By Lori Morris, CNM, certified nurse-midwife and women's health coach

Before you say yes to any new drug, vaccine, or treatment in pregnancy, ask six questions: Has this been studied in pregnant women? Do I need it? Who profits from it? Is there a safer way, including doing nothing? Have I talked to God about it? And could better nourishment be the answer? Pregnant women have historically been kept out of drug trials to protect their babies, so "approved" doesn't mean "proven safe in pregnancy."

Historically, pregnant women have been excluded from clinical trials of new drugs, and rightfully so. Exposing an unborn baby to unnecessary danger raises huge ethical concerns.

Now, in a time when there's so little respect for unborn life, there's a push to test new drugs on pregnant women. And stories keep coming out that show why we should be very hesitant to jump on these bandwagons.

Many of you have heard of thalidomide. It was a drug from the 1950s given to pregnant women for nausea. Over time, it was discovered that it caused babies to be born with malformed limbs and other birth defects.

Just because something becomes popular doesn't mean it's safe. It often takes years before the full effects show up.

Today, pregnant women are routinely given the Tdap vaccine in every pregnancy, even though it's typically recommended only every 10 years otherwise. Tdap contains aluminum, a metal with cumulative effects that I'm concerned about injecting, especially in pregnancy, to prevent a rare condition like whooping cough.

With the COVID-19 vaccine, I believe the Pfizer documents showed that known risks existed early on. Organizations still pushed it hard, even paying trusted groups millions to encourage pregnant women to take it.

Pregnant women keep being treated like test subjects, and that ethical disregard for mothers and babies is troubling. So how do you navigate it?

Every drug that's been sold as "FDA-approved" and safe came with that same promise, and countless have later been shown to cause harm. We can't blindly trust organizations driven by money and power. If you feel doubt, let that be your sign to pause.

Mama, deep down, the instinct God gave you often already knows what's right. Trust Him. Stand firm, even when it isn't popular. That's how you avoid becoming a statistic.

Are medications and vaccines tested on pregnant women?
Usually not. Pregnant women have historically been excluded from drug trials because of the risk to the baby, so most drugs and vaccines haven't been well studied in pregnancy.

Does Tdap in pregnancy contain aluminum?
Yes. Tdap vaccines contain aluminum as an adjuvant. It's now given in every pregnancy, even though outside pregnancy it's usually recommended only every 10 years.

Can I say no to a medication or vaccine in pregnancy?
Yes. You have the right to informed consent, which includes the right to decline. Ask questions, weigh the risks, pray about it, and decide what's best for you and your baby.

If you're pregnant and want help weighing a recommendation you've been given, my Prenatal Case Review is a one-time call to go over your records and options together. You'll also find coaching options on my Menu of Services, and you can email me at lori@morriswellnessservices.com. For more on your rights, read How to Give Informed Consent and Protect Your Birth.

You can listen to the full episode of If Mama Ain't Healthy (Ain't Nobody Healthy) at the top of this page.