What UK clinical guidance says
The Wegovy Summary of Product Characteristics (the formal MHRA-approved prescribing document) section 4.6 states that semaglutide shouldn’t be used during pregnancy, and that if a patient wishes to become pregnant, semaglutide should be stopped at least two months before a planned pregnancy due to the long half-life.1
In June 2025, the MHRA reinforced this in a public safety update, advising that GLP-1 medicines (a class of weight management and diabetes medications that includes Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic) must not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding.4
The accompanying GOV.UK patient page, last updated in February 2026, sets out the washout periods clearly: semaglutide-based medications need at least two months, tirzepatide (Mounjaro) needs at least one month, and liraglutide can be stopped just before trying because it leaves the body much more quickly.5
The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service guidance for healthcare professionals takes the same position, citing the lack of human safety data.3
The UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS), which advises clinicians on medication use during pregnancy, adds that GLP-1 medication at any stage in pregnancy is not, on its own, a reason to consider ending the pregnancy or to add extra scans or tests beyond your standard antenatal care.2
What the evidence says about semaglutide and pregnancy
The reason Wegovy isn’t recommended in pregnancy comes down to two factors.
Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity, and there isn’t enough data from pregnant humans to establish safety either way.1
Animal studies
The Wegovy SmPC reports that in pregnant rats given semaglutide, the developing pups showed signs of harm at doses lower than those used to treat obesity in humans.1
The dose at which harm appeared in rats was lower than the dose used in humans for weight management.
A 2025 narrative review by Varughese and colleagues describes the broader animal-data picture for GLP-1 receptor agonists: decreased fetal weight, delayed bone formation, skeletal variants, and visceral abnormalities in animals exposed during gestation.6
Many of these effects occurred at doses that also caused maternal weight loss, which makes interpretation harder but doesn’t remove the regulatory concern.
Human pregnancy data
Pregnant women are routinely excluded from initial clinical trials of new medications.
Most human data on semaglutide in pregnancy therefore comes from inadvertent exposures captured in regulatory or observational research.
There are three recent publications that are worth higlighting.
The first is a 2025 analysis by Parker and colleagues in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, which reviewed regulatory clinical trial data across all licensed GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Across 32,598 women in the development programmes, 164 unplanned pregnancies were recorded.
Forty-one involved semaglutide exposure, with reported outcomes including 22 healthy children, six spontaneous abortions, seven elective terminations, two lost to follow-up, one congenital abnormality, one ectopic pregnancy, and one ongoing pregnancy.7
The second is a 2024 prospective cohort study by Dao and colleagues in BMJ Open, drawing on six European teratology information services.
It compared 168 first-trimester GLP-1 exposures with 156 pregnancies in women with diabetes and 163 in women with a BMI above 27 and no GLP-1 exposure.
In the GLP-1 group, 2.6% of babies were born with a major birth defect.
That rate was no higher than in the comparison groups: women with diabetes taking other medications, and women with obesity not taking a GLP-1.
The differences between groups were small enough that they could easily have happened by chance.8
The third is a 2024 cohort study by Cesta and colleagues in JAMA Internal Medicine, which used Nordic, Israeli, and US registries to examine 938 pregnancies with periconceptional GLP-1 receptor agonist exposure.
Compared with insulin, GLP-1 use during pregnancy didn’t increase the risk of major birth or heart defects.9
The conclusion across all three studies is the same. Existing evidence doesn’t suggest semaglutide poses a risk of birth defects after early inadvertent exposure, but that’s a different statement from saying it’s safe to use during pregnancy.
Sample sizes remain limited, most exposures captured in the data were confined to early pregnancy, and semaglutide is still not recommended for women who pregnant.
Thus, taking Wegovy before you knew you were pregnant is currently regarded as low-risk by UKTIS.
But, continuing to take it after pregnancy is confirmed is different, and the SmPC says semaglutide shouldn’t be used.1,2
Stopping Wegovy before trying to conceive
Semaglutide has a half-life of around one week, considerably longer than most other GLP-1 medications.1
It takes around five half-lives for a medication to clear from the body, which is where the two-month washout figure comes from.
Practically, this means:
- Speak to your prescriber as early as possible if you’re planning a pregnancy
- Stop Wegovy at least two months (eight weeks) before you start trying to conceive
- Semaglutide doesn’t need to be tapered. You can stop at the next scheduled dose.
- If you have type 2 diabetes, your prescriber will discuss alternative blood sugar management before, during, and after pregnancy. Metformin and insulin are the standard options in pregnancy
- Most women planning pregnancy are advised to take folic acid before conception. The standard NHS recommendation is 400 micrograms daily, with a higher 5 mg daily dose if you have diabetes, are taking certain medications, or have other risk factors. Your GP can confirm what’s right for you.
Weight regain after stopping
One thing to plan for is the likelihood of regaining some weight after stopping the medication.
The STEP 1 trial extension followed participants for a year after semaglutide was withdrawn and found that, on average, around two-thirds of the weight lost was regained.10
Higher pre-conception weight is associated with increased pregnancy risks, including gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and macrosomia.11
The implication isn’t that you should delay coming off the medication, but that you should plan support for weight maintenance during the eight-week washout and the months of trying to conceive.
That might be a structured nutrition and habit-change programme, support from your GP, or referral to NHS specialist weight management services if you’re eligible.
Wegovy and contraception
This is one area where Wegovy differs notably from Mounjaro. The Wegovy SmPC states that semaglutide isn’t anticipated to decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, because semaglutide didn’t change overall exposure of ethinylestradiol or levonorgestrel to a clinically relevant degree.1
The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) confirms this position, contrasting it with tirzepatide, which does reduce oral contraceptive exposure and requires additional contraceptive precautions.3,5
If you experience vomiting within three hours of taking your contraceptive pill, or diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours, the standard ‘missed pill’ guidance applies. You may need to take an additional dose or use a barrier method until your next normal cycle.
If you’d prefer not to think about this at all, a long-acting reversible contraceptive (the implant, intrauterine device or coil, or contraceptive injection) bypasses the gut entirely and isn’t affected by Wegovy in any scenario.
The MHRA still recommends that all women of childbearing potential use reliable contraception while taking Wegovy. The aim is to prevent inadvertent exposure during the first trimester.1,4
What to do if you get pregnant while taking Wegovy
If you discover you’re pregnant while taking Wegovy:
- Stop the medication. Don’t take any more doses.
- Contact your prescriber, GP, or midwife as soon as possible. They can advise based on your specific circumstances (existing diabetes, dose history, other medications).
- Your healthcare team may submit a report to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme, which helps regulators track real-world pregnancy outcomes after GLP-1 exposure
- You don’t need to taper the dose. Semaglutide can be stopped immediately
Antenatal care continues as normal. UKTIS specifically advises that an inadvertent GLP-1 exposure isn’t a reason to recommend additional fetal monitoring or to consider termination on medical grounds.2
You can expect your standard 12-week dating scan and 20-week anomaly scan. Your antenatal team will discuss whether anything else is needed based on your wider clinical picture.
Because semaglutide stays in the body for around two months after the last dose, fetal exposure may continue for several weeks after you stop. This is one of the reasons UK guidance is to stop as soon as pregnancy is confirmed, and to use reliable contraception during treatment.
Wegovy and breastfeeding
The Wegovy SmPC says semaglutide shouldn’t be used while breastfeeding.
In lactating rats, semaglutide was excreted in milk. A risk to a breastfed child can’t be excluded, and semaglutide shouldn’t be used during breastfeeding.1 This aligns with the MHRA’s general public guidance, which advises that GLP-1 medicines including Wegovy shouldn’t be taken during breastfeeding due to a lack of human safety data.5
The Mounjaro SmPC says tirzepatide could be considered for use during breastfeeding, based on a small study that measured how much passed into breast milk in 11 women. No equivalent study has been done for semaglutide.
The recommendation from the Wegovy SmPC and the MHRA’s general guidance is consistent: don’t use Wegovy while breastfeeding.
Restarting Wegovy after pregnancy
There’s no single rule about when to restart Wegovy after pregnancy.
The decision sits with your prescriber and depends on whether you’re breastfeeding, your postpartum recovery, and your wider clinical picture.
A few practical points:
- Wegovy shouldn’t be used during breastfeeding, so weaning is the recommended sequence before resuming the medication
- If you’re not breastfeeding, your prescriber may consider restarting Wegovy once your postpartum recovery is established. There’s no fixed minimum interval, but allowing time for healing, sleep recovery, and re-establishing eating patterns is usually sensible.
- NHS specialist weight management services apply the same eligibility criteria as before pregnancy. Having been pregnant doesn’t change whether you qualify.
- If you’re considering restarting, raise it at your six-to-eight-week postnatal check or schedule a separate appointment with your GP
Postpartum weight management can feel pressured, particularly when sleep is disrupted and routines are still finding shape. The medication can be part of a longer-term plan, but it isn’t urgent in the early weeks.
Fertility, PCOS, and IVF on Wegovy
The Wegovy SmPC states that the effect of semaglutide on human fertility is unknown. Animal studies in rats found that semaglutide didn’t affect male fertility.
In female rats, an increase in oestrous cycle length and a small reduction in the number of ovulations were observed at doses associated with maternal weight loss.1
In humans, the practical picture is different. For women with overweight or obesity, weight loss often improves fertility indirectly.
Reducing body weight can lower insulin resistance and androgen levels, restore more regular menstrual cycles, and support more reliable ovulation.6 This is particularly relevant for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where insulin resistance and elevated androgens are central drivers of fertility problems.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis by Goldberg and colleagues, which informed the 2023 international evidence-based guideline on PCOS, found that semaglutide and liraglutide were superior to placebo for improving body weight outcomes in women with PCOS.12
Wegovy isn’t licensed in the UK for fertility, PCOS, or pre-conception weight loss.
The MHRA-approved indication is weight management in adults meeting specific BMI criteria.
If you have PCOS and are considering Wegovy, your prescriber will assess whether you meet the standard eligibility criteria, with PCOS as additional clinical context rather than the indication itself.
If you’re starting an IVF cycle or other assisted conception treatment, Wegovy should be stopped at least two months before the cycle begins, in line with the standard pre-conception advice.1
Many fertility clinics will ask about GLP-1 use during the initial consultation, so flag it early.
Wegovy vs Mounjaro in pregnancy
If you’re comparing the two main GLP-1 weight loss medications and pregnancy is a consideration, the table below summarises the key differences.
| Consideration |
Wegovy (semaglutide) |
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) |
| Stop before trying to conceive |
At least 2 months |
At least 1 month |
| Effect on the contraceptive pill |
No clinically significant effect on oral contraceptive absorption. Standard ‘missed pill’ guidance still applies if vomiting or diarrhoea occur |
Reduces oral contraceptive absorption. Add a barrier method or switch to non-oral for 4 weeks after starting and after each dose increase |
| Breastfeeding |
SmPC states semaglutide should not be used during breastfeeding. A risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded |
Updated UK SmPC states tirzepatide could be considered for use during breastfeeding, based on a study showing undetectable to very low levels in breast milk. GOV.UK general guidance still advises against |
| Use in pregnancy |
Not recommended |
Not recommended |
For a full breakdown of how Mounjaro is approached in pregnancy, see our companion guide on
Mounjaro in pregnancy.
When to speak to your GP
Contact your GP, prescriber, or midwife if:
- You’re planning to try for a baby and want to come off Wegovy safely
- You think you might be pregnant while taking Wegovy
- You’ve missed a period and aren’t sure if it’s due to weight loss or pregnancy
- You’re vomiting within three hours of your contraceptive pill, or have diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours
- You’re undergoing or planning IVF or other assisted conception
- You’re breastfeeding and want to discuss when you might be able to restart Wegovy after weaning
- You’re managing your weight before pregnancy and want a plan that doesn’t rely on GLP-1 medication
Frequently asked questions
How long should I be off Wegovy before trying to get pregnant?
The MHRA and the Wegovy SmPC recommend stopping at least two months before trying to conceive.1,5 This allows time for semaglutide, which has a one-week half-life, to clear from your system.
If you’re planning a precise conception window, your prescriber can help you map out the timing alongside any other preparations like folic acid supplementation.
I just found out I’m pregnant and I’ve been taking Wegovy. What should I do?
Stop taking Wegovy immediately and contact your prescriber, GP, or midwife as soon as you can.
UKTIS guidance is that an inadvertent GLP-1 exposure isn’t a reason for additional fetal monitoring or termination on medical grounds.2
Early antenatal contact lets your team plan care that suits your situation.
Will Wegovy have harmed my baby if I was taking it before I knew I was pregnant?
The available human evidence to date doesn’t suggest that inadvertent first-trimester exposure to semaglutide increases the risk of birth defects.7,8,9
The 2024 Dao study of 168 first-trimester GLP-1 exposures and the 2024 Cesta study of 938 periconceptional GLP-1 exposures both found no significant increase in major birth defects.
Can I breastfeed while taking Wegovy?
No. The Wegovy SmPC and the MHRA’s public guidance are aligned on this point: semaglutide shouldn’t be used during breastfeeding, because a risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded.1,5
If you wish to restart Wegovy after pregnancy, the recommended sequence is to wean first, then resume the medication.
Does Wegovy affect my contraceptive pill?
No, semaglutide doesn’t reduce the absorption of oral contraceptives in a clinically relevant way.1,3 This is different from Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which does reduce oral contraceptive absorption and requires additional precautions.
The standard caveat applies: if you have vomiting or diarrhoea from Wegovy, follow your usual ‘missed pill’ guidance.
Can Wegovy improve fertility if I have PCOS?
Weight loss in women with PCOS can improve insulin sensitivity, lower androgens, and restore more regular ovulation.12
Wegovy can support that weight loss, which may indirectly improve fertility.
It’s not, however, licensed as a fertility treatment, and you’d need to stop the medication at least two months before trying to conceive.
Should I stop Wegovy for IVF?
Yes. Wegovy should be stopped at least two months before an IVF cycle begins.1
Many fertility clinics will ask about GLP-1 use during initial consultations.
Flag it early so your fertility team can plan timing alongside your prescriber.
Will my prescriber report my pregnancy to the MHRA?
Your healthcare team may submit a report to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme, which collects data on pregnancy outcomes after exposure to GLP-1 medicines. This is anonymous and contributes to the long-term evidence base on these medications in pregnancy.
You can also report to the Yellow Card Scheme yourself if you’d prefer to.
Can my partner take Wegovy while we’re trying for a baby?
There’s no current evidence that paternal exposure to semaglutide affects pregnancy outcomes.
Animal studies in male rats did not show effects on fertility.1
Most clinical guidance focuses on maternal exposure.
If you have concerns about a partner’s use, raising it with the prescriber is the right step.
How soon after giving birth can I restart Wegovy?
There’;s no fixed minimum interval. If you’re breastfeeding, weaning comes first.
If you’re not breastfeeding, your prescriber may consider restarting once your postpartum recovery is established.
Discussing this at your six-to-eight-week postnatal check is a sensible starting point.
Can I get an NHS prescription for Wegovy after pregnancy?
Wegovy is available through NHS specialist weight management services for adults meeting specific eligibility criteria.13
Eligibility doesn’t change because of having been pregnant. It’s based on the same BMI and clinical criteria as for anyone else. Your GP can refer you to an appropriate service.
Take home message
Wegovy shouldn’t be used during pregnancy. The UK clinical guidance is clear: stop the medication at least two months before trying to conceive, use reliable contraception while taking it, and contact your prescriber if you become pregnant unexpectedly.
The available evidence on inadvertent first-trimester exposure is reassuring across three independent studies, and UKTIS doesn’t consider it a reason for additional monitoring or termination.
On breastfeeding, both the SmPC and the MHRA agree that Wegovy shouldn’t be used.
If you’re planning a family or thinking about coming off Wegovy, that conversation is best had early with your prescriber so you have time to plan weight maintenance, blood sugar control where relevant, and contraception alongside the transition.
At Second Nature, we support members at every stage of taking GLP-1 medications, including coming off the medication and maintaining weight afterwards.
Our programme combines evidence-based nutrition built around the balanced plate model (half vegetables, quarter protein, quarter complex carbohydrates, plus a serving of fat) with habit-change coaching and ongoing clinical oversight.
Our published outcomes, in a 2025 JMIR Formative Research study, show an average 19.1% body weight loss at 12 months among active subscribers, with 77.7% achieving at least 10% weight loss.14
Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes
Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you're eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We've had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro and Wegovy) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We're here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK's most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
References
- Electronic Medicines Compendium. (2026). Wegovy 2.4 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Summary of Product Characteristics.
- UK Teratology Information Service. (2025). Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in pregnancy.
- NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service. (2025). Considerations and interactions with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (2025). Women on ‘skinny jabs’ must use effective contraception, MHRA urges in latest guidance. GOV.UK.
- Department of Health and Social Care. (2026). GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know. GOV.UK.
- Varughese, M.S., O’Mahony, F., and Varadhan, L. (2025). GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy and pregnancy: Evolving and emerging evidence. Clinical Medicine, 25(2), 100298.
- Parker, C.H., Slattery, C., Brennan, D.J., and le Roux, C.W. (2025). Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists’ use during pregnancy: Safety data from regulatory clinical trials. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 27(8), 4102-4108.
- Dao, K., Shechtman, S., Weber-Schoendorfer, C., et al. (2024). Use of GLP1 receptor agonists in early pregnancy and reproductive safety: a multicentre, observational, prospective cohort study based on the databases of six Teratology Information Services. BMJ Open, 14(4), e083550.
- Cesta, C.E., Rotem, R., Bateman, B.T., et al. (2024). Safety of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Other Second-Line Antidiabetics in Early Pregnancy. JAMA Internal Medicine, 184(2), 144-152.
- Wilding, J.P.H., Batterham, R.L., Davies, M., et al. (2022). Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 24(8), 1553-1564.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2010). Weight management before, during and after pregnancy. Public Health Guideline PH27.
- Goldberg, A., Graca, S., Liu, J., et al. (2024). Anti-obesity pharmacological agents for polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis to inform the 2023 international evidence-based guideline. Obesity Reviews, 25(5), e13704.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2023). Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity. Technology Appraisal TA875.
- Richards, R., Whitman, M., Wren, G., and Campion, P. (2025). A Remotely Delivered GLP-1RA-Supported Specialist Weight Management Program in Adults Living With Obesity: Retrospective Service Evaluation. JMIR Formative Research, 9, e72577.
