A pregnancy drug registry is a research study designed to collect data on the effects of certain medications on pregnant people and their developing babies.
Pregnant people are typically not included in clinical trials, so these registries allow for monitoring in the real-world to understand more about the safety of a drug.
There is often limited data on the impact of drugs on human pregnancy. A registry bridges the gap by enrolling participants who are taking certain medications and are currently pregnant. Researchers follow along with the pregnant person throughout their pregnancy and for some time after the birth to look at:
- Pregnant person health outcomes: They focus on the pregnant person’s health and safety. Researchers may monitor to see if they develop any conditions, such as gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy) or preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).
- Pregnancy outcomes: Researchers will track if there are any complications with the pregnancy or birth, such as pregnancy loss or preterm birth (birth that happens before 37 weeks).
- Newborn health: Researchers will also look at the newborn’s health and safety. They may monitor for birth defects or whether the child is meeting developmental milestones.
The goal of a pregnancy registry is informed-decision making. Data gathered from these registries can be added to the safety information for that drug. This can help healthcare professionals evaluate the benefits or risks of prescribing certain drugs during pregnancy.
Participation is voluntary.
The data collected is de-indefitied. This means that personal names and contact information are removed before the information is shared or analyzed.
How to sign up for a pregnancy registry
- Check the
pregnancy registry list to see if your condition or medication has an active registry. - Talk with your doctor about whether participating is right for you.
- Think of a list of questions you want to ask the registry, such as “How often will they contact me?”, “How will I find out the results?”, or “Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns?”.
- Sign up for the registry, either on their website or by phone. In some cases, your doctor may need to sign you up.
Pregnancy drug registries may not be for everyone who is pregnant. Talk with your doctor to get more information about the safety of taking prescription drugs while pregnant and whether participating in a registry is best for you.
Disclaimer: While MyistyClan strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.