Every entry whose writeup carries a note for pregnant or breastfeeding. The note is the entry’s own — follow it for the full context. See this in the planner →
Supplements
- American GinsengAvoid — safety in pregnancy is not established.
- AndrographisAvoid — traditional use as an abortifacient and animal data raise reproductive concerns.
- AshwagandhaAvoid — it has traditionally been used as an abortifacient and has been linked to miscarriage.
- AstaxanthinInsufficient safety data — best avoided or discussed with a clinician.
- AstragalusNot enough safety data; best avoided.
- Bacopa MonnieriUntested in pregnancy — avoid.
- BerberineAvoid — berberine crosses the placenta and has been linked to kernicterus risk in newborns. Also avoid while breastfeeding.
- Black Seed OilAvoid medicinal doses — safety is not established and traditional caution applies.
- BromelainInsufficient safety data — avoid.
- ButterburAvoid — safety is not established and pyrrolizidine alkaloids are of particular concern in pregnancy.
- CaffeineLimit to around 200 mg daily — roughly one to two cups of coffee. Higher intakes have been associated with miscarriage and low birth weight.
- CalciumRequirements do not actually rise, because absorption becomes more efficient. Supplementation matters mainly where dietary intake is low.
- Cat’s ClawAvoid — it has traditional use as a contraceptive and safety in pregnancy is not established.
- Chamomile ExtractTraditionally cautioned against in pregnancy in medicinal amounts; food/tea amounts are usually considered low-risk but data are limited.
- CholineRequirements rise and typical intakes fall short. Many prenatal vitamins contain little or none, so it is worth checking the label specifically.
- CordycepsNot enough safety data; best avoided.
- Creatine MonohydrateNot well studied in pregnancy. Absence of evidence rather than evidence of harm, but that is a reason for caution.
- Devil’s ClawAvoid — it can stimulate the uterus and has traditional use as an oxytocic.
- DIMAvoid — no safety data, and it affects oestrogen metabolism.
- FeverfewAvoid — it acts as an emmenagogue and may stimulate the uterus.
- Folate (B9)The clearest case for a supplement in this entire library. 400 mcg daily from before conception, more if there is a history of neural tube defects, on medical advice.
- Ginger Root ExtractOne of the better-tolerated options for morning sickness; trials up to about 1 g/day reduced nausea with no clear harm, though long-term safety is not fully proven — keep to modest doses and inform your clinician.
- GLA (Evening Primrose Oil)Avoid in pregnancy unless advised by a clinician; safety is not established.
- Gotu KolaAvoid — traditionally regarded as a uterine stimulant and not established as safe.
- Grape Seed ExtractInsufficient safety data — best avoided.
- Green Tea Extract (EGCG)High-dose extracts are best avoided; EGCG can reduce folate availability and the liver signal adds caution.
- HawthornAvoid — safety has not been established and it may affect the uterus.
- Holy Basil (Tulsi)Best avoided — animal studies suggest possible anti-fertility and effects in pregnancy.
- Horny Goat WeedAvoid — safety is not established and it is not recommended in pregnancy.
- Huperzine AAvoid — untested and pharmacologically active.
- IodineRequirements rise to 220 mcg and deficiency has serious consequences for foetal brain development. Most prenatals include it; check yours does.
- IronRequirements rise sharply to 27 mg and deficiency is common — but this is a case for testing and medical guidance, not self-prescribing.
- Licorice RootAvoid — heavy glycyrrhizin intake in pregnancy has been linked to preterm birth and effects on the child.
- Lion’s ManeUntested in pregnancy — avoid.
- MagnesiumSometimes prescribed for specific complications, but that is a clinical decision at doses above the general limit. Do not self-dose.
- Marshmallow RootAvoid without medical advice — safety in pregnancy has not been established.
- MelatoninNot well studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding — generally advised against.
- Mucuna PruriensAvoid — it is an active L-DOPA source and affects prolactin.
- Omega-3 (Fish Oil)DHA matters for foetal brain and eye development. Choose a supplement over high-mercury fish species, and check the DHA figure specifically.
- Oregano OilAvoid the concentrated oil — safety is not established and traditional caution applies.
- Panax GinsengAvoid — ginsenosides have shown developmental effects in laboratory studies and safety is not established.
- PassionflowerAvoid — it may stimulate the uterus and safety data are limited.
- PregnenoloneAvoid — no safety data for a hormone precursor.
- Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract)Avoid — safety in pregnancy is not established.
- Reishi MushroomAvoid — there is not enough safety data to support use.
- ResveratrolAvoid — no safety data and it has mild oestrogen-like activity.
- Rhodiola RoseaNot enough safety data — best avoided.
- Saccharomyces BoulardiiHuman safety data in pregnancy are limited, so evidence to recommend it is lacking rather than there being a specific documented harm.
- SchisandraAvoid — traditionally used to stimulate the uterus, and safety data are lacking.
- Slippery ElmAvoid — no controlled safety data, and whole-bark preparations have historically been linked to abortifacient use.
- SpirulinaAvoid — contamination risk in unregulated products is not worth taking during pregnancy.
- St. John’s WortNot enough safety data, and generally advised against.
- TheacrineUntested in pregnancy — avoid.
- Turmeric / CurcuminCulinary amounts are fine; supplemental doses are not well studied and are generally advised against.
- Type II Collagen (UC-II)Untested in pregnancy — avoid.
- Vitamin AThe most important warning in this entry: high-dose preformed vitamin A causes birth defects. Check that prenatal vitamins use beta-carotene, and avoid liver.
- Vitamin B12Important for foetal neurological development, and vegan mothers need to be particularly reliable about it.
- Vitamin B6Used deliberately for nausea, but at a dose your clinician sets. Do not add an extra B6 on top of a prenatal without asking.
- Vitamin CRequirements rise slightly, but ordinary food easily covers it. Stay under the 2,000 mg limit.
- Vitamin D3Needed, and commonly low — but stay within the 100 mcg upper limit. Most prenatals already include some, so check before adding a separate one.
- Vitex (Chasteberry)Avoid — hormonal activity and no safety data.
- White Willow BarkAvoid — salicylates are generally not recommended in pregnancy.
- ZincRequirements rise modestly. Most prenatals cover it; stacking a separate zinc on top risks exceeding the limit.
Other situations