Is it safe during pregnancy?

ACOG considers acetaminophen a reasonable first choice for pain and fever at standard package doses — use the lowest dose that works, for the shortest time. Research into prenatal use is ongoing, so tell your provider you're using it.

Only if your provider prescribed it: low-dose aspirin is recommended for some pregnancies to lower preeclampsia risk, but that's a provider decision based on your history — never a self-start.

Full-dose aspirin is an NSAID and carries the FDA's avoid-at-20-weeks-and-later warning, plus bleeding concerns near delivery. The prescribed low-dose version (next entry) is a separate question.

It contains a salicylate — the same drug family as aspirin — so it carries NSAID-type concerns, especially in the second half of pregnancy. Ask your provider about alternatives instead.

Calcium-based antacids are the standard first-line answer for pregnancy heartburn in ACOG patient guidance. Stick to package doses and mention frequent heartburn at your next visit.

Like loratadine, cetirizine is among the antihistamines ACOG describes as considered safe during pregnancy. Confirm daily use with your provider.

Studies to date haven't shown an increased risk of birth defects. Check the label for extra ingredients (alcohol, NSAIDs, decongestants) that change the answer, and confirm with your provider.

An older antihistamine with a long track record; studies haven't shown a pattern of birth defects. It's sedating, and it's still worth confirming with your provider before regular use.

Barely absorbed and widely considered fine for pregnancy constipation, alongside fluids and fiber. Mention persistent constipation at a prenatal visit rather than escalating on your own.

Available studies haven't shown an increased risk, and it's commonly used when antacids aren't enough. Confirm the plan with your provider, especially for daily use.

Evidence on first-trimester use is limited, so most clinicians suggest holding off early in pregnancy. Ask your provider before using it at any stage.

Herbal products aren't FDA-reviewed for pregnancy safety, and 'natural' doesn't mean safe — some are known problems. Bring anything you take to your provider, or ask MotherToBaby about the specific herb.

Too much preformed vitamin A (retinol) can cause birth defects. A standard prenatal vitamin uses safe forms and amounts — skip separate retinol or cod-liver-oil supplements unless your provider directs them.

An NSAID. The FDA advises avoiding NSAIDs at 20 weeks of pregnancy and later because they can cause fetal kidney problems and low amniotic fluid. Earlier use only if your provider specifically okays it.

Isotretinoin causes severe birth defects — the FDA requires the iPLEDGE safety program around it. If you take it and become pregnant, stop it immediately and call your prescriber right away — for isotretinoin specifically the FDA instruction is to stop the drug at once, not to keep taking it until you reach your prescriber.

ACOG lists newer antihistamines like loratadine among allergy medicines considered safe in pregnancy. Run your allergy plan by your provider anyway, especially if you take it daily.

Human pregnancy data are thin and supplement doses vary widely between brands. Talk sleep strategies through with your provider before reaching for it.

Same NSAID class and same FDA warning as ibuprofen: avoid at 20 weeks and later over fetal kidney and amniotic-fluid risks, and don't use earlier without your provider's okay.

Pregnancy data are limited and it can affect blood flow. Saline spray, humidified air, and rest are the safer first moves — ask your provider before taking it.

Recommended, not just allowed: the CDC advises 400 mcg of folic acid daily to sharply lower the risk of neural-tube defects, and a prenatal vitamin is the usual way to get it.

Some studies link first-trimester use to a small risk of abdominal-wall birth defects, and it can raise blood pressure. Most guidance says skip it in the first trimester and ask before using it after that.

The CDC is unambiguous: there is no known safe amount, no safe type, and no safe time for alcohol in pregnancy. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are fully preventable by not drinking.

FDA-approved sweeteners are considered acceptable in moderation during pregnancy — the exception is aspartame if you have PKU. Water and milk are still the better defaults.

ACOG advises that moderate caffeine — under about 200 mg a day, roughly one 12-oz coffee — hasn't been linked to miscarriage or preterm birth. Count every source: tea, soda, energy products, chocolate.

Cold cuts and hot dogs can carry listeria, which is far more dangerous in pregnancy. CDC guidance: heat them until steaming hot (165°F) just before eating, or skip them.

A single can can blow past the 200-mg caffeine line ACOG uses, and the added stimulant blends aren't tested in pregnancy. Ask your provider before using them at all.

Herbal teas aren't FDA-reviewed for pregnancy, and some herbs are concerning in quantity. An occasional cup of a common variety is likely fine — ask before making any of them a daily habit.

These are the FDA's 'choices to avoid' while pregnant: mercury accumulates and can harm a developing brain and nervous system.

Liver is extremely high in preformed vitamin A, which can cause birth defects in large amounts. Occasional small portions at most — and ask your provider where your line is.

FDA 'best choices' — 2 to 3 servings a week are actively encouraged for the omega-3s a developing brain needs. Cook seafood through while pregnant.

Store-counter salads are a named listeria risk for pregnancy in CDC guidance. Making the same salad fresh at home with cooked ingredients is fine.

It's both the raw egg and the raw flour — flour can carry E. coli and isn't treated to kill it. Bake first; edible doughs made with treated flour and pasteurized egg are the workaround.

Raw fish can carry parasites and bacteria that hit harder during pregnancy. Cooked rolls, veggie rolls, and fully cooked seafood are fine.

Skip raw and runny eggs — and homemade foods made with them — over salmonella risk, unless they're made with pasteurized eggs. Fully cooked eggs are fine.

Undercooked meat is a classic route to toxoplasmosis and salmonella, both more serious in pregnancy. Use a food thermometer and cook meats to safe temperatures.

Bacteria can live inside the sprout seed itself, where washing can't reach — the FDA says cook sprouts thoroughly or skip them while pregnant.

Refrigerated pâtés and meat spreads are on the CDC's listeria list for pregnancy. Canned or shelf-stable versions are the safer swap.

A listeria risk unless it's cooked into a hot dish or is the canned/shelf-stable kind, per FDA food-safety guidance. Ask, or save the bagel topping for after delivery.

Soft cheeses made from raw milk are a leading listeria source in pregnancy per the CDC. The same cheeses made from pasteurized milk are considered OK — the label is the test.

Raw milk is a recognized listeria source the CDC tells pregnant people to avoid entirely. Pasteurized milk and dairy are fine — check the label.

Untreated juice and cider can carry E. coli and other bacteria — the FDA says pregnant people should choose pasteurized versions. Nearly all shelf juice is pasteurized; farm-stand and fresh-squeezed often isn't.

Produce is great — just wash it first. Unwashed fruits and vegetables can carry toxoplasmosis and listeria from soil. Rinse well under running water and trim damaged spots.

Don't be the one applying them: have someone else do it, leave during application, and air the space out afterward. Ask your provider about anything beyond routine home use.

The FDA specifically cautions against CBD during pregnancy — the fetal effects are unknown, and real-world products have contamination and undisclosed-THC problems.

Cat feces can carry toxoplasmosis. CDC advice: hand the litter box to someone else if you can; otherwise wear gloves, change it daily, and wash your hands well. No need to rehome the cat.

ACOG advises skipping activities with a high risk of falling or a blow to the abdomen during pregnancy. There are plenty of safer ways to stay active — see the exercise entry.

A single diagnostic X-ray is generally far below the radiation doses linked to harm, per ACOG — but always tell your provider and the technologist you're pregnant so they can shield, defer, or pick ultrasound/MRI instead.

Occasional flying is generally considered OK up to about 36 weeks in an uncomplicated pregnancy per ACOG — airlines set their own cutoffs, so check yours. Move and hydrate on long flights, and ask first if you have complications.

Same toxoplasmosis logic as the litter box — soil can carry it from outdoor cats. Wear gloves while you garden and wash your hands afterward.

Raising your core temperature — especially in early pregnancy — is linked to neural-tube defects, so ACOG advises avoiding hot tubs and saunas. A warm (not hot) bath is fine.

Same overheating concern as hot tubs: ACOG specifically advises against exercising in hot, humid conditions like heated studio classes. Regular prenatal yoga is a recommended alternative.

Typical use with ventilation and gloves is considered fine. Never mix bleach and ammonia (dangerous for everyone), and leave industrial-strength products to someone else.

The CDC says EPA-registered repellents, including DEET, are safe to use as directed in pregnancy — and worth using, because mosquito-borne infections are the real risk.

The FDA and CDC both advise against cannabis in any form during pregnancy: THC crosses the placenta and is linked to lower birth weight and developmental effects. That includes edibles — ask about alternatives for nausea or sleep.

ACOG recommends about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week in uncomplicated pregnancies — it helps, not harms. Confirm your plan at a prenatal visit, especially if you have any complications.

Solvents are among the exposures with real evidence of pregnancy harm at high levels. Let someone else do solvent-heavy work, and ventilate well if you're nearby.

Occasional water-based painting with windows open is considered low-risk, but skip oil-based and spray paints — and never sand or strip old paint yourself. Ask about your specific project.

Sanding or scraping paint in homes built before 1978 can release lead dust, which harms a developing brain. This one is a hard delegate — stay out of the work area entirely.

ACOG says no: the fetus has no protection against decompression sickness. Surface snorkeling is the swap.

Secondhand smoke exposure in pregnancy is linked to low birth weight and SIDS per the CDC. Make your home and car smoke-free, and ask the smokers in your life to take it outside — or quit with you.

In an uncomplicated pregnancy, sex is considered safe right up to delivery. Your provider will tell you if a specific condition — like placenta previa or preterm-labor risk — changes that.

Smoking raises the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, certain birth defects, and SIDS per the CDC. Quitting at any point in pregnancy helps — free support exists at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

The CDC advises pregnant travelers not to visit areas with Zika risk and to weigh malaria zones very carefully — both infections can be devastating in pregnancy. Check CDC travel notices before booking.

Not a safe alternative to smoking: the CDC notes nicotine itself damages a developing brain and lungs. Ask your provider about pregnancy-safe quit support instead of switching.

Widely considered one of the go-to pregnancy-compatible acne and rosacea ingredients. As with any routine, mention it at a prenatal visit.

Only a small amount is absorbed, and it's a standard option for pregnancy acne in patient guidance. Confirm your overall acne routine with your provider or dermatologist.

Pregnancy data are scarce, so the standard advice is to defer cosmetic injections until after delivery. Medical uses of botulinum toxin are a decision for you and your prescriber.

Unregulated, highly concentrated, and barely studied in pregnancy — and a few specific oils are flagged as problems. Occasional diluted or diffused use is probably low-risk, but ask before regular use.

Very little dye is absorbed through the scalp, and guidance considers coloring OK — pick a ventilated space and gloves if you're doing it yourself (highlights touch the scalp even less). Many people still wait out the first trimester; ask if you're unsure.

Studies haven't shown a clear problem, but your skin absorbs an unusually large share of hydroquinone — so most guidance says hold off until after pregnancy. Ask about melasma-safe alternatives.

Occasional manicures are considered fine — pick a well-ventilated salon. The studied concern is all-day occupational exposure for salon workers, not a customer's visit.

The pregnancy-specific concerns are infection (hepatitis B and C, HIV) plus unstudied ink exposure — most guidance, and most artists, say wait. Talk to your provider if it can't.

Medium and deep peels push absorbed doses well beyond a face wash, and pregnancy data are limited. Defer, or clear the specific peel with your provider and dermatologist first.

Vitamin-A-derived actives are advised against in pregnancy: the oral form causes severe birth defects, so topicals are skipped as a precaution. Azelaic acid is a commonly suggested swap — ask your provider or dermatologist.

A rinse-off cleanser with a low percentage of salicylic acid is generally considered fine in pregnancy skin-care guidance. High-strength or leave-on versions are a different question — ask first.

DHA, the browning ingredient, barely penetrates the skin's outer layer, so lotions and mousses are considered fine. The spray-booth version is a separate entry.

The concern is breathing in the mist, not the skin contact — inhaled DHA hasn't been studied in pregnancy. Use a lotion instead, or ask your provider.

Recommended, not just allowed: pregnancy skin is more prone to darkening (melasma), and sun protection helps. Mineral formulas (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are the pick if absorption worries you.