I recently bought a screaming goat. Every time I hear misinformation about medicine, science, and abortion, I want to scream. The goat helps save my poor vocal cords. Not sure if the battery is going to make it to the end of the year.
This week the goat has been busy, as medications are under attack. The first big news related to misinformation and medication was the unprecedented attack on acetaminophen in pregnancy. Armed with one questionable study, HHS put out a warning that acetaminophen causes autism. Reader, this is fake news. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB-Gyn’s who understand and use research to provide the best care) and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (high risk OB-Gyn’s who know a thing or two) have both come out against this association with autism and acetaminophen.
Here’s what ACOG says in their practice advisory about acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental outcomes:
The alternative is not adequately treating pain or fever, which ARE associated with negative outcomes. For example, poorly controlled fever in early pregnancy is associated with birth defects like neural tube defects and cleft palate. Not treating pain in pregnancy is also a terrible idea (even though it seems to be part of a strategy to make women as miserable as possible). Poorly treated pain can have impacts on people that impact both physical and mental well-being of the pregnant individual.
As if that wasn’t enough medication misinformation for the week, HHS has announced they will investigate the safety of mifepristone. Spoiler alert: it’s been studied, and studied, and studied… AND IT’S SAFE! So safe, one could argue that it should be sold over the counter.
Check out Jessica Valenti’s coverage of the topic here:
We have an incredibly timely discussion with researcher and expert, Dr. Daniel Grossman, from UCSF about the history, safety, science, and advances related to medication abortion. This conversation was enlightening and should clear up any doubts about the safety and efficacy of mifepristone. The title of the episode is “A spoonful of science helps the medicine go down.” Please listen, share, and subscribe. If you’re enjoying Outlawed, please consider giving us a review and rating on your podcast app of choice. If you’re not enjoying it, my guess is you wouldn’t be reading this far into our newsletter.
What else am I listening to/reading this week?
One of my favorite podcasts is Rachel Martin’s Wild Card. This week’s interview with Matthew McConaughey is excellent! I love Rachel Martin’s interview style and want to be her when I grow up.
Neko Case just released a new album! We here at the podcast are huge fans, and can’t wait to dive in.
I’m in between books, but just finished Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage by Rachel Gross (highly recommend!) - she talks about the dearth of science about the female body. It’s an excellent survey of history, anatomy, and current scientific study about women’s bodies. Even as an OB-Gyn, I learned a ton!
Have a great weekend, folks!
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