How to Evaluate Online Pregnancy Medication Advice for Accuracy

Every year, millions of pregnant women turn to the internet to find out if a medication is safe. They search for answers about pain relievers, antidepressants, asthma inhalers, or even herbal supplements. But here’s the hard truth: online pregnancy medication advice is often wrong. A 2019 study of over 1,400 online posts found that only 57% matched the gold-standard medical guidelines. That means more than 4 in 10 pieces of advice you read could be misleading-or dangerous.

Why Online Advice Gets It So Wrong

Social media, forums, and even some health blogs are full of personal stories: “I took ibuprofen at 12 weeks and my baby was fine!” or “My cousin’s friend had a miscarriage after taking prenatal vitamins.” These anecdotes feel real, but they’re not science. They don’t account for other factors like underlying health conditions, genetics, or timing. And they’re often shared because they’re emotional, not accurate.

The biggest problem? Most people don’t know how to spot the difference between real evidence and noise. A 2024 study showed that 76% of pregnant women can’t tell the difference between evidence-based advice and anecdotal claims. Even worse, women who think they’re good at evaluating information-rating themselves 7.8 out of 10-are often the ones who get it wrong. One Reddit thread with over a million members documented 87 cases where women stopped taking necessary antidepressants after reading misinformation. Twenty-nine of them ended up in emergency psychiatric care.

The Gold Standard: Teratology Information Services (TIS)

The only system trusted by doctors and researchers is called Teratology Information Services (TIS). It doesn’t just say “safe” or “not safe.” It uses four clear categories:

• Safe - Proven safe in multiple human studies
• Contraindicated - Known to cause harm; avoid completely
• On strict indication or second-line - Only use if benefits clearly outweigh risks
• Insufficient knowledge - Not enough human data to say for sure

Here’s the kicker: when a medication falls into “strict indication” or “insufficient knowledge,” online sources get it wrong over 90% of the time. For example, lamotrigine (used for epilepsy and bipolar disorder) is classified as “strict indication”-meaning it’s risky but sometimes necessary. Yet, most blogs and forums say it’s “dangerous” or “avoid at all costs,” leading women to stop taking it without medical guidance. That’s more dangerous than the drug itself.

Where to Find Real Information

Not all websites are created equal. Here are the only three sources you should trust:

1. MotherToBaby (operated by OTIS) - This nonprofit, backed by the CDC and FDA, offers free, evidence-based advice from specialists. Their website is updated quarterly, and they have a 24/7 hotline: 1-866-626-6847.
2. LactMed - Run by the National Library of Medicine, this database gives detailed, peer-reviewed info on drugs in pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s updated weekly and includes study data, dosages, and risks.
3. ACOG Guidelines - The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists publishes clear, updated recommendations based on the latest clinical evidence. Their Practice Bulletins are the standard for U.S. obstetric care.

Avoid commercial websites, pharmacy ads, and blogs that don’t cite sources. A 2023 review found only 38.7% of commercial sites gave complete risk-benefit analyses. Many are funded by drug companies and hide their bias. Look for .gov or .edu domains. If it’s .com and doesn’t list authors with credentials, treat it like a rumor.

How to Check If a Source Is Legit

You don’t need to be a doctor to spot bad advice. Use this 5-step method-it takes less than 20 minutes.

1. Check the source - Is it from MotherToBaby, LactMed, ACOG, or a university hospital? If it’s a random blog, YouTube video, or Facebook post, skip it.
2. Look for author credentials - Does the writer have an MD, PharmD, or PhD in obstetrics, pharmacology, or maternal-fetal medicine? Check their credentials on the American Board of Medical Specialties website.
3. Find the citations - Real advice references specific studies: “A 2021 JAMA study of 95,000 pregnancies found…” Not “Studies show…” or “Experts believe…” Look for the journal name, year, and sample size. If there’s no DOI or link to the original paper, it’s not trustworthy.
4. Check the date - Medical knowledge changes fast. Anything older than two years should be treated as outdated. The FDA updated its pregnancy labeling rules in 2015, replacing the old A, B, C, D, X categories with detailed summaries. If a site still uses those old letters, it’s not current.
5. Cross-check with at least two other trusted sources - Don’t rely on one site. If MotherToBaby says it’s safe, check LactMed. If both agree, you’re probably good. If they disagree, talk to your provider.

What Experts Say About Common Myths

There are a few myths that keep coming back-and they’re putting lives at risk.

• “Natural” means safe - Herbal supplements like ginger, turmeric, or black cohosh aren’t regulated. Only 0.3% of them are tested for safety in pregnancy. A 2024 study found 63% of women thought herbal products needed FDA approval. They don’t.
• “All medications cause birth defects” - This isn’t true. Most common medications-like acetaminophen (Tylenol), certain antibiotics, and asthma inhalers-are safe when used as directed. The real risks come from stopping needed meds. For example, untreated depression during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight more than antidepressants do.
• “If it’s on the internet, someone must have checked it” - The global pregnancy app market is worth $1.7 billion. Only 12% of those apps have been independently verified for accuracy. Most are designed to keep you scrolling, not to keep you safe.

What You Can Do Right Now

You don’t have to become a medical expert. But you do need to be a smart consumer. Here’s your action plan:

• Bookmark MotherToBaby.org and LactMed.nlm.nih.gov
• Save the phone number: 1-866-626-6847
• Before taking any new medication-even a supplement-ask: “Where did this info come from?”
• Bring your online research to your next prenatal visit. Say: “I read this online. Can we check it together?”
• If you’re unsure, don’t guess. Call a specialist. These services are free.

The Future Is Changing-But Not Fast Enough

New tools are coming. In late 2024, the FDA launched a pilot AI tool that scans online claims and flags inaccurate pregnancy medication advice with 83% accuracy. In 2025, the NIH is funding browser extensions that automatically check medication info against OTIS databases. By 2026, the FDA’s new Digital Health Software Precertification Program could force app makers to prove their advice is accurate before selling it.

But until then, the responsibility is on you. No algorithm will replace your critical thinking. No app will know your medical history better than you do. The most powerful tool you have is the ability to ask: “Where’s the proof?”