Perception of pregnant Japanese women regarding the teratogenic risk of medication exposure during pregnancy and the effect of counseling through the Japan drug information institute in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: To confirm the current state of Japanese women's perception of the teratogenic risk of medication exposure during pregnancy, and to assess the effect of counseling by Japan Drug Information Institute in Pregnancy.

Methods: We used VAS to monitor the sentiments of pregnant women, before and after face-to-face counseling, about their own teratogenic risk perception, and their intention to continue pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes were investigated by mailed questionnaires.

Results: Among 681 pregnant women, the median estimation of the risk of having a baby with a birth defect was 33.0% (interquartile range 16.0-50.0%) prior to counseling and 5.0% after counseling (2.0-11.0%). The median intention to continue pregnancy increased from 86.0% to 100.0% after counseling. The actual outcome survey revealed that almost all participants (97.1%) continued their pregnancies.

Conclusions: Pregnant women tend to overestimate the fetal risks of medication exposure during pregnancy. Counseling would prevent unnecessary termination.

Keywords: Counseling; Japan; Medication; Pregnancy; Teratogenic risk perception; Teratology information service; Visual analog scale.