Do Ozempic Babies Really Exist?

There have been reports from women on social media claiming that they unexpectedly got pregnant after using Ozempic, a popular weight-loss drug. Is there any truth to these stories? Could this medication potentially boost fertility? And if a woman becomes pregnant while on Ozempic, what should she do?

You may have heard stories of women getting pregnant unexpectedly after using weight-loss drugs, but what do doctors say about the potential connection between Ozempic and fertility? Here’s what parents need to know about the “Ozempic Baby Boom.”

What is an “Ozempic Baby”?

A new trend dubbed the “Ozempic Baby” has emerged, with many social media users sharing stories of becoming pregnant after—or while—using this popular medication. TikTok is filled with anecdotes of individuals who claim to have conceived after years of infertility, some of whom were even told they couldn’t get pregnant. Some of these women were using contraception when they became pregnant.

“This isn’t surprising,” says Dr. Naila Ramji, a maternal-fetal medicine expert and assistant professor at Dalhousie University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. “We don’t yet have large-scale studies to show that this is statistically significant, but it makes sense when you consider the factors involved.”

There’s a known connection between obesity and infertility, as well as the potential for weight loss to restore fertility. Ozempic, a drug that impacts the gastrointestinal system, might also interfere with oral medications like birth control. Combining these factors could lead to an increase in unexpected pregnancies, says Dr. Ramji.

Ozempic and a similar drug, Mounjaro, are both classified as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs mimic a protein in the body called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which plays a role in insulin regulation and appetite control. They’re approved for treating type 2 diabetes and are also used for weight loss under the brand names Wegovy and Zepbound. Due to increasing demand, all four of these medications are now widely used for weight loss, with an estimated 900,000 to 1.4 million Canadians taking them.

How Does Weight Loss Improve Fertility?

Being overweight can affect fertility because fat tissue produces excess estrogen, which leads to abnormal hormonal signals. “The normal feedback mechanisms that occur during a regular menstrual cycle don’t happen, disrupting the system,” explains Dr. Ramji. As a result, ovulation may be irregular, periods can become unpredictable, and the chances of conception may decrease—unless weight loss occurs.

“Losing weight can restore ovulation and fertility in some women,” says Dr. Daniel Drucker, a senior scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute in Toronto, who helped identify the hormones that these drugs mimic. GLP-1 drugs have been shown to help people lose significant amounts of weight, with clinical trials showing an average weight loss of 15% to 20%.

For women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition often linked with obesity, doctors recommend weight loss as a first step in treating infertility. Data suggests that losing just 5% of body weight can improve the chances of pregnancy.

Can Ozempic Reduce the Effectiveness of Birth Control?

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic slow gastric emptying, which can affect the absorption of oral medications, including birth control pills. “The absorption of birth control may be reduced,” says Dr. Drucker. In fact, Mounjaro carries a warning label indicating that oral contraceptives may be less effective while taking the drug.

Dr. Ramji recommends considering a non-gastrointestinal method of contraception, such as an intrauterine device (IUD), an estrogen ring, or a contraceptive patch, if you’re using Ozempic or a similar medication.

Is It Safe to Take Weight-Loss Drugs During Pregnancy?

Health authorities, including Health Canada, have not approved Ozempic or similar medications for use during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there is limited information on how these drugs may affect a pregnancy. As is common in drug testing, pregnant women were excluded from clinical trials conducted by the drug manufacturers, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

For safety, doctors generally recommend stopping these medications at least two months before attempting to conceive, as noted in the drug information. “We don’t know how long these medications stay in the body, so this precaution is for safety reasons,” says Dr. Ramji.

What Should You Do If You Become Pregnant While on Ozempic?

If you find out you’re pregnant while taking Ozempic, don’t panic. “As long as a woman is eating normally, there’s no need to worry,” says Dr. Drucker. He points out that two reports of women who became pregnant while on GLP-1 medications did not show harm to the baby.

However, animal studies suggest that GLP-1 drugs may carry risks such as birth defects, low birth weight, and miscarriage. “We don’t know if these drugs can cause birth defects in humans,” says Dr. Ramji. “More research is needed.”

Ozempic’s official website currently states, “It is unclear whether Ozempic can harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk,” while Wegovy’s website notes that the drug “may harm an unborn baby.”

If you discover you’re pregnant while taking Ozempic, it’s important to stop the medication immediately and consult with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend an ultrasound to monitor fetal development. “These patients may need closer tracking to check the growth of the baby,” says Dr. Ramji. (If you are taking Ozempic to control blood sugar, your endocrinologist will likely suggest a different medication during pregnancy.)

Novo Nordisk has launched a registry to gather data on the safety of Wegovy during pregnancy, so we may learn more about the “Ozempic Baby Boom” and its effects on pregnant women and developing babies over time.

Conclusion

If you’re currently using Ozempic or another GLP-1 medication and have concerns about its effects on fertility or pregnancy, it’s crucial to discuss your questions with your healthcare provider. While there are promising benefits for weight loss and fertility, there are still important considerations when it comes to pregnancy. Always consult with your doctor to ensure your safety and the health of your future pregnancy.