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. 244: SOLO Cast- What to Do with a Freezer Full of (Breast)Milk?

Ep. 244: SOLO Cast- What to Do with a Freezer Full of (Breast)Milk?

I've been recently getting more and more calls from moms who have a freezer full of pumped breastmilk and don't know what to do with it! If that's you, this is a must-listen episode!   Join The Birth Lounge   Connect with HeHe on IG   Data: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33098117/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572138/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7926441/   CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/faq.html#:~:text=Breast%20milk%20can%20be%20stored%20in%20the%20freezer%20(at%200,within%206%20months%20is%20best.   Freeze Dried Breastmilk Companies: https://itsmyleche.com https://milkify.me https://boobyfood.com https://mothership-milk.com/products/freeze-dry-your-breast-milk     Sign up for a 1:1 consult for infant feeding support!

25 Feb 202417min

Ep. 243: What to Know about Mastitis with Lara Proud, RN

Ep. 243: What to Know about Mastitis with Lara Proud, RN

Today's episode is featuring Lara Proud, RN, who is joining HeHe to discuss the signs + symptoms of Mastitis, what professionals can help & what options you have for remedying it! We also dive into preventative measures and what to consider when it comes to antibiotic use with Mastitis!    Lara’s Bio:  Beyond The Bump was started when Lara Proud went on maternity leave with her son in 2018. As a Registered Nurse, Lara was blown away by the lack of local resources for prenatal classes, postpartum support, and didn’t want anyone else to have to struggle like she did with breastfeeding. Beyond The Bump is located on the East Coast of Canada in Fredericton, New Brunswick serving all across Canada virtually and in-person locally. Her biggest goal is to empower parents in their decisions surrounding all things birth and parenting and help them feel prepared and supported along the way!   Connect with Lara 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!   Resources: ACOG: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2021/02/breastfeeding-challenges   Breastfeeding Medicine: https://www.bfmed.org/assets/ABM%20Protocol%20%2336.pdf Le Leche League: https://lllusa.org/mastitis-updated-la-leche-league-usa-resource-page/

21 Feb 202444min

Ep.242: What It Takes to be an Exclusively Pumping Mom with Jacquie Ciccione, RN/CLC

Ep.242: What It Takes to be an Exclusively Pumping Mom with Jacquie Ciccione, RN/CLC

This episode dives into the what it takes to be an exclusively pumping parent-- the mental load, the time, the commitment, all of it! Jacquie Ciccione, RN & CLC, joins HeHe to dive into how to know if you are using the correct flange size, what are common issues that arise when someone exclusively pumps and so much more!    Jacquie's Bio: My name is Jacquie Ciccone.  I am a wife, mom, registered nurse, and certified lactation counselor. After giving birth to my son and having several struggles, I became fascinated with breastfeeding.  I ended up exclusively pumping for a year, so I’m passionate about breast pumps and pumping. I am determined to help close the gap between lactating mothers and breast pumps. I now offer 1:1 pumping consultations to improve their experience and increase the likelihood of success.  I consider pumping a sport and an entirely new set of breastfeeding skills.  I will be offering group counseling for pumping moms starting in July that I’m very excited about! I stay updated with the latest research and advancements in lactation counseling and breast pumps, ensuring I can provide my clients with the most current and evidence-based support.   Join The Birth Lounge!    Links/Tools  Mentioned in episode: Nipple Ruler  https://sarahwellsbags.com/collections/hands-free-pumping-bra https://thedairyfairy.com/ https://www.loveandfit.com/collections/nursing-bras   Connect with Jacquie on IG Work with Jacquie: https://pumpedupmama.com/ Connect with HeHe on IG Work 1:1 with HeHe & The TBH Team on Breastfeeding, formula feeding or bottle feeding

16 Feb 202455min

Ep. 241Choosing the Right Formula for Your Baby with Mallory Whitmore, Bobbi

Ep. 241Choosing the Right Formula for Your Baby with Mallory Whitmore, Bobbi

Anyone else TIRED of the age old debate about baby feeding?! Fed is best?! Breast is best?! In today’s episode, HeHe sits down with Mallory Whitmore, The Formula Mom & Education Lead from Bobbie, a formula company working their tails off to create a product as similar to breastmilk as possible. They’re diving into all the things you need to know to choose the best formula for your baby! Our team is always 100% supportive of our clients' feeding goals and Bobbie is the formula we stand behind. Not only do we dive into the components needed to nourish your baby but we also dive into lactose intolerance…   We also dive into how to use formula in conjunction with breastfeeding.    Mallory's Bio: Mallory is a mom of 2, educator, advocate, and certified infant feeding tech. She's the face behind The Formula Mom, an online platform that helps new parents make informed, confident, and supported infant feeding decisions-- without guilt or shame! She can be found on Instagram @theformulamom or behind the scenes leading education for @Bobbie.   Find Bobbie formula here: https://www.hibobbie.com/   Join The Birth Lounge here! Check out our FREE CLASS >> 6 Ways to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce your Risk of Tearing

14 Feb 202429min

Ep. 240: How to do Hand Expression with Sarah Gregory, IBCLC

Ep. 240: How to do Hand Expression with Sarah Gregory, IBCLC

Have you heard of Hand Expression? Do you know how to do it? It can be a very beneficial skill to have in the first few days after your baby is born to collect colostrum (or even before labor to harvest colostrum to take with you to the hospital— ask your provider more details about this)!Knowing how to properly hand express is a very handy skill to have with you when you need it! Join Sarah Gregory, IBCLC, and HeHe on todays episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast!    Connect with Sarah on IG    Connect with HeHe on IG    Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com

9 Feb 202435min

Ep. 239: Colostrum IS milk! with Gina Motsay, IBCLC

Ep. 239: Colostrum IS milk! with Gina Motsay, IBCLC

Gina Mostly, IBCLC, joins HeHe to chat about colostrum harvesting, why telling someone their milk needs to ‘come in’ is bad advice and how to properly support your newborns feeding goals while you’re still in the hospital after birth! We also dive into how to hand express and the tools that can make that easier! Gina explains how your body begins prepping to feed your baby in the second trimester, but sometimes hospital policies or things that happen in birth can disrupt this bodily process + what to do about it if your goal is to nurse your baby! She also shares tips for you to take with you to the hospital and begin building a strong breastmilk supply from day 1!   Gina's bio: Gina is an IBCLC, Mother of 5 (including twins), prior military and current mil-spouse. My main areas of focus in lactation are prenatal education, TOTs, oral rehabilitation and pumping aside from breastfeeding basics! Connect with Gina on IG     Join The Birth Lounge!   Join the Dad Daze Course!     Resources: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/breastfeeding/colostrum-is-superfood-for-your-newborn/

8 Feb 202445min

238: Benefits of Private Lactation Support vs Hospital Based Lactation Support

238: Benefits of Private Lactation Support vs Hospital Based Lactation Support

In today’s episode, HeHe sits down with Lo Nigrosh, an IBCLC, to dive into what you need to know about hospital provided lactation support vs private lactation support! Lo is breaking down how to hire an IBCLC, why you may want to explore this option *before* your baby gets here, what to do if you are getting conflicting lactation advice and how hospital culture impacts the care you may be given in the hospital. We also dive into how your nurses own lactation and feeding journey with their baby impacts their lactation support they give to you!    Guest Bio: Lo Nigrosh lives in Athol, Ma in a log cabin on 5 acres with her husband Max, 2 children, 1 dog and 2 cats. It was her own intense struggle to breastfeed her oldest that led her to birth and lactation work, but it was listening to the struggles of so many others that has kept her here. As an IBCLC she focuses on helping each client feel proud of every ounce they make, and to recognize each hurdle they unfairly faced. The Milk Making Minutes Podcast explores baby feeding struggles and triumphs through the lens of systemic medical and cultural barriers so that you understands that your body did not fail and your successes really are the miracles you felt they were.   Connect with Lo in IG https://www.instagram.com/lonigrosh_ibclc_podcast_host/   Join The Birth Lounge!  https://www.thebirthlounge.com     In-Person Childbirth Education, Boston MA: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/cbe-baby-booty

5 Feb 202457min

Ep. 237: Q+A with HeHe

Ep. 237: Q+A with HeHe

In this episode, HeHe answers some questions from our listeners! Tune in to hear HeHe’s advice on breastfeeding while pregnant, induction, dissecting your previous birth, anemia, iron infusions and supplements, VBAC, TOLAC, and and using breastmilk as a remedy for Pink Eye!    Below are the questions HeHe answered AND the resources mentioned!:    2:59 - “I’m two days past my due date with my second child. My first was induced at 42 weeks and it led to a c-section.  I’m being urged to induce at 41 weeks now and I’d love your thoughts on this.”   Grab the Induction Cheat sheet HeHe mentioned here:  https://www.thebirthlounge.com/induction 1:1 consult: https://stan.store/TranquilityByHeHe/p/book-your-11-call-with-me-6uk9a   8:31 - “What do you think about an Iron infusion? Levels have dropped a bit and the midwife practice recommended one but I’m not sure of the pros and cons.”   14:35 - Breastfeeding and Getting Pregnant: “Do you have any content on getting pregnant while breastfeeding? I am breastfeeding my toddler and don’t have a period but I want to start trying. I also don’t want to wean.”   15:53 - Check out episode 229 with Jessie Brebner all about Tracking Your Fertility Using Cervical Mucus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baWmrqzyvvM&feature=youtu.be   16:04 - For more about Fertility Awareness Method check out episode 230 with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: https://youtu.be/W580-E2HYC8?si=LqUIrt52eDNFfNPa   18:01 - using breastmilk for pink eye  American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend breastmilk as a remedy.   19:20- check out our episode about donor milk with Sterling Grey-Simmons here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eExkweNQg8M   21:21 - Failed induction: “I had a failed induction. I was dilated to four centimeters for four days until I just gave up and got a C-section. I’m very sad about it and am wondering what are some things that I could have done differently. I was induced because my baby was measuring too big at 37 weeks. My baby was born at 7lb 14oz and I’m actually still mourning the birth that I wasted and I got everything I didn’t want. Also, the Pitocin was already on 30.”   Grab the pitocin cheat sheet here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin   29:47 - VBAC: “I’m looking for information about VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean) with induction. First baby was a c-section and they were breech. I couldn’t find a provider who would attend a vaginal delivery. [My] provider is vbac supportive but will not let me go past 40 weeks due to my age of 39. I’m worried about induction and the chance of an “emergency c-section” and overall safety of TOLAC with induction. Thanks”  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: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/   VBAC:  https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-113-the-evidence-on-vbac/  https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijgo.14159   Iron: Desiccated Liver Supplement that HeHe takes https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-intravenous-iron-supplementation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7173188/ https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-020-03363-3 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2786031 https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2021/08/anemia-in-pregnancy   ACOG video: https://www.acog.org/education-and-events/webinars/district-ix-iron-deficiency-anemia-in-pregnancy   Ovulation Prediction Kits   Breastmilk as remedy for Pink Eye: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33098117/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572138/   Join The Birth Lounge   Induction Freebie Pitocin Freebie     VBAC:  https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-113-the-evidence-on-vbac/  https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijgo.14159   Iron: Desiccated Liver Supplement that HeHe takes https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-intravenous-iron-supplementation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7173188/ https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-020-03363-3 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2786031 https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2021/08/anemia-in-pregnancy ACOG video: https://www.acog.org/education-and-events/webinars/district-ix-iron-deficiency-anemia-in-pregnancy   Ovulation Prediction Kits   Breastmilk as remedy for Pink Eye: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33098117/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572138/

31 Jan 202440min

Populärt inom Utbildning

rss-bara-en-till-om-missbruk-medberoende-2
historiepodden-se
det-skaver
nu-blir-det-historia
johannes-hansen-podcast
alska-oss
sektledare
allt-du-velat-veta
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
not-fanny-anymore
roda-vita-rosen
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
i-vantan-pa-katastrofen
sa-in-i-sjalen
rss-max-tant-med-max-villman
rss-makabert
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet
dumforklarat
polisutbildningspodden
vi-gar-till-historien