Overview
- Pregnancies after pre‑pregnancy or early‑pregnancy discontinuation of GLP‑1 receptor agonists showed greater gestational weight gain and higher risks of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and preterm delivery versus matched pregnancies without prior GLP‑1 use.
- On average, those who stopped GLP‑1s gained 7.2 pounds more, with relative risks higher by 32% for excess weight gain, 30% for gestational diabetes, 29% for hypertensive disorders, and 34% for preterm delivery.
- The study drew on electronic health records for 1,792 GLP‑1–exposed pregnancies at Mass General Brigham, each matched to three unexposed pregnancies with similar characteristics.
- No differences emerged in birth weight, birth length, rates of high or low birth weight, or cesarean delivery between exposure groups.
- Investigators note that current guidance advises stopping GLP‑1 drugs before conception due to limited fetal safety data and call for research to guide counseling and management when therapy is interrupted during pregnancy.