Welcome to Two Truths, a bestselling newsletter exploring the many truths of motherhood from journalists & maternal health advocates Cassie Shortsleeve & Kelsey Haywood Lucas of Motherspeak. Two Truths is rooted in the healing & affirming principle that two (or more) things can be true. It’s a “best parenting Substack” per Motherly and The Skimm says you should subscribe; also seen in Vox, The Bump, Popsugar & more.

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Earlier this week we bring you microjoys, and today we bring you… a not-so-joyful but necessary update on some developments in maternal and women’s health.

Some of this week’s updates are deep distractions from the work we all know needs to be done (read: supporting and investing in women and moms in all the ways they deserve). Yet, unfortunately, these updates carry real consequences as well: a growing distrust in public health, stigmatization of mothers and children, and, of course, fear. The creation of regional health coalitions signals a shift in what the future of public health could look like.

Despite the dread, there’s still hope for women’s health, as seen through the efforts, words, and actions of—of course—women, plus the proven benefits that emerge when we’re supported.

On Tylenol in Pregnancy

In Vogue, Fiorella Valdesolo said it best this week: The latest in maternal health fear mongering? Tylenol.

As you likely saw, RFK Jr. joined President Trump at a widely publicized event to claim that taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy may be linked to autism—a claim that was met with swift and intense pushback from physicians, major health organizations, and decades of data.

In Vogue, our friend Rachel Blake, M.D., an OB/GYN, reminded that acetaminophen remains one of the safest and most studied pain-relief and fever-reducing options during pregnancy.

Meanwhile, Erin Erenberg, CEO of Chamber of Mothers, told the mag that the administration’s messaging risks further eroding trust in medical institutions and leaving pregnant women especially vulnerable to misinformation.

chamberofmothers

A post shared by @chamberofmothers

The Autism Society of America expressed “deep concern” regarding the event. The group went on to remind that “to date, no single cause or cure has been identified after decades of rigorous research.” The group stated that premature claims, like the association with acetaminophen risk, “retraumatize autistic individuals