Morning Sickness and Nausea

Medication prescribed for morning sickness not associated with increased risk of major malformations or stillbirth.

More than 50 percent of pregnant women experience morning sickness. 10 to 15 percent are so sick their doctor will prescribe medication to help with their symptoms. For those with concerns about taking medication during pregnancy…a study suggests that metoclopramide is safe.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 1.2 million pregnant women…. Among the nearly 28,500 who were exposed to metoclopramide in the first trimester, 721 had babies with a congenital malformation. That’s a rate of 25.3 per 1,000. The researchers then compared that data to outcomes from more than 113,000 women who were not exposed to the drug. 3-thousand-24 babies were diagnosed with malformations or 26.6 per 1,000.

The bottom line according to the study: no association could be made between taking metoclopramide and any of the 20 specific malformations studied, including neural tube defects, cleft lip, cleft palate and limb reduction. The results also showed no link to stillbirth or miscarriage.