International Confederation of Midwives Responds to Comments on Paracetamol Use in Pregnancy
23 October 2024 – Recent public remarks have raised questions about the safety of paracetamol use during pregnancy. The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) recognises that such comments may understandably worry pregnant women and parents.
The question of whether paracetamol affects a child’s development has been examined before. In 2019, the European Medicines Agency reviewed all available studies on neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed to paracetamol during pregnancy. The agency concluded that the results were inconclusive and no link to neurodevelopmental disorders could be established. Its recommendation that paracetamol can be used in pregnancy has not changed.
Paracetamol is a common medicine used to relieve pain. As with all medicines, women are advised to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and to consult a healthcare professional. It is important to note that untreated fever itself can pose risks for both mother and baby.
The Consequences of Misinformation
Alarm caused by misinformation can have significant health consequences. For example, routine infant vaccination programmes—including for Hepatitis B—have transformed health outcomes worldwide. Clinical trials show that if given within 24 hours after birth, followed by at least two subsequent doses, the Hepatitis B vaccine prevents around 90% of perinatal HBV infections in high-risk babies (WHO, 2015). Any decline in confidence due to misinformation risks reduced vaccine uptake, leaving mothers and babies vulnerable to preventable illness.
Beyond physical health, alarming headlines and comments from public figures can intensify stress and self-doubt during pregnancy and early parenthood. Feeling that you are making the “wrong” choices can contribute to low mood or depression, further undermining maternal wellbeing.
The Role of Midwives in Addressing Disinformation
Vaccine disinformation is already a major challenge. A 2025 study noted: “For midwives, disinformation adds complexity to their role, requiring them not only to correct falsehoods but also to rebuild trust when it has been eroded by inaccurate digital narratives.” This underscores the critical importance of midwives as trusted navigators in the healthcare journey.
Every woman has the right to informed consent and to make autonomous decisions about her care, based on clear, evidence-based information. ICM recommends that midwives’ guidance on treatments and procedures—including their benefits, risks, and management strategies—be rooted in the best available evidence and national guidelines.
By supporting women in this way, midwives enable them to make choices that reflect their values, uphold their dignity, and promote positive health outcomes for both mother and baby.
