Sonja Rasmussen – The Conversation

More than 9 in 10 women take at least one medication during pregnancy, yet data on prescription drugs’ effects on the fetus are sparse. Adam Hester/Tetra images via Getty Images

August 28, 2025

Pregnant women face tough choices about medication use due to lack of safety data − here’s why medical research cuts will make it worse

Almut Winterstein, University of Florida and Sonja Rasmussen, Johns Hopkins University

Recent progress in understanding drug safety during pregnancy is at risk due to cuts to medical research funding.

Many babies born with severe birth defects die within the first few days or weeks of life. shironosov/iStock via Getty Images Plus

January 30, 2025

Stricter abortion laws may cause increased infant deaths − 2 maternal and child health researchers explain the data

Almut Winterstein, University of Florida and Sonja Rasmussen, Johns Hopkins University

The new study reinforces warnings from doctors about abortion laws with limited or no exceptions.

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