Is it safe?

Your growing baby depends on you to keep him healthy and you may have lots of questions about what’s safe during pregnancy.

Don’t drink alcohol, smoke or use street drugs during pregnancy. Doing these things can hurt your baby even before she’s born. Alcohol, drugs and harmful chemicals from smoke can pass directly through the umbilical cord to your baby. This can cause serious problems during pregnancy, including miscarriage, birth defects and premature birth.

Talk to your health care provider to make sure any medicine you take is safe for your baby. And tell her about any herbal products or supplements you use, too.

Learn what pets are OK to be around and how you can travel safely during pregnancy. Make a plan for your safety if your partner abuses you—abuse is never OK. Find out where you can go for help.