Communicating medication risks in pregnancy: Towards shared decision making
Medication use during pregnancy is common, yet safety data remain limited, often leading to exaggerated risk perceptions and suboptimal care. Current communication practices are fragmented: product labeling and patient leaflets tend to emphasize potential harms, while specialized resources are underused. We explore the challenges of conveying accurate risk-benefit information and highlight the need for shared decision making. Integrated, evidence-based resources accessible to both healthcare providers and patients can reduce misinformation, improve adherence to essential treatments, and ultimately enhance maternal and child health. The Swiss MAMA-MEDS initiative illustrates how a unified knowledge base can align messaging, address health inequalities, and support patient-centered pregnancy care.
Authors
- Kenneth Hodson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3091-6952)
- Michael Ceulemans (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4130-5869)
- David Baud (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9914-6496)
- Maya Berlin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4731-742X)
- Benôıt Marin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8857-0910)
- François R. Girardin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0842-927X)
- Corinna Weber‐Schoendorfer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2873-851X)
- Béatrice Schaad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4884-2413)
- Alice Panchaud (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6086-2401)
- Ursula Winterfed
Institutions
- University of Bern (CH)
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Inserm (FR)
- Teradyne (United States) (US)
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (IL)
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (GB)
- Radboud University Medical Center (NL)
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE)
- Sorbonne Université (FR)
- Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (FR)
- Institut Pierre Louis d‘Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (FR)
- Freie Universität Berlin (DE)
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
- University of Lausanne (CH)
- KU Leuven (BE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Drug Safety and Regulation
- Published
- 2025-10-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fdsfr.2025.1712216
- Primary Topic
- Pregnancy and Medication Impact
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
- Vlaamse regering