more research is needed on the safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists during pregnancy, it is essential to be aware of this issue and take necessary precautions if planning a family or using these medications for weight loss.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Are the reported cases of unexpected pregnancies statistically significant?
  • Is there a link between GLP-1 receptor agonists and specific types of birth defects?
  • What is the exact dosage that leads to birth defects in humans?

Sources

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

'Ozempic babies': What the science says on whether GLP-1s lead to surprise pregnancies

ABC Philadelphia News Station Wednesday, 08 May 2024 13:46
  • Unique Points
    • Catera Bentley was pregnant after taking Mounjaro for weight loss for five months.
    • Bentley's menstrual cycles became normal while taking the drug.
    • Bentley lost about 40 pounds while taking Mounjaro.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

‘Ozempic babies’: Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Mira Cheng, Wednesday, 08 May 2024 10:30
  • Unique Points
    • Bentley had hoped that losing weight might help her get pregnant and had heard of others having success with it.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

85%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Ozempic Face — and Now Ozempic Breast and Butt? What's Really Going on with These Side Effects?

People Magazine Thursday, 09 May 2024 11:08
  • Unique Points
    • Ozempic is a diabetes drug that has become popular for weight loss.
    • Rapid weight loss from Ozempic use can result in sagging facial features, including hollowed-out cheeks and increased wrinkles.
    • Weight loss from Ozempic can also cause breasts to shrink and sag.
    • Some women who have struggled with infertility have become pregnant while taking Ozempic due to resumed ovulation caused by weight loss.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article makes editorializing statements and uses sensational language to grab the reader's attention. The title itself is sensational and misleading, implying that there is something specifically wrong with Ozempic causing side effects like 'Ozempic face,' 'Ozempic breasts,' and 'Ozempic butt.' However, the expert interviewed in the article explains that these side effects are actually a result of rapid weight loss, not the medication itself. The author also quotes an Ozempic user who had plastic surgery due to her appearance on Ozempic. This quote is used to support the sensational title and body of the article, but it does not provide any evidence that Ozempic is causing these side effects specifically. Additionally, there are no disclosed sources in the article.
    • Ozempic face – Thinner cheeks and a slimmed-down appearance will immediately spark cries of ‘Ozempic face’ on social media.
    • Some people look a little bit more aged.
    • Stock image of Ozempic. Photo: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty
    • Stock image of Ozempic. Photo: Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty
    • Ozempic face – the faces are saggy, they lose their fat content in their face, there are increased wrinkles.
    • The faces are saggy, they lose their fat content in their face, there are increased wrinkles.
    • People have noticed that there’s more hollowing around their eyes because of the loss of the texture or the fat content that is in the face.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

‘Ozempic babies’: What the science says on whether the drug leads to surprise pregnancies, and their safety if they do

WCVB-TV Boston News Division Mira Cheng Wednesday, 08 May 2024 17:19
  • Unique Points
    • Catera Bentley was pregnant after taking Mounjaro for weight loss for a few months.
    • Bentley's menstrual cycles became normal and she felt happier while taking Mounjaro.
  • Accuracy
    • Catera Bentley was pregnant after taking Mounjaro for weight loss for (different number of months)
    • Bentley's menstrual cycles became normal while taking the drug.
    • Bentley lost about (different number of pounds) while taking the shot.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

82%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Ozempic babies? Are weight loss drugs leading to surprise pregnancies?

WXYZ-TV Channel 7 (ABC) HD Dr. Partha Wednesday, 08 May 2024 20:37
  • Unique Points
    • Women are reporting unexpected pregnancies while taking weight loss medication, coined as 'Ozempic babies'.
    • Ozempic and similar medications like Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Zepbound are prescribed for diabetes or weight loss.
    • GLP-1 receptor agonists help patients produce insulin, lower blood sugar levels, and slow down food in the gut leading to weight loss.
    • Losing weight can affect ovulation and improve conception rates.
    • Some studies have shown that high doses of these drugs in rats and mice can result in smaller offspring and sometimes birth defects.
    • Ozempic has been linked to structural fetal problems and growth issues in pregnant rats, with some babies dying before birth.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article by Dr. Partha Nandi contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author focuses on the potential link between weight loss drugs and surprise pregnancies without providing any concrete evidence or peer-reviewed studies to support this claim. Instead, the article relies on anecdotal evidence from women who have experienced unexpected pregnancies while taking these medications. Additionally, the author uses emotional language such as 'surprise pregnancies' and 'worries' to manipulate the reader's emotions and create a sense of urgency around the issue. Furthermore, there is no disclosure of sources in the article.
    • Research has indicated that high doses of these drugs in rats and mice can result in smaller offspring and sometimes birth defects.
    • Women are reporting unexpected pregnancies while taking weight loss medication.
    • These drugs belong to a group called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They help patients produce insulin, lower blood sugar levels, and slow down food in the gut. People feel fuller faster, therefore eat less and lose weight.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by citing studies and warnings from the prescribing information of the drugs. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing potential birth defects as 'major concerns' and 'concerning animal studies'. However, no explicit fallacies were found.
    • ][The drugs] warn about decreased birth control pill efficacy in their prescribing information.[/
    • Research has indicated that high doses of these drugs in rats and mice can result in smaller offspring and sometimes birth defects.[
  • Bias (95%)
    The author expresses concern over the potential link between weight loss medications and unexpected pregnancies, specifically mentioning Ozempic and its competitors. The author also mentions studies that have not raised major concerns but acknowledge the need for more research due to concerning animal studies. The author advises women planning a family to stop taking these medications two months before attempting to conceive and consider adding a backup method if using birth control.
    • But is there a link between these drugs and surprise pregnancies, and just how safe are they?
      • These problems could be due to the drugs causing animals to eat less, leading to inadequate nutrient supply for proper fetal development.
        • ]Women are reporting unexpected pregnancies while taking weight loss medication. It’s been coined ‘Ozempic babies,’ which refers to those using Ozempic and similar medications for diabetes or weight loss.[
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication