Is it safe during pregnancy?
Clear, expert-reviewed verdicts on 270 foods, medications, and activities — each labeled Safe, In moderation, or Avoid, with the reasoning and safe amounts spelled out. Search any item below.
- ✓Based on ACOG, CDC & FDA guidance
- ✓270 verdicts, A–Z
- ✓Safe amounts spelled out
270 answers, A–Z
Is Acetaminophen safe during pregnancy?
Generally considered the preferred pain reliever, but use the lowest effective dose and check with your provider.
Is Acrylic nails safe during pregnancy?
Probably fine, but the fumes are strong — make sure the salon is well-ventilated.
Is Afrin safe during pregnancy?
Use decongestant nasal sprays only briefly (a few days) and with provider guidance.
Is Air travel safe during pregnancy?
Usually fine through ~36 weeks for low-risk pregnancies; check airline rules.
Is Airport scanners safe during pregnancy?
Both metal detectors and millimeter-wave body scanners are considered safe in pregnancy.
Is Alcohol safe during pregnancy?
No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy.
Is Aleve (naproxen) safe during pregnancy?
Avoid NSAIDs like naproxen, especially after 20 weeks — same concerns as ibuprofen.
Is Aleve (naproxen) safe during pregnancy?
Avoid NSAIDs like naproxen, especially after 20 weeks — same concerns as ibuprofen.
Is Allegra safe during pregnancy?
Allegra (fexofenadine) is generally considered safe for allergies in pregnancy, though cetirizine and loratadine have more pregnancy safety data and are often preferred first.
Is Almonds safe during pregnancy?
Almonds are safe and a healthy source of protein, vitamin E, and calcium during pregnancy unless you have a tree-nut allergy.
Is Amoxicillin safe during pregnancy?
Amoxicillin and other penicillin-class antibiotics are considered safe in pregnancy and are commonly prescribed when an antibiotic is needed.
Is Anchovies safe during pregnancy?
Anchovies are a small, low-mercury fish on the FDA's 'best choices' list and are safe during pregnancy, though watch the high salt content if eaten often.
Is Antihistamines safe during pregnancy?
Some are considered low-risk, but check with your provider before taking any.
Is Apple cider vinegar safe during pregnancy?
Safe in food amounts; choose pasteurized if drinking it diluted.
Is Artificial sweeteners safe during pregnancy?
Aspartame, sucralose, and stevia are considered safe in moderation (avoid aspartame only if you have PKU).
Is Ashwagandha safe during pregnancy?
Avoid — this herbal supplement isn’t recommended in pregnancy.
Is Aspirin safe during pregnancy?
Avoid regular-dose aspirin unless your provider prescribes low-dose aspirin for a specific reason.
Is Avocado safe during pregnancy?
Avocado is safe and beneficial in pregnancy, supplying folate, potassium, and healthy fats that support fetal development.
Is Azelaic Acid safe during pregnancy?
Azelaic acid is widely regarded as one of the safest topical actives for acne and melasma in pregnancy, with no known risk to the baby from topical use.
Is Bagged salad safe during pregnancy?
Wash pre-washed greens again and eat fresh — pre-cut produce has a small listeria risk.
Is Bean Sprouts safe during pregnancy?
Raw bean sprouts can harbor Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria because of their warm, humid growing conditions, so eat them only when cooked thoroughly until steaming hot.
Is Benadryl safe during pregnancy?
Diphenhydramine is generally considered low-risk for short-term use, but check with your provider first.
Is Benzoyl peroxide safe during pregnancy?
Low-concentration topical use is generally considered low-risk; ask your provider about acne care.
Is Blue cheese safe during pregnancy?
Mold-ripened soft cheeses are risky unless pasteurized and cooked until steaming.
Is Bone broth safe during pregnancy?
Safe and nourishing when made/stored properly and served hot.
Is Botox safe during pregnancy?
Usually deferred during pregnancy — it’s elective and safety data are limited. Ask your provider.
Is Bowling safe during pregnancy?
Generally fine — just lift mindfully and protect your back as your bump grows.
Is Brie safe during pregnancy?
Soft cheese is OK only when made from pasteurized milk; heating until bubbling also makes it safe.
Is Bug spray (DEET) safe during pregnancy?
EPA-registered repellents like DEET are safe and important for preventing Zika and other illnesses.
Is Bug spray (DEET) safe during pregnancy?
EPA-registered repellents like DEET are safe and important for preventing Zika and other illnesses.
Is CBD safe during pregnancy?
The FDA advises against CBD/THC in pregnancy — safety isn’t established and products are unregulated.
Is COVID-19 vaccine safe during pregnancy?
Recommended in pregnancy by ACOG and the CDC.
Is Calcium supplement safe during pregnancy?
Safe and often recommended — many prenatals are low in calcium.
Is Camembert safe during pregnancy?
Soft mold-ripened cheeses like Camembert should be avoided unless cooked until steaming hot, because their high moisture and ripening rind can support Listeria growth even when refrigerated.
Is Cannabis safe during pregnancy?
Avoid — linked to low birth weight and developmental concerns.
Is Canned tuna safe during pregnancy?
Choose light tuna and limit to ~2 servings (about 8–12 oz) a week; albacore is higher in mercury.
Is Carbon Monoxide safe during pregnancy?
Carbon monoxide is dangerous in pregnancy because it crosses the placenta and starves the fetus of oxygen, raising the risk of brain injury and stillbirth, so install CO detectors and never idle a car or run a generator in an enclosed space.
Is Cats / litter boxes safe during pregnancy?
Have someone else change the litter to avoid toxoplasmosis risk.
Is Caviar safe during pregnancy?
Avoid raw/refrigerated fish roe — listeria risk. Pasteurized, shelf-stable types are lower risk.
Is Chai Latte safe during pregnancy?
A chai latte made with pasteurized milk is fine, but its black tea caffeine (roughly 40-70 mg) counts toward your 200 mg daily limit, so consider a decaf version if you have had other caffeine.
Is Chemical peels safe during pregnancy?
Mild glycolic/lactic peels are likely fine; avoid salicylic-acid and strong peels.
Is Claritin safe during pregnancy?
Loratadine is often considered a lower-risk antihistamine, but confirm with your provider.
Is Cleaning products safe during pregnancy?
Use in well-ventilated areas; avoid mixing chemicals and harsh fumes.
Is Coconut Water safe during pregnancy?
Coconut water is safe and hydrating during pregnancy, providing electrolytes like potassium, though it is not a substitute for water and is best in moderation.
Is Coffee safe during pregnancy?
Up to ~200 mg caffeine/day (about one 12-oz cup) is generally considered safe.
Is Cold Brew safe during pregnancy?
Cold brew is often more concentrated than regular coffee, so drink it sparingly and track your intake to stay under ACOG's 200 mg daily caffeine limit.
Is Cold Plunge safe during pregnancy?
Brief cold-water immersion does not raise core temperature like a hot tub, so it is unlikely to harm the baby, but the cold-shock response, fall risk, and lack of pregnancy data mean you should check with your provider and ease in carefully.
Is Cold Smoked Fish safe during pregnancy?
Cold-smoked or lox-style fish is not cooked and is a recognized Listeria risk, so it is safest avoided unless heated to 165°F or baked into a fully cooked dish.
Is Cooked Crab safe during pregnancy?
Thoroughly cooked crab is low in mercury and listed among the FDA's 'best choices,' so it can be enjoyed as part of the recommended 2-3 weekly seafood servings.
Is Cottage cheese safe during pregnancy?
Safe — pasteurized and a good source of protein and calcium.
Is Cough drops safe during pregnancy?
Plain menthol cough drops are considered low-risk; avoid ones with added medications.
Is Crab safe during pregnancy?
Safe when fully cooked — crab is low in mercury. Avoid raw or refrigerated smoked seafood.
Is Cream cheese safe during pregnancy?
Safe — it’s made from pasteurized milk.
Is Cruise Travel safe during pregnancy?
Cruises are reasonable in early to mid pregnancy, but most lines refuse passengers past 24 weeks because onboard medical care is limited, so check norovirus and Zika risks for your itinerary first.
Is Dark chocolate safe during pregnancy?
Safe in moderation — just count its small caffeine content toward your daily limit.
Is DayQuil safe during pregnancy?
DayQuil combines acetaminophen with the decongestant phenylephrine and dextromethorphan, so it is better to use single-symptom products under your provider's guidance, especially in the first trimester.
Is Decaf coffee safe during pregnancy?
Safe — it has only a tiny amount of caffeine.
Is Deli meat safe during pregnancy?
Heat deli meats until steaming to kill listeria before eating.
Is Dental work safe during pregnancy?
Routine dental care is encouraged; X-rays use abdominal shielding and are considered safe.
Is Deodorant safe during pregnancy?
Regular and antiperspirant deodorants are considered safe.
How these verdicts work
How do you decide what’s safe during pregnancy?
Each verdict is based on guidance from obstetric and public-health sources (ACOG, the CDC, the FDA) and reviewed by our medical advisory board. Where evidence is mixed, we say so and default to the more cautious "in moderation."
What do the colored labels mean?
Green "Safe" means generally fine at normal amounts; amber "In moderation" means okay within limits we spell out on the page; red "Avoid" means skip it during pregnancy. Always confirm with your own provider — individual situations differ.
My item isn’t listed — what should I do?
We add new answers weekly. Until yours appears, ask your provider or pharmacist; for a possible exposure, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, and in an emergency call 911.