Ozempic Babies: Is Ozempic Safe For IVF & Other Fertility Treatments?

By Sara Arian, MD, MSc, FACOG - Boston IVF Reproductive Endocrinologist

The new trend “Ozempic babies” has been buzzing all over social media. “Ozempic babies” is a catchy term used to describe unexpected pregnancies that occur while taking weight loss medications like Ozempic (Semaglutide) or similar drugs like Wegovy, Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), and Zepbound. These new drugs are the ‘hottest’ drugs on the market these days. This trend has become very popular on social media, with many people sharing their surprise pregnancy stories, including those who were on birth control or had long-standing fertility issues. But can Ozempic and other similar drugs really boost fertility? Let’s go beyond the hype and talk about the benefits, the risks, and all the unknowns of these weight loss medications.   

How Does Body Weight Impact Hormones & Fertility? 

As much as talking about weight is very stigmatized, it has been known for a long time that excess weight can increase the risk of infertility, miscarriage, and poor pregnancy outcomes. This can be due to hormonal and metabolic imbalances, ovulation disorders, menstrual irregularities, and insulin resistance. Too much fat means too much estrogen, which can disrupt the brain-ovary connection and lead to irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation. Obesity can also negatively impact a woman’s oocyte (egg) quality and can make it more difficult to conceive unassisted or through assisted reproduction techniques like in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

Is Ozempic the Miracle Fertility Drug?  

How can weight loss help improve one’s odds of becoming pregnant and how does Ozempic fit into this leading to unexpected pregnancies? It is no secret that weight loss, whether occurring through dietary changes, exercise, and/or with the help of medications, such as weight loss medications or diabetes drugs (that can also help with metabolic regulation and weight loss), can have positive impacts on correction of metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, improving regularity of menstrual cycles, and making ovulation more regular. Therefore, most of these stories about Ozempic leading to pregnancy come down to the fact that weight loss can jumpstart and induce regular ovulation.  

There is also a theory is that Ozempic can impact the effectiveness of birth control pills, however, there is currently no scientific evidence or published data demonstrating that GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic make birth control less effective. One proposed thought is that the delayed gastric emptying that comes as a side effect of these medications may lead to the hormones of the birth control pill not being properly absorbed, thus leading to contraceptive failure. That being said, if someone is on any of these weight loss drugs and not trying to get pregnant, they may have to take extra precautions around oral contraceptive pills. To minimize the risk of unintended pregnancy, drug manufacturers recommend that individuals switch to non-oral contraceptive methods, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, or barrier methods (condoms) for contraception, while taking these medications. 

Should Ozempic and/or Other Weight Loss Medications Be Avoided While Trying to Conceive? 

Ozempic does not come without its drawbacks and risks especially in people of childbearing age. It is crucial for individuals considering these medications for weight loss to have a candid conversation and clear communication with healthcare providers to ensure a safe and effective approach to discontinuing the medication and preparing for pregnancy. Data from animal studies suggest that these drugs should not be used in pregnancy due to potential risks of fetal abnormalities, congenital birth defects, and increase miscarriage rates. Therefore, these individuals should be advised to come off the medication at least two months before trying to conceive. 

Individuals on these drugs should also be counseled appropriately that they should be using effective, ideally non-oral contraceptive options to avoid pregnancy until at least two months after stopping these medications and until more research is done.  

How Soon Prior to IVF Treatment Should Ozempic Be Discontinued?  

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recommends that patients taking Ozempic, and similar weight loss drugs stop taking them at least a week before elective surgery, including oocyte retrieval procedure as part of IVF. This is because these drugs can delay stomach emptying, which may increase the risk of regurgitation and aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs or airway during general anesthesia. This could lead to complications. While there are currently no clear guidelines, it is typically recommended to stop these weight loss injections at least 1-2 weeks prior to starting IVF treatment. 

Proceeding with Caution 

The term “Ozempic Baby Boom” may be getting a lot of attraction on social media and becoming viral on Tik Tok, but getting on the drug in hopes of getting pregnant while on the medication is not a good idea and should be discouraged. Ozempic is still a relatively new drug in the field of medicine and more research and long-term data are needed to confirm the efficacy and long-term safety of these medications.  

This is a call to approach your health with the guidance and expertise from healthcare professionals who can help navigate these options safely. Following the recommended guidelines, can help individuals of childbearing age make informed decisions about their treatment options and family planning goals. 

Sara Arian, MD, MSc, FACOG, is a double board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist at Boston IVF, a part of the IVIRMA Fertility Network. Dr. Arian is also an instructor at Harvard Medical School and leads OB/GYN resident education at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She completed her Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the Cleveland Clinic and Baylor College of Medicine. She received her Master’s in Clinical Research at Baylor College of Medicine. The author of numerous publications in prestigious journals and several book chapters, Dr. Arian has received multiple awards for her innovative research and high-quality surgical skills, including recognition from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society of Reproductive Investigation (SRI).