AUTHOR=Winterfeld Ursula , Hodson Kenneth , Berlin Maya , Marin Benoît , Ceulemans Michael , Weber-Schoendorfer Corinna , Girardin François R. , Baud David , Schaad Béatrice , Panchaud Alice 

TITLE=Communicating medication risks in pregnancy: Towards shared decision making

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Drug Safety and Regulation

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/drug-safety-and-regulation/articles/10.3389/fdsfr.2025.1712216

DOI=10.3389/fdsfr.2025.1712216

ISSN=2674-0869

ABSTRACT=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.