Pain Medication Use During Pregnancy Panel | Clinical & Research Perspectives | MPRINT 2026 | Day 4

Examining the Current Understanding of Pain Medication Use During Pregnancy from Clinical and Research Perspectives Moderators Megan Shuey, PhD Research Assistant Professor Clinical Pharmacology and Genetics Center for Precision Medicine Vanderbilt University Medical Center Sudeep Sunthankar, MD, MSCI Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Cardiology Vanderbilt University Medical Center Panelists Luke A. Gatta, MD Assistant Professor in Obstetrics & Gynecology Vanderbilt University Medical Center Jeff Reese, MD Professor of Pediatrics, Neonatology Mildred T. Stahlman Chair in Perinatal Research, Neonatology Vanderbilt University Medical Center Jennifer L. Herington, PhD Associate Professor Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics Department of Pharmacology Vanderbilt University Recorded 4/16/2026 at the 2026 MPRINT Annual Meeting. Following presentations on clinical pain management during pregnancy, NSAID effects on the fetal ductus arteriosus, and emerging targeted drug delivery strategies for preterm labor, this panel discussion examines the current state of knowledge regarding pain medication use during pregnancy from both clinical and research perspectives. The panelists discuss challenges clinicians face when balancing maternal symptom control with fetal safety considerations. Topics include the use of commonly prescribed analgesics, interpretation of observational safety data, physiologic changes during pregnancy that affect drug response, and the limitations of existing evidence available to guide treatment decisions. The discussion also explores emerging translational research related to fetal drug exposure, prostaglandin signaling, ductus arteriosus biology, targeted therapeutic delivery systems, and strategies for improving maternal-fetal outcomes. Panelists address how advances in pharmacology, developmental biology, and drug delivery technologies may help address longstanding gaps in maternal therapeutics research. Audience questions focus on clinical decision-making, medication risk communication, management of chronic pain conditions during pregnancy, and priorities for future research. The session highlights the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to improve evidence generation and support safer, more effective treatment approaches for pregnant patients experiencing pain. About MPRINT: The Indiana CTSI Pharmacometric Modeling and Simulation Program and Maternal Pediatric Precision in Therapeutics Hub (MPRINT Hub) supports collaboration, education, and research in pharmacometrics, model-informed drug development, translational science, and clinical pharmacology. Conference details: Event: MPRINT Annual Meeting 2026 Day: 4 Date: April 16, 2026 Location: Hine Hall, Indianapolis, IN Chapters: 00:00 Panel introductions 01:15 Clinical challenges managing pain during pregnancy 04:08 Acetaminophen and NSAID safety considerations 07:42 Ductus arteriosus physiology and fetal risk 11:36 Interpreting observational research findings 15:04 Translational insights from animal models 18:27 Targeted drug delivery and preterm labor therapies 22:18 Balancing maternal and fetal outcomes 26:42 Chronic pain management strategies 30:35 Future research priorities 34:56 Audience questions 43:18 Closing discussion and final remarks Accessibility: Captions/subtitles are available for this video. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Indiana University, Purdue University, the Indiana CTSI, or affiliated organizations.