Acetaminophen is one of the few over-the-counter pain products approved for use during pregnancy. But recent research has shown mixed results. A new study from Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina adds evidence about the safety of acetaminophen and health of the developing fetus. The research team studied nearly nine thousand mother-infant pairs for adverse birth outcomes. The result: no statistically significant evidence that taking acetaminophen has any negative effect on how early a child is born or its weight at birth. Authors of the article in the American Journal of Epidemiology advise pregnant women to ask their healthcare provider about the use of any pain medication.