We talk frankly about why medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding feel frightening, even though most women take something during pregnancy and many treatments are genuinely safe. We break down why the evidence is often patchy, how to think about benefit versus risk, and where to find clear information you can trust.

• British Pharmacological Society statement and the scale of medicine use in pregnancy
• why pregnant and breastfeeding women are often excluded from trials
• how the BNF language can feel alarming and unhelpful
• benefit versus risk and why untreated illness can be the bigger danger
• common prescriptions in pregnancy such as antibiotics for UTIs, anti sickness drugs and reflux medicines
• how pregnancy physiology can change dosing and drug clearance
• women’s anxiety when advice is unclear or conflicting
• practical resources: BUMPS for patients and UKTIS for health professionals
• why considering research participation can improve care for future women

Want to know more:

https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/

https://uktis.org/

https://www.bps.ac.uk/fileadmin/uploads/bps/Policy_statements/BPS_Position_Statement-_Medications_in_Pregnancy_and_Breastfeeding__1_.pdf

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/2/e004365

If you have, it'd be fantastic if you could subscribe, rate and review on whatever platform you find your podcasts, as well as recommending the Obspod to anyone you think might find it interesting. If you want to get in touch to suggest topics for future episodes, you can find me at the Obspod on Instagram, and you can email me atobspod at gmail.com. If you've enjoyed my episodes and by chance you do have a tiny bit to spare, you can now contribute to keep the podcast going and keep it free via my link to buy me a coffee. Don't feel under any obligation. But if you'd like to contribute, you now can.

Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend my podcast on your podcast provider.
If you have found my ideas helpful whilst expecting your baby or working in maternity care please spread the word & help theobspod reach other parents or staff who may be interested in exploring all things pregnancy and birth.
Keeping my podcast running without ads or sponsorship is important to me. I want to keep it free and accessible to all but it costs me a small amount each month to maintain and keep the episodes live, if you wish to contribute anything to support theobspod please head over to my buy me a coffee page https://bmc.link/theobspodV any donation very gratefully received however small.
Its easy to explore my back catalogue of episodes, I have a wide range of topics that may help you make decisions for yourself and your baby during pregnancy as well as some more reflective episodes on life as a doctor.
If you want to get in touch to suggest topics, I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. You can find out more about me on Twitter @FWmaternity & @TheObsPod as well as Instagram @TheObsPod and email me on TheObsPod@gmail.com Please also check out #MatExp matexp.org.uk for ideas about how...

We explore what low amniotic fluid really means at different stages of pregnancy and when to act, when to watch, and how to personalise decisions. We share why routine induction for isolated low fluid may not improve outcomes and how to navigate monitoring, growth checks, and timing of birth.

• defining oligohydramnios and anhydramnios
• how gestation changes risk
• ruling out ruptured membranes with history and tests
• expert scans, infections, and maternal factors
• why fluid matters for lung development
• isolated low fluid late in pregnancy
• induction evidence and unplanned caesarean risk
• growth surveillance and timing around due date
• continuous heartbeat monitoring considerations
• practical reassurance and shared decision-making

Want to know more:

https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tog.70021

Subscribe, rate, and review on your podcast app. Recommend The ObsPod to anyone who might find it interesting. Find the programme notes for links. Contact us on Twitter and Instagram @theObspod or email theObspod@gmail.com. If you can, support the show via Buy Me A Coffee.

Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend my podcast on your podcast provider.
If you have found my ideas helpful whilst expecting your baby or working in maternity care please spread the word & help theobspod reach other parents or staff who may be interested in exploring all things pregnancy and birth.
Keeping my podcast running without ads or sponsorship is important to me. I want to keep it free and accessible to all but it costs me a small amount each month to maintain and keep the episodes live, if you wish to contribute anything to support theobspod please head over to my buy me a coffee page https://bmc.link/theobspodV any donation very gratefully received however small.
Its easy to explore my back catalogue of episodes, I have a wide range of topics that may help you make decisions for yourself and your baby during pregnancy as well as some more reflective episodes on life as a doctor.
If you want to get in touch to suggest topics, I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. You can find out more about me on Twitter @FWmaternity & @TheObsPod as well as Instagram @TheObsPod and email me on TheObsPod@gmail.com Please also check out #MatExp matexp.org.uk for ideas about how...

We unpack polyhydramnios with clear guidance on measurement, risk, and choices, showing why most mild cases near term are benign while outlining when to call in fetal medicine. Practical steps help parents and midwives stay calm, plan safely, and avoid unnecessary interventions.

• definitions of polyhydramnios by single deepest pool and AFI
• pros and cons of SDP versus AFI measurement
• thresholds for mild, moderate, severe excess fluid
• idiopathic cases late in pregnancy and prevalence
• screening for gestational diabetes and infection
• key risks: unstable lie, cord prolapse, postpartum haemorrhage
• induction debates, continuous monitoring, and individualised plans
• when to refer to fetal medicine and what they assess
• amnioreduction indications, risks, and diagnostic value
• reassurance for parents and guidance for midwives

If you have, it’d be fantastic if you could subscribe, rate and review on whatever platform you find your podcasts, as well as recommending The OBSPod to anyone you think might find it interesting

Want to know more:

https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tog.70021

Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend my podcast on your podcast provider.
If you have found my ideas helpful whilst expecting your baby or working in maternity care please spread the word & help theobspod reach other parents or staff who may be interested in exploring all things pregnancy and birth.
Keeping my podcast running without ads or sponsorship is important to me. I want to keep it free and accessible to all but it costs me a small amount each month to maintain and keep the episodes live, if you wish to contribute anything to support theobspod please head over to my buy me a coffee page https://bmc.link/theobspodV any donation very gratefully received however small.
Its easy to explore my back catalogue of episodes, I have a wide range of topics that may help you make decisions for yourself and your baby during pregnancy as well as some more reflective episodes on life as a doctor.
If you want to get in touch to suggest topics, I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. You can find out more about me on Twitter @FWmaternity & @TheObsPod as well as Instagram @TheObsPod and email me on TheObsPod@gmail.com Please also check out #MatExp matexp.org.uk for ideas about how...