Our Work

About MotherToBaby

MotherToBaby, a service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), is the nation’s leading authority and most trusted source of evidence-based information on the benefit or risk of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. We specialize in answering questions about the benefit/risk of exposures, such as medications, vaccines, chemicals, herbal products, substances of abuse, maternal health conditions and much more, during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Our no-cost information service is available to women who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, their family members, health professionals, and the general public via chat, text, phone, and email in both English and Spanish.

MotherToBaby is a suggested resource by many agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health. Every year, MotherToBaby services are accessed more than 2 million times. Our one-on-one counseling sessions, fact sheets, blogs, podcasts, and other resources provide essential information about exposures for pregnant and breastfeeding people, as well as healthcare providers.

We also conduct state-of-the-art observational research on the safety of medications and vaccines in pregnancy. 9 out of 10 women who are pregnant in the United States take medication but evidence on the safety of many medications during pregnancy is often lacking. Our observational MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies aim to provide this much-needed information so women who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding and their health providers can make more informed treatment decisions.

Read more about the history, vision, mission, goals, leadership and funding of our parent organization, OTIS.

Our Affiliates

The MotherToBaby network consists of 11 affiliates housed at acclaimed universities and hospitals across the United States and Canada. These affiliates provide the MotherToBaby service to people living in all 50 U.S. states, the U.S. territories, and the province of Quebec in Canada. Our information specialists are available to residents of the United States and its territories. Opportunities to join a study are available to residents of the United States, the U.S. territories, and Canada. 

We encourage you to find your affiliate and to connect with the team that is working to reduce the chance of preventable birth defects in your community.

Annual Report

Learn more about the impact we made educating the public on the benefits and risks of exposures during pregnancy and lactation to improve maternal and child health.