The Truth About Stigma and Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy Featuring Mariah Leach, JD, MS
About IBD
10/15/25
•44m
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Amber and Mariah discuss how women with chronic illnesses cope with advice on medication use in pregnancy—especially in light of the confusion around acetaminophen. Mariah shares her experiences with rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, focusing on changes in medication safety data. They talk about the pressure, stigma, and lack of support for pregnant women, the need for nuanced guidance, and provide resources.
Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD188
This episode sponsored by Fathom Care! Fathom is an AI-powered wellness companion made for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Over 2.4M people in the United States are navigating IBD alone, and Fathom is here to change that. Learn more at: https://fathom.care/
Chapters:
- 00:04 Intro & Guest Introduction
- 01:26 FDA Statement on Acetaminophen & Pregnancy
- 02:55 Concerns About Acetaminophen Guidance
- 04:03 Mariah's RA & Pregnancy Experience
- 07:13 Impact of Medication Decisions
- 07:33 Biologics & Medication Safety
- 09:45 Pressure to Avoid Medications
- 10:05 Balancing Risks: Medication vs. Flare
- 12:06 Stigma & Judgment Around Medication Use
- 13:19 Authority Statements & Social Stigma
- 15:10 "Tough It Out" Mentality
- 17:11 Societal Judgment & Pregnancy Experiences
- 17:53 Infusion Appointments While Pregnant
- 19:09 Sponsor: Fathom Care App
- 20:59 History of Blaming Mothers & Autism
- 22:17 Societal Support & Pregnancy Discrimination
- 24:04 Expectations vs. Realities of Pregnancy
- 25:58 Reframing Autism & Neurodiversity
- 28:15 Resources for Pregnancy & Chronic Illness
- 30:01 Importance of Up-to-Date Data & Planning
- 33:20 Medication Changes & Specialist Involvement
- 34:49 Changing Data & Continuing Education
- 36:25 Mamas Facing Forward: Community & Support
- 38:48 Peer Support & Parenting with Chronic Illness
- 40:08 Mariah's Background & Expertise
- 41:19 Personal Updates & Closing
- 42:42 Final Thoughts & Outro
Concepts discussed on this episode:
- About IBD Podcast Episode 71- I Evaluated What Was Really Important to Me
- Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood — Jessica Grose
- Notice to Physicians on the Use of Acetaminophen During Pregnancy — US FDA
- The IBD Parenthood Project
- Does taking Tylenol during pregnancy cause autism? The evidence says 'no.' — UCHealth
- MotherToBaby, a service of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®)
- PIANO (Pregnancy Inflammatory bowel disease And Neonatal Outcomes) Study
Find Mariah Leach, JD, MS at:
- Web: MamasFacingForward.com
- Instagram: @mamasforward
- Facebook: @mamasfacingforward
- LinkedIn: @mariahzebrowski
Find Amber J Tresca at:
- AboutIBD.com: About IBD
- Verywell Health: Verywell Health
- Facebook: @aboutIBD
- Twitter: @aboutIBD
- Pinterest: @aboutibd
- Instagram: @about_IBD
- YouTube: @AboutIBD
- Threads: @about_ibd
Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
- Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
- Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
- YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
- Web:
Previous Episode
How To Stay Active With IBD Featuring Sean Lochran
October 7, 2025
•37m
Sean Lochran, who lives with IBD and an ileostomy, describes his IBD journey, including complications such as blood clots and adrenal insufficiency. Sean shares advice for staying active on difficult days, including the importance of personalization, hydration, and tracking health data. He debunks misconceptions about exercise with IBD or an ostomy and describes his client-centered approach to fitness coaching, grounded in empathy and lived experience.
Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD187
This episode sponsored by Fathom Care! Fathom is an AI-powered wellness companion made for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Over 2.4M people in the United States are navigating IBD alone, and Fathom is here to change that. Learn more at: https://fathom.care/
Chapters in this episode:
- 00:04 – Introduction and Guest Welcome
- 01:20 – Sean's Diagnosis Journey
- 02:59 – Complications: Adrenal Insufficiency and Prednisone
- 04:08 – Living with Adrenal Insufficiency
- 05:34 – Blood Clots and IBD
- 08:36 – Mental Impact of Complications
- 10:20 – Pre-Diagnosis Fitness and Lifestyle
- 12:29 – Managing Fatigue and Flare-Ups
- 14:23 – Sponsor Message: Fathom Care App
- 16:15 – Coaching Clients: Fatigue vs. Tiredness
- 17:32 – Tracking and Adjusting Fitness Plans
- 18:55 – Practical Tips for Staying Active During Flares
- 23:47 – Weekly Averages and Progress Tracking
- 25:21 – Misconceptions About Fitness and IBD
- 26:50 – What It's Like to Work with Sean
- 30:38 – Learning to Understand Your Body
- 31:45 – Visiting Scotland: Local Recommendations
- 34:27 – How to Connect with Sean
- 36:04 – Closing Remarks and Credits
Find Sean Lochran at:
- Instagram: @seanlochrancoaching
Find Amber J Tresca at:
- AboutIBD.com: About IBD
- Verywell Health: Verywell Health
- Facebook: @aboutIBD
- Twitter: @aboutIBD
- Pinterest: @aboutibd
- Instagram: @about_IBD
- YouTube: @AboutIBD
- Threads: @about_ibd
Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
- Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
- Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
- YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
- Web: Cooney Studio
- Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.
These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Next Episode
Samantha Sauer, BCPA, president of Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatments (G-PACT), uncovers the challenges of living with gastroparesis and how it can overlap with IBD or other conditions. Sam shares her personal journey with gastroparesis and gives insights on symptoms, diagnosis, misconceptions, and the daily impact on patients' lives. Topics include the difficulties in getting the right diagnosis, the emotional toll of dietary restriction, and the importance of support communities. Sam also highlights resources offered by G-PACT, including support groups and educational outreach, while encouraging self-advocacy and perseverance for those seeking answers or support for their condition.
Timestamps on this episode:
- 0:04 – Introduction and Guest Background
- 1:25 – Samantha's Diagnosis Journey
- 4:17 – What is Gastroparesis? Symptoms and Diagnosis
- 7:19 – Misdiagnosis and Overlapping Conditions
- 10:50 – Inflammation and Gastroparesis
- 12:18 – Impact on Daily and Social Life
- 16:22 – Social Challenges and Stigma
- 18:47 – Common Myths and Misconceptions
- 22:00 – Gastroparesis and IBD Overlap
- 24:57 – Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges
- 27:32 – GPACT Resources and Support
- 31:32 – Advice for Suspected Gastroparesis Patients
- 33:09 – How to Connect with GPACT
- 36:18 – Samantha's Treadmill and Movement Routine
- 38:42 – Closing Remarks and Gratitude
More information on the topics discussed:
- Surviving Out of Spite Podcast via YouTube
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Is a Procedure to Examine Your GI Tract via Verywell Health
- Metoclopramide: Treatment for Nausea & Vomiting
- Relationship Between Gastroparesis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A United States Nationwide Sized Database Analysis
- Gastroparesis in patients with inactive Crohn's disease: a case series
- Surviving Out of Spite Podcast
Find Samantha Sauer, BCPA and Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatments (G-PACT) on:
- Web: www.g-pact.org
- Facebook: @GPACT
- Instagram: @4gpact
- YouTube: @GPACT_nonprofit
- LinkedIn: @gpact
Find Amber J Tresca at:
- AboutIBD.com
- Verywell: Verywell Health
- Facebook: @aboutIBD
- Twitter: @aboutIBD
- Pinterest: @aboutibd
- Instagram: @about_IBD
- YouTube: @AboutIBD
- Threads: @about_IBD
Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
- Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
- Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
- Web: Cooney Studio
- YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
- Theme music: IBD Dance Party, © Cooney Studio.
These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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