Prenatal Care
Prenatal care contributes to the well-being of you and your baby.
Mothers who engage in prenatal care have healthier pregnancies and empowered birth experiences.
Throughout your pregnancy, taking care of your body means taking care of your baby. Your baby is growing, and it is important to understand how your body is changing. You are playing an exciting role in the miracle of life. One of the most important things you can do is select a trusted, quality prenatal care provider. They will be with you as you see your baby grow and hear those first heartbeats. A prenatal care provider who sees you regularly can monitor you and spot health problems early.
You will be seeing your health care provider throughout the entire course of your pregnancy, so it is important to find a provider who you feel comfortable with. In addition to direct health care, your provider will be able to recommend educational and supportive community resources, so talk with them about your needs.
Be Mindful of Medications
Talk with your provider about any medications you’re currently taking and what over-the-counter medications to avoid while you’re pregnant. Common over the counter medications, such as pain relievers, allergy, and cold and flu may be safe, however depending on your unique health needs, your health care provider may advise you to against taking specific ones.
Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Poultry & Meat
Riskier Choice
Safer Choice
Riskier Choice
- Raw or undercooked poultry or meat
- Unheated deli meat, hot dogs, and dry sausages
Safer Choice
- Poultry fully-cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F, or until steaming hot
- Deli meat, hot dogs, and dry sausages cooked to 165°F, or until steaming hot
- Whole cut meat fully-cooked to 145°F, or until steaming hot
- Ground meat fully-cooked to 160°F, or browned throughout
Seafood
Riskier Choice
- Raw or undercooked fish or shellfish
- Refrigerated smoked seafood
- Fish that contain high amounts of mercury (such as: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish)
Safer Choice
- Fish cooked to 145°F, or until steaming hot
- Canned fish and seafood
- Shellfish cooked until shells open during cooking or flesh is white and opaque
- Fish that contain low amounts of mercury, such as: shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish
- Smoked fish cooked into dishes that are steaming hot
Cheese
Riskier Choice
- Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized (raw) milk
- Unheated sliced deli cheese
Safer Choice
- Hard cheeses (cheddar, swiss, etc.), cottage, cream, string, and feta cheeses
- Soft cheeses and deli cheeses heated to 165°F, or until steaming hot
Eggs
Riskier Choice
- Raw or undercooked (runny) eggs and foods that contain raw or undercooked eggs, such as raw batter, Caesar salad dressing, and homemade eggnog
Safer Choice
- Eggs with fully cooked and firm yolks and whites
- Egg dishes (quiche, frittata, etc.) cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F, or until steaming hot
- Using pasteurized eggs for uncooked foods with eggs (salad dressing, mousse, etc.)
Produce
Riskier Choice
- Raw or undercooked sprouts
- Unwashed fresh vegetables and fruits
- Cut melon left out for more than an hour
Safer Choice
- Cooked, steaming hot sprouts
- Washed vegetables and fruits
- Freshly cut melon
Dairy & Juice
Riskier Choice
- Unpasteurized milk and any unpasteurized milk-based products
- Unpasteurized juice
Safer Choice
- Pasteurized milk and milk-based products
- Pasteurized juice
Deli Salads
Riskier Choice
- Premade salads
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad
- Chicken salad
Safer Choice
- Make the salad at home with trusted ingredients
Flour
Riskier Choice
- Raw dough or raw batter made with uncooked flour
Safer Choice
- Food made with flour that is cooked, dough/batter made with heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs, and dough/batter labeled “edible” or “safe to eat raw”
