Postpartum Weight-Loss Drugs: A Growing Trend with Unknown Effects

A recent study has uncovered a surprising trend: more new mothers in Denmark are using weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy after giving birth. This is quite unusual, considering the natural weight loss and hormonal changes that typically occur postpartum.

Striking Numbers

• 2018: Fewer than 5 per 10,000 new moms were prescribed these drugs in the first six months after childbirth.
• Mid-2022: The number shot up to 34 per 10,000.
• Mid-2024: The number skyrocketed to 173 per 10,000, nearly 2% of all postpartum mothers.

Who Is Using These Drugs?

• Most users were over 30 and had more than one child.
• Many were overweight but did not have diabetes or a history of using these drugs, known as GLP-1s.

The Study

• Analyzed over 382,000 pregnancies in Denmark from 2018 to mid-2024.
• Linked birth records with prescription data to track postpartum GLP-1 medication use.

Unknown Effects on New Mothers

• Semaglutide, the active ingredient, is known to aid weight loss.
• Its effects on new mothers during the postpartum period are not well understood, especially due to hormonal changes.

Safety Concerns for Breastfeeding Infants

• No adverse effects have been observed in breastfed babies of mothers taking semaglutide.
• Limited evidence exists on long-term effects on a baby’s metabolism, pancreas, and growth.
• Very few studies have been conducted.

Key Questions Raised

• Should weight-loss drugs be used postpartum?
• What are the long-term effects on mothers and babies?
• More research is needed to fully understand the implications.