Health & Medicine

Why taking medications during pregnancy is so confusing

It's hard to know what new drugs are safe when medical research excludes pregnant people

pregnant person holding a pill in one hand and a glass of water in the other hand

Pregnant people are barred from most clinical trials, leading to a scarcity of data on the safety and effectiveness of medications used during pregnancy.

LJUBAPHOTO/E+/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

By Erika Engelhaupt

Obstetrician Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman was treating patients in New York City when the COVID-19 pandemic swept in. Hospitals began filling up. Some of her pregnant patients were among the sick.

It was a terrifying time.