Ep. 385: Tylenol in Pregnancy: Risks, Benefits & Alternatives with Michaela Wachal, PharmD, CSP

Ep. 385: Tylenol in Pregnancy: Risks, Benefits & Alternatives with Michaela Wachal, PharmD, CSP

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with clinical pharmacist Dr. Michaela Wachal to unpack the controversy surrounding Tylenol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy and its potential links to autism and other neurodevelopmental concerns.

Together, they dive into what the research actually says (and doesn’t say), why transparency and informed consent are so important, and how to navigate decisions around medications in pregnancy with confidence. Dr. Wachal also highlights the bigger picture, like how genetics, environmental toxins, and even maternal stress can play a role in outcomes, and why caring for yourself is just as critical as any prescription.

This conversation is packed with nuance, evidence, and practical takeaways to help you feel informed, empowered, and ready to advocate for yourself as you make decisions about your pregnancy care.

00:00 Introduction and Media Misrepresentation

01:05 Personal Story and Birth Lounge App

02:16 Empowering Prenatal Conversations

05:26 Emergency Use Authorization Episode

07:34 Interview with Dr. Michaela Wachal

09:14 Medication Safety in Pregnancy

12:37 Pharmaceutical Industry Failures

15:20 Personal Journey and Advocacy

18:55 Questioning Medical Norms

21:15 Tylenol and Toxins

23:34 Aluminum in Vaccines

27:32 The Importance of Transparency

37:05 Advocating for Education and Understanding

37:51 The Power of Asking Questions

40:21 Nesting and Preparing for Baby

43:17 Managing Fevers During Pregnancy

52:01 Environmental Toxins and Health

01:00:41 Therapies and Support for Children on the Spectrum

01:09:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Guest Bio:

Michaela Wachal, PharmD, CSP, is a clinical pharmacist, Certified Specialty Pharmacist, and Clinical Accreditation Manager with nearly a decade of experience in specialty pharmacy. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Doane University. Throughout her career, she’s specialized in complex conditions including oncology, fertility, endocrinology, immunology, mental health, and inflammatory diseases—always with a passion for improving patient care, optimizing healthcare systems, and empowering women in medicine.

Michaela is also a mom of three, including one child with autism, ADHD, and anxiety, which ignited her deep interest in neurodiversity, integrative health, and individualized medicine. After navigating her own family’s challenges, she began researching functional and evidence-based approaches to support children and families living with complex needs. Online, Michaela shares insights from scientific studies on autism, ADHD, vaccines, autoimmune conditions, toxins, and more, always with a focus on helping parents make informed, evidence-based choices.

Her work blends professional expertise with personal passion, making her a trusted voice in both the pharmacy world and the parenting community.

INSTAGRAM:

Connect with HeHe on IG

Connect with Dr. Wachal on IG

BIRTH EDUCATION:

Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

RESEARCH MENTIONED:
  • 2021 there's a call for action published supported by 91 scientists, clinicians and public health professionals across the globe recommended that pregnant women should be cautioned at the beginning of pregnancy to forego APAP unless it is medically indicated and to minimize the exposure by using the lowest effective dose for shortest possible time https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34556849/

  • Boston Birth cohort published in 2020 looked at acetaminophen metabolites in cord blood samples collected at birth and unchanged acetaminophen levels were detected in all cord plasma samples and acetaminophen burden was associated with higher odds of ADHD and ASD daignosis there was a 2.3 to 3.5 increased risk for ADHD and 1.6 to 4.1 increased risk for ASD https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31664451/

  • Recently in August Harvard did an analysis using the Navigation Guide methodology that supports evidence consistent with an association between acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy and increased incidence of Neurodevelopmental disorders. This included 46 studies with 27 reporting positive associations with the higher quality studies more likely to show positive correlations
  • https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-025-01208-0

  • In 2018 there was a review that showed that 9 prospective cohort studies that all suggested an association between prenatal APAP exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes - ADHD, ASD or lower IQ and longer duration was associated with increased risk https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29341895/

  • 2022 a prospective cohort study in Pennsylvania looked at 2,423 moms using data and children who were exposed to APAP during pregnancy scored higher for child behaviors, sleep problems and attention problems https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36170224/

Keywords: Tylenol pregnancy, acetaminophen pregnancy, Tylenol autism risk, pregnancy medication safety, prenatal care, evidence-based pregnancy, maternal health, neurodevelopment, pregnancy decision making, informed consent pregnancy, pregnancy medications, Dr. Michaela Wachal, Birth Lounge podcast, pregnancy self-care, pregnancy toxins

Avsnitt(386)

Ep. 252: The Mental Load of Motherhood with Paige Connell

Ep. 252: The Mental Load of Motherhood with Paige Connell

Today's episode is filled with so many learning moments for HeHe as she interviews Paige Connell, @shesapaigeturner on IG and TikTok, about the mental load of motherhood! Paige so eloquently describes the mental burden that comes with being the primary parent. We dive into how society encourages and upholds the idea of disrespecting & devaluing women's time, how men can be active participants in the home and the difference between delegating to your husband vs empowering them to take charge. This is the episode that we all needed to hear but didn't know we did.    Follow Paige on IG   Follow HeHe on IG   Download the Dad Daze course!

22 Mars 202458min

Ep. 251: Bridging the Education Gap for Dad in Pregnancy & Childbirth with J.J. Lowry

Ep. 251: Bridging the Education Gap for Dad in Pregnancy & Childbirth with J.J. Lowry

Today's episode is one that is life changing for all dads! HeHe gets to interview, JJ Lowry, the author of Becoming Dad: A Pregnancy Guide for Dads. What started as a deep dive researching information about becoming a father turned into a book laying out exactly what men need to know to help their families flourish in welcoming a baby!    The Book: Becoming Dad   Download Dad Daze Course   Join The Birth Lounge

20 Mars 202453min

Ep. 250: The KEYS to Newborn Sleep

Ep. 250: The KEYS to Newborn Sleep

This episode is everything you need to get your newborn sleeping through the night in the first 16 weeks after birth! All the tips shared in this episode are actionable TODAY to get you better sleep starting tonight!   Connect with HeHe on IG   Download the Newborn Sleep Solutions Guide for infants 0-16 weeks   Join our FREE Masterclass about How to Decrease Your Risk of a C-section!

15 Mars 202423min

Ep. 249: Twin Sleep with Kim West & Natalie Diaz

Ep. 249: Twin Sleep with Kim West & Natalie Diaz

Dig out your scuba gear, cause we’re taking a deep dive into the world of twin sleep! In this episode HeHe meets with Kim West (The Sleep Lady) and Natalie Diaz (Twiniversity). Sleep training can be a bit of a hot topic and today we’re talking about common ways *cough* cry it out *cough* people have tried to sleep train, and alternatives to cry it out that actually work. Listen in as we discuss the most recent data, age old theories and their new book! Guest Bio: Natalie and Kim are the co-authors of The Newborn Twins Sleep Guide: The Nap and Nighttime Sanity Saver for Your Duo's First Five Months, a research-backed resource for new and expecting parents of twins, offering a gentle approach and an alternative to allowing your babies to cry it out.   Natalie and Kim have appeared on and in Parents, People, Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bravo TV, CNN, Fox News, TODAY, GMA, Dr. Phil, and more. Links:  Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Connect with HeHe on IG    Connect with Kim (The Sleep Lady) on IG or on her website here.    Connect with Natalie (Twiniversity) on IG or on her website here.    Grab Kim and Natalie’s book here   Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com   Sign up for Lactation, bottle feeding or formula feeding support from HeHe: https://calendly.com/tranquilitybyhehe/1-to-1-consult Check out our FREE CLASS: 6 Ways to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce your Risk of Tearing: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/opt-in   Check out the Newborn Sleep Solution Guide: https://stan.store/TranquilityByHeHe/p/newborn-sleep-solutions-maximizing-newborn-sleep/

13 Mars 202456min

Ep. 248: Mirror Neurons in Labor with Dr. Jaz Robbins

Ep. 248: Mirror Neurons in Labor with Dr. Jaz Robbins

Are you familiar with mirror neurons and their role in the way our brain works? If not, you'll want to understand exactly what they are and how they have the potential to positively or negatively impact your labor experience!    Evidence Based Pitocin Guide Connect with HeHe on IG   Work with Dr. Jaz The Active Experience Connect with Dr. Jaz on IG   Dr. Jaz Bio:  Dr. Jaz Robbins is a therapist, nutritionist, author, professor, and mental health consultant. She is the founder of the nonprofit, Healing, Hope & Love as well as the mental health consulting firm, The Active Experience®. She specializes in working with clients who have histories of trauma and/or complicated health concerns. Additionally, Dr. Robbins is a poet and stage performer who enjoys integrating expressive arts into her work with clients when appropriate.

12 Mars 20241h 5min

Ep. 247: Is 'TheVillage' a thing of the past? with Maranda Bowers

Ep. 247: Is 'TheVillage' a thing of the past? with Maranda Bowers

It takes a village to raise a child… but where is that village?! In this episode, HeHe sits down with Maranda Bower of Postpartum University to discuss how postpartum looks very different today than it did when our parents were having children & what that means for the way we need to prepare for postpartum.  Connect with HeHe on IG   Connect with Maranda on IG https://postpartumu.com/   Join The Birth Lounge    Sign up for Lactation, bottle feeding or formula feeding support from HeHe Check out our FREE CLASS >> 6 Ways to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce your Risk of Tearing

6 Mars 202438min

Ep. 246: Your Bladder Matters

Ep. 246: Your Bladder Matters

Your bladder plays a huge role in labor! If it is full, it is taking up valuable space that baby needs to continue their descent down and out. You should be emptying your bladder frequently during labor—and that’s exactly what this episode is about! HeHe is diving into the why and when behind peeing often in labor.   A 2017 study stated that postpartum hemorrhage occurs in 3% of births, but the CDC Foundation suggests that up to 70% of those may be avoidable. It’s been shared time and time again that having a full bladder can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and this episode is going to spill the beans on what you need to know!   Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/   Episode Resources: 2017 study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28502... CDC Foundation: https://www.cdcfoundation.org/sites/default/files/files/ReportfromNineMMRCs.pdf National Insitute for Children's Health Quality: https://nichq.org/insight/taking-leading-cause-maternal-death-improving-postpartum-hemorrhage-care EBB: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/ Maternal Mortality Review Information App: https://reviewtoaction.org/implement/getting-started ACOG: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2017/10/postpartum-hemorrhage ACOG Expansion: https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2017/09/acog-expands-recommendations-to-treat-postpartum-hemorrhage

6 Mars 202416min

Ep. 245: Mom Shaming in Online Spaces with Taylor Kulik

Ep. 245: Mom Shaming in Online Spaces with Taylor Kulik

Today's episode is with a guest who is well-versed on mom shaming and bullying in online spaces-- Taylor Kulik, a holistic sleep and parenting educator! Taylor always meets online criticism with kindness and compassion-- a skill that many of us could use some practice with! Join HeHe & Taylor as they chat about how the way you were parented, your inner dialogue and your past traumas impact the way you respond and show up in online spaces! We also dive into how to protect your mental health and set boundaries when in mom groups on social media!   Connect with Taylor on IG     Connect with HeHe on IG   Join HeHe's FREE CLASS that shares How to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce Tearing in Labor here!    Grab your copy of HeHe's Newborn Sleep Solutions Guide -- a guide to better sleep in the first 8-16 weeks after birth!

28 Feb 20241h 14min

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