What is an “Ozempic Baby”?
An “Ozempic baby” is a term used to describe an unplanned pregnancy that occurs while taking a weight loss medication in the GLP1-RA (Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist) category like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy. There have been numerous anecdotal reports on social media of women unexpectedly becoming pregnant while taking Ozempic or related GLP-1 drugs for weight loss or diabetes management, some while on hormonal birth control.
The most likely explanation of these surprise pregnancies is that significant weight loss from the drugs can restore ovulation, thus increasing the likelihood of pregnancy in obese women, many of whom do not ovulate spontaneously. A lesser explanation is that these drugs may interfere with the absorption of oral contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness.
It has been known for years that weight loss may improve fertility by allowing women to ovulate. The “Ozempic Babies” phenomenon is no surprise to reproductive specialists.
What are the recommendations for patients who are trying to conceive while using weight loss medications such as Ozempic?
Medications like Ozempic are not approved for use during pregnancy due to potential risks to the fetus observed in animal studies, including increased risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Doctors recommend immediately stopping these medications if pregnancy occurs.
However, a recent study in the British Medical Journal on pregnancies on Ozempic offers reassurance in cases of inadvertent exposure to GLP1-RA during the first trimester of pregnancy. Exposure to GLP1-RA in the first trimester was not associated with a risk of major birth defects when compared with pregnancy outcomes in patients with diabetes or obesity.
What are the known effects of Ozempic on reproductive health in both men and women?
Negative effects on sperm have not been observed in men taking Ozempic. In fact, theoretically weight loss in men, with or without medications, may result in sperm improvement.
As of yet, no known short- or long-term adverse effects of Ozempic on reproduction in women have been found.
How should patients discuss their use of weight loss medications with their healthcare providers when planning a pregnancy?
The product labels for Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus® recommend people who are planning a pregnancy stop this medication 2 months before a pregnancy. It takes approximately 6 weeks for the medication to be eliminated from the body after administration.
Studies have not been done in humans to see if semaglutide increases the chance of miscarriage. Animal studies have reported a higher chance for miscarriage.
Doctors caution that more research is needed on the safety of semaglutide during pregnancy and currently recommend against its use in pregnancy. Accidental exposure to the drug in pregnancy, however, should not lead to any action to prevent continuation of the pregnancy.
If you are dreaming of starting or growing your family and are thinking about or already using Ozempic or other weight loss medications, speak with one of our physicians to ensure your journey to better health and fertility is on the right track. Schedule an appointment with us now and take a positive step towards your future!
