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H erbal Products N ot recommended i n Preg nancy or Breastfeeding Many herbal products have not been evaluated for their safety in pregnancy and
breastfeeding. Some supplements are known to have adverse effects in pregnancy, such as
starting uterine contractions. Products taken by a breastfeeding mother have the potential
to be passed to the baby in breast milk. Please check with your healthcare provider before
beginning any herbal or botanical supplements. This list may not represent all of the
herbal products unsafe for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Agnus Castus
Aloe
Angelica
Apricot Kernal
Asafoetida
Aristolchia
Avens
Blue Flag
Bogbean
Boldo
Boneset
Borage
Broom
Buchu
Buckhorn
Burdock
Calamus
Calendula
Chamomile, (German or Roman)
Chaparral
Cohosh, (Black or Blue)
Cola
Colstfoot
Comfrey
Cottonroot
Cornsilk
Crotalara
Damiana
Devil's Claw
Dong Quai
Dogbane
Ephedra
Eucalyptus
Eupatorium
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Foxglove
Franfula
Fucus
Gentian
Germander
Finseng
Golden Seal
Ground Ivy
Grounsel
Guarana
Hawthorne
Heliotropium
Hops
Horehound
Horsetail
Hydorcotyle
Jamaica Dogwood
Juniper
Liferoot
Licorice
Lobelia
Mandrake
Mate
Male Fern
Meadowsweet
Melliot
Mistletoe
Motherwort
Myrrh
Nettle
Osha
Passionflower
Pennyroyal
Petasites
Plantain
Pleurisy root
Podohyllium
Pokeroot
Poplar
Prickly Ash
Pulsatilla
Queen's Delight
Ragwort
Raspberry
Red Clover
Rhubarb
Rue
Sassafrass
Scullcap
Shepard's Purse
Skunk Cabbage
Stephania
Squill
St. John's Wort
Tansy
Tonka Bean
Uva-Ursi
Vervain
Wild Carrot
Willow
Wormwood
Yarrow
Yellow Duck
Yohimbe
Prenatal Vitamins and Omega-3
Supplements
Some women are more sensitive to prenatal vitamins and may experience slight nausea or
constipation from prenatal vitamins. There are tips at the bottom of page 2 to help with these side
effects.
You may use any brand of prenatal vitamin of your choosing. Feel free to bring your
vitamins with you to any appointment if you have questions or concerns regarding
quality.
Iron: 30mg/day. Foods high in iron should be included in the prenatal diet. In addition, you may be
advised to start taking an oral, low-dose iron supplement. Do not take iron supplements unless
directed to do so by your provider. Strict vegetarians need to make special efforts to get
adequate iron in their diet. Sources: eggs, lean red meat, liver, beans, fortified cereals, leafy
greens.
Folate: 400 to 800 mcg/day. Although adequate folate intake is easily achieved with dietary
sources, supplementation is recommended to reduce the risk of neural tube defects associated with
intakes less than 400 mcg per. Day. For women who have a child with a neural tube defect,
supplementation of up to 4g per. day is recommended. Sources: dark leafy green vegetables, citrus
fruits, beans and other legumes, wheat bran, pork, poultry and shellfish.
Calcium: 1500 mg/day. Most prenatal vitamins contain limited amounts (200-250 mg) of calcium.
By including 3-4 servings of calcium-rich foods per. day, requirements can be met. If dietary intake
is low, a separate calcium supplement should be taken. Since calcium and iron compete for
absorption, they are best taken at separate times. Sources: low-fat dairy, enriched soy products,
fortified juices, and leafy greens.
* If you begin to experience leg cramps during pregnancy a calcium supplement that contains
magnesium would be recommended to ease the frequency/intensity of cramping.*
Omega-3 fatty acids: This nutrient is not found in your standard prenatal vitamin. These are fats
that are essential to human health; but cannot be manufactured by your body. Current research is
inconclusive as to whether or not dietary supplements provide the same health benefit as eating
foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. The FDA has not established a minimum daily value nor has it
approved health statements associated with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and pregnancy.
Omega-3 fatty acids come primarily from fish oils (EPA and DHA) and plant oils (ALA). Choose
high-fat, cold- water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, and herring over supplements.
Plant sources of omega-3 fats include flaxseeds/oil, canola oil, soybeans/oil, pumpkin seeds/oil,
walnuts/oil, however, your body is inefficient at converting plant oils (ALA) into the omega-3
powerhouse DHA, so it is theorized that you will get more benefit from the omega-3 fats coming
from animal versus plant sources. Also widely available at the grocery store are omega-3 enriched
eggs (found with the regular eggs). If you choose to take an Omega-3 supplement, make sure it
is mercury free and contains between 200-300mg of DHA, such as Expecta Lipil. Omega- 3
fatty acid supplements should be used cautiously by people who bruise easily, have a bleeding
disorder, or who take blood-thinning medications. Please discuss this with your provider
before starting an omega-3 supplement.
Constipation: Prenatal vitamins contain increased amounts of minerals that may contribute to
constipation. Dietary changes such as more water, exercise and fiber may help. In addition, you may
benefit from an over-the-counter stool softener such as Docusate Sodium (Colace).
Nausea: Many women complain of nausea after taking their prenatal vitamin. Try taking vitamins
with a meal or just before with a light snack.
*If you have continued nausea/vomiting with no relief from light snacks, taking prenatal at recommended
times, and or other recommended techniques, please discuss this issue with your provider. Medications
may need to be prescribed to ease nausea and or vomiting.*