Have you ever found yourself rubbing your baby bump and wondering, “Is this safe?” before eating a deli meat sandwich? What about dyeing your hair? It’s perfectly valid (and smart!) to be cautious when you’re pregnant, but there can be a LOT of conflicting information out there about what is and isn’t safe during pregnancy. In this blog post, we’re going to go over some of the common things people searched for or doula clients asked about when wondering: “Is this safe during pregnancy?”

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post are in no way intended to be, nor should they be considered, medical advice. The purpose of this blog is solely informational. It is always recommended to consult your provider if you have any questions or concerns during your pregnancy.

Reviewed by Emily Wannenburg, DNDM, CLC, AdvCD(DONA), 4th Trimester Fitness® Method and Cara Benvenuti, Postpartum Doula in Montreal, Canada.

What are pregnancy-safe foods?

Most people seem to understand why consuming alcohol and drugs is unsafe during pregnancy, but what about everyday foods? Can you occasionally indulge in a salami sandwich or enjoy some feta on a salad? Or do you need to avoid it altogether? Are there other foods that should be avoided? 

The biggest concern with consuming certain foods while pregnant is bacterial infections. Lunch meat, soft cheeses, as well as raw meats, fish, and eggs all have a risk of carrying different types of bacteria, such as Listeria and salmonella. A listeriosis infection, though rare, is particularly concerning for pregnant people as they are more susceptible to infection and developing fetuses are more susceptible to dangerous complications from the infection. The federal government has taken steps to avoid Listeria, so your chances of becoming infected from eating lunch meat are low, but not nonexistent. 

If you’re pregnant and have already eaten lunch meat sandwiches, don’t panic! The odds are definitely in your favor. However, health advice and recommendations usually choose to err on the side of caution, especially during pregnancy. The recommendation is to avoid lunch meat altogether, but if you do want to eat a lunch meat sandwich, you should heat the lunch meat until it is steaming. Exposing the lunch meat to high heat should kill any bacteria that may be present. You also want to ensure all fresh vegetables are washed well as they can potentially carry Listeria, as well. 

In addition to precautions with lunch meat and veggies, it is recommended that pregnant people make sure all meat and fish is thoroughly cooked, all cheeses and products containing eggs are made from pasteurized milk and eggs, and any fish consumed is low in mercury.

What pain medicines can I take in pregnancy?

Changes in the body during pregnancy, both physical and hormonal, can lead to lots of different aches and pains. Sometimes, those aches and pains can be managed without medication, but what about the times when they can’t? Have you ever found yourself reaching into your medicine cabinet for a pain reliever only to pause and ask, “Wait, are any pain medications safe to take during pregnancy?”

There is some conflicting evidence regarding the safety of pain medications during pregnancy. It might be frustrating that there aren’t any clear answers regarding safety, but the reason being is that there are myriad ethical issues around conducting studies on pregnant individuals and their fetuses.

In general, small amounts of over-the-counter pain relievers seem to pose no substantial risk to pregnant persons or fetuses during pregnancy. Acetaminophen, also known by name brand Tylenol, is generally considered safe and is the recommended pain reliever for use during pregnancy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like Advil and Naproxen, are generally considered safe up to 20 weeks, but are not recommended after that point due to the risk of fetal kidney problems or increased bleeding during labor. Aspirin after 12 weeks of pregnancy is often prescribed to help treat preeclampsia, but does increase the risk of bleeding events in late term. 

While over-the-counter pain medication seems to be relatively safe during pregnancy, prescription pain medications (also referred to as narcotics and/or opioids) are never considered safe and should only be prescribed when the benefits of taking the drug outweigh the risks to the patient and developing fetus.

Pregnant or not, all medications pose some risk to the person taking them. Every medication should be taken at the lowest effective dose and it is always best to speak to a healthcare provider before taking any kind of medication, particularly during pregnancy, so you can effectively weigh the risk versus the benefits and make an informed decision.

You might also consider alternatives for pain relief, like icing your muscles for pain relief or using magnesium lotion.

Is it safe to travel in pregnancy?

Did you have an awesome summer vacation planned with your significant other and then found out you were pregnant? What now?? Can you still travel? A lot of people wonder if travel is safe during pregnancy and the good news is yes! 

In general, travel during pregnancy is considered safe if you aren’t experiencing any complications and aren’t too close to your due date. Airlines will usually allow pregnant people to travel up to 36 weeks. Car travel can occur after that point, but you do want to consider how close you are to your due date and how far you need to travel. No one wants to go into labor far away from their desired birth location or healthcare provider, after all! For reference, most women give birth between 38 and 41 weeks of pregnancy. Travel tends to be the most comfortable for mom during the second trimester of pregnancy.

If you have a trip planned, just talk to your healthcare provider to be safe and plan for extra comfort and safety. 

Can I go to the hair salon in pregnancy?

Can you keep up with your normal beauty routine while you’re pregnant? (And let’s be honest, for some of us, it’s more than a simple routine, it’s a form of self-care!)

Are hair dye, perms, relaxers, and other hair treatments safe in pregnancy? Though the research is limited (remember: it’s hard to design studies for pregnant folks!), current evidence suggests that the chemicals in hair treatments are not highly toxic and very little is absorbed through the skin, so they are safe to use during pregnancy. 

If you’re concerned, you may consider waiting until the second trimester to use any hair treatments and perhaps opt for highlights rather than all over color. When applying highlights, the bleach or color does not touch the scalp, so no chemicals will be absorbed into the skin. Make sure all treatments are done in a well ventilated area – plus, ventilation may help prevent your getting sick from the strong smells! If you’re dyeing your hair yourself, follow all directions on the packaging, wear gloves, and wash your scalp and hair thoroughly afterwards.

Can I go swimming in public pools while pregnant? Can I use a hot tub while pregnant?

Swimming is an often-recommended form of gentle, yet effective exercise for pregnant people – but is swimming in public pools safe? What about taking a soothing soak in a hot tub? 

Though infection by water-borne bacteria and exposure to disinfecting chemicals used in public pools could potentially be a concern, current research does not show any increased risk from these pathogens or chemicals to pregnant people, meaning pregnant people are at no greater risk than non-pregnant people from swimming in a public pool. 

Hot tubs, however, are a slightly different story. It isn’t the chemicals in hot tubs that pose a risk, but the temperature of the water. Particularly between 0 and 12 weeks, a core body temperature in the fever range (101 degrees and above) increases the risk of birth defects. The temperature of the water in most hot tubs is set at 104 degrees and just 10-20 minutes in water that hot can raise the core body temperature to fever level. If you’re looking for warm water to aid relaxation and soothe aches and pains, opt for a warm bath with epsom salts instead. It is easier to prevent overheating in a bath than a hot tub as most of the upper body is exposed during a bath.

Can I keep nursing while pregnant?

Perhaps you’ve heard that breastfeeding can cause mild contractions and wonder if it’s safe to continue breastfeeding while pregnant. Maybe you wonder if either baby, born or unborn, will get enough nutrients if you breastfeed. The good news is that breastfeeding should not pose any risk to a well-nourished pregnant person during a normal, healthy pregnancy. It is true that the release of oxytocin during breastfeeding can cause mild contractions, but they are not a concern and generally will not cause preterm labor. In fact, some research suggests that the uterus becomes unresponsive to oxytocin throughout pregnancy until near term, so the release of the hormone through breastfeeding while pregnant may not cause contractions at all. 

If your pregnancy is high risk, you’re carrying twins, or you’ve been having any complications, particularly bleeding or uterine pain, it is best to check with your healthcare provider to ensure you make the safest choice for you, your unborn baby, and your nursing child.

Can I carry my older child while pregnant?

Generally, heavy lifting isn’t advised during pregnancy, but what if the ‘heavy item’ is your toddler at home!? Many moms of multiple children can’t avoid lifting their older kids while pregnant and, thankfully, if lifting hasn’t been restricted by a healthcare provider, it should be safe to do in pregnancy. You should always get clearance for lifting from a healthcare provider first, though, and practice safe lifting techniques. Bending at the knees rather than the back, keeping your back as straight as possible, and pushing up from the legs are all safe lifting practices, normally, and are particularly important during pregnancy. Also, allowing a partner to carry older children if possible helps lower the risk of injury. If you experience any pain or spotting after carrying an older child – or lifting any amount of weight – always make sure to speak to your healthcare provider.

In Conclusion: Be sensible, listen to your gut, don’t be afraid to ask questions! 

Pregnant people question the safety of SO many things and for good reason. We all want the best outcome for ourselves and our babies! The topics covered in this blog only scratch the surface of possible safety concerns but do tend to be some of the most common ones searched for or suggested to us by our clients and followers on social media. 

At the end of the day, your intuition will tell you a lot! Using your fine-tuned intuition, you will make excellent decisions for you and your baby. And if you find yourself unsure, we hope you have a wonderful support system of excellent providers to guide you! A doula can help you find a primary care provider for the healthiest pregnancy, as well as be a listening ear for your concerns. Find a doula near you today!

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post are in no way intended to be, nor should they be considered, medical advice. The purpose of this blog is solely informational. It is always recommended to consult your provider if you have any questions or concerns during your pregnancy.

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