Thinking About GLP-1 Medications Before Pregnancy? Here's What New Research Shows
A person lifts their shirt to use an injectable medication in their abdomen
By Lee Hullender Rubin, DAoM, MS, LAc, FABORM
If you're using medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro to manage weight or diabetes while trying to conceive, important new research published in JAMA may affect your family planning decisions.
What are GLP-1 Medications?
GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are medications that help with weight loss and blood sugar control. Common brands include semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), liraglutide (Victoza), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and dulaglutide (Trulicity). These medications have become increasingly popular for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes—conditions that affect many people trying to conceive.
Why This Study Matters
Currently, GLP-1 medications are not recommended during pregnancy due to animal studies showing potential risks to developing babies. Most people stop these medications either before trying to conceive or immediately after learning they're pregnant. But researchers wanted to understand what happens after discontinuation—and the findings are significant.
What the Research Found
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital studied nearly 150,000 pregnancies delivered between 2016 and 2025. They compared 448 pregnancies where individuals had used GLP-1 medications (stopping before or early in pregnancy) with carefully matched pregnancies where no GLP-1 medications were used.
Key Findings:
More Weight Gain During Pregnancy Women who had used GLP-1 medications gained an average of 3.3 kg (about 7 pounds) more during pregnancy compared to similar women who hadn't used these medications. Sixty-five percent experienced excessive gestational weight gain—significantly higher than the 49% in the comparison group.
Higher Risk of Pregnancy Complications The study found increased risks of several pregnancy complications among GLP-1 users:
34% higher risk of preterm delivery (17% vs. 13%)
30% higher risk of gestational diabetes (20% vs. 15%)
29% higher risk of hypertensive disorders including preeclampsia (46% vs. 36%)
Baby Outcomes Birth weights were slightly higher on average, but there was no increased risk of having a large baby or requiring cesarean delivery. The long-term effects on children remain unknown and require further study.
Why Does Stopping GLP-1 Medications Cause Weight Gain?
Outside of pregnancy, research shows that people typically regain weight after stopping GLP-1 medications. During pregnancy, this rebound effect appears even more pronounced. Since excessive weight gain during pregnancy is linked to gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and preterm birth, this creates a concerning pattern.
The study suggests that the benefits of losing weight before pregnancy with GLP-1 medications might be partially offset by the rebound weight gain that occurs after stopping them for pregnancy.
What Does This Mean for Your Fertility Journey?
If you're currently using or considering GLP-1 medications while trying to conceive, here are important considerations:
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider This research doesn't mean GLP-1 medications are harmful—it reveals what happens when you stop them for pregnancy. Your doctor can help you weigh the benefits of preconception weight loss against potential pregnancy risks.
Plan Ahead If you're using GLP-1 medications, discuss your family planning timeline with your provider. They may recommend strategies to help maintain weight loss after stopping the medication and before conceiving.
Monitor Your Pregnancy Closely If you used GLP-1 medications before pregnancy, your obstetric care team should know. You may benefit from closer monitoring for gestational diabetes, blood pressure problems, and signs of preterm labor.
Consider Alternatives Ask your provider about other approaches to optimize your weight and blood sugar before pregnancy that won't require discontinuation.
Important Limitations
This study has some limitations. It looked at women who stopped GLP-1 medications for pregnancy but didn't compare their pre-medication weight to their pregnancy weight. It also couldn't account for all possible factors that might affect pregnancy outcomes. The research included mostly women with obesity from one healthcare system in Boston, so results may not apply to everyone.
The Bottom Line
GLP-1 medications can be valuable tools for weight and diabetes management before pregnancy. And, adequate nutrition while on a GLP-1 is imperative. However, this research shows that stopping them for pregnancy is associated with significant weight regain and increased pregnancy complications. This doesn't mean you shouldn't use these medications, but it does mean you need personalized guidance from your healthcare team.
The study authors emphasize the need for clinical strategies to help manage weight during pregnancy for women who used GLP-1 medications beforehand. They also call for more research on the long-term effects on both mothers and children.
If you're navigating infertility or preparing for fertility treatment while using GLP-1 medications, bring this information to your next appointment. Together with your reproductive endocrinologist and obstetrician, you can create the best plan for your unique situation.
Read the full study:Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes After GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Discontinuation published in JAMA, November 2025.