Product Reviews and Information for Pregnancy

5/15/2020

High Blood Pressure Risk With Too Much Folic Acid During Pregnancy

While it is important to take folate during pregnancy, a new study suggests that too much folic acid from supplements increases the risk of high blood pressure in mothers. See the details in the Folic Acid section of the B Vitamin Supplements Review.

Also see our Top Pick among prenatal vitamins, which provides adequate (but not too much) folic acid, in our Multivitamin and Multiminerals Supplements Review.

4/23/2019

Fish Oil During Pregnancy

Does taking fish oil during pregnancy yield children with higher IQs? Find out what studies are showing in the What It Does section of the Fish Oil Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for fish oil supplements and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

7/16/2016

Fish Intake During Pregnancy Increases Child's IQ

Consuming fish during pregnancy is associated with increased IQ in children, according to a recent study. Get the details in the Fish Oil and Omega-Fatty Acid Supplements Review >>

7/12/2014

Vitamin D & Calcium for Diabetes Due to Pregnancy

A new study found supplementation with a combination of vitamin D and calcium improved fasting blood sugar levels, serum insulin levels, and insulin sensitivity in women with gestational (pregnancy-related) diabetes. For more details, including dosage, as well as our tests and comparisons of vitamin D and calcium supplements, see the update to the Vitamin D Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Vitamin K, Magnesium) >>   

2/25/2018

Folic Acid, Multis & Autism Risk

The use of a folic acid or multivitamin supplement during pregnancy was associated a reduced risk of autism spectrum disorder in children according to a recently published study. Be aware, however, that high-dose folic acid during pregnancy may have negative effects. For details, see the Folic Acid section of the B Vitamins Review.

8/07/2011

DHA in Pregnancy

The omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, is known to be important to fetal development and is recommended for pregnant woman. A new study suggests that DHA during pregnancy may reduce early colds in some infants. An update to the Fish Oil Supplements Review includes the dose and type of DHA used. More >>

5/03/2014

Does Fish Oil Help During Pregnancy?

A recent study shows that, at age 4, children born to women given DHA-rich fish oil during pregnancy do not fare better cognitively than other children. Other positive effects around the time of birth, however, suggest that supplementation may be worthwhile. For details, as well as our tests of fish oil supplements, see the Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Review (Including Krill, Algae, Calamari, Green-lipped Mussel Oil) >>   

12/17/2016

Vitamin D and Autism Risk

Children whose mothers are vitamin D deficient during pregnancy are much more likely to have autistic traits by age six than those whose mothers have sufficient levels during pregnancy, according to a new study. Get the details, as well as our reviews of vitamin D supplements, in the "What It Does" section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review »

3/26/2017

DHA to Boost Children's IQ?

Supplementing with DHA during pregnancy has been touted as a way to increase the IQ of offspring, but results published this week seem to quash that hope. However, there may be other benefits, particularly for women with normally low intake of DHA, as discussed in the section "During Pregnancy: Effects on Children" in the Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Review >>

4/15/2017

Probiotic Reduces Diabetes Risk In Pregnancy

Taking a certain type of probiotic during pregnancy reduced the risk of gestational diabetes, according to a new study. For details see the "What It Does" section of the Probiotic Supplements Review >>

9/12/2020

Fish Oil During Pregnancy

Does taking fish oil during pregnancy lead to cognitive benefits in children? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of Fish Oil Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for fish oil.

12/31/2021

Prenatal Choline Improves Attention in Children

Mothers who took higher doses of choline during pregnancy were found to have children with improved attention, according to a recent study. See the details in the During Pregnancy and Lactation section of our Choline Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among choline supplements.

2/21/2024

Omega-3s for Preventing Preterm Birth

Some new guidelines suggest getting specific amounts of the omega-3s DHA and EPA during pregnancy. Get the details, including how to tell if your intake is too low and when to start supplementation, in the Pregnancy section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among omega-3 supplements.

5/24/2024

Fluoride Risk During Pregnancy?

A recent study suggested a link between higher fluoride exposure during late pregnancy and an increased risk of certain behavior problems in offspring, although there are notable caveats. See our article about fluoride and ADHD for details.

Get more information about fluoride in our article about toothpaste.

11/01/2022

Coffee & Children’s Height

A recent study linked coffee intake during pregnancy to slightly lower height of children. Learn more in the pregnancy section of our CL Answer about the effects of coffee.

8/22/2024

Iron During Pregnancy

How much iron, if any, should be taken during pregnancy? Find out what a recent review concluded in the What It Does section of our Iron Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for iron.

8/29/2024

Fish Oil to Prevent Eczema?

Taking fish oil during pregnancy may decrease, or greatly increase, the risk of eczema in offspring depending on the mother’s genes, according to a recent study. Get the details in the During pregnancy: Effects on Children section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for fish oil.

10/24/2024

Omega-3 Supplements & Hemorrhage Risk

Many experts recommend intake of the omega-3’s EPA and DHA during pregnancy, but this may not be advisable during late pregnancy, as a new study found such intake to be associated with increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among fish oil supplements.

Also see our Top Picks among prenatal multivitamins.

11/18/2022

Is Chamomile Tea Safe?

A CL member asked if chamomile tea is safe to drink. It’s generally safe in moderation, but there are concerns with drinking large amounts and with regular consumption during pregnancy. For details, see the Chamomile tea section in our CL Answer about supplements for improving sleep.

3/10/2023

Fish Oil for Infertility?

Can supplementing with fish oil improve the likelihood of pregnancy among women with PCOS-related infertility? Find out what a recent study showed in the Infertility section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for fish oil supplements.

6/14/2024

Vitamin A Caution During Pregnancy

Women who are pregnant are being advised to minimize intake of vitamin A in the retinol form (as found in some supplements and in liver), as discussed in the Concerns & Cautions section of our Vitamin A Supplements Review.

4/21/2023

Prenatal Vitamin D

Does taking vitamin D during pregnancy help prevent asthma in offspring? Find out in the Asthma section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review.

Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

6/02/2023

Biotin Caution With Lab & At-Home Tests

High doses of biotin from supplements can interfere with a wide range of laboratory and at-home tests, including those for pregnancy, doping, COVID, and heart attacks. Get the details in the Biotin section of our B Vitamin Supplements Review.

Also see: Which vitamins and supplements should be stopped before getting blood work and laboratory tests?

12/16/2024

Vitamin D & Child Bone Density

Does supplementing with vitamin D during pregnancy increase bone mineral density in the child? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for vitamin D.

1/06/2025

Which Prenatals Have The Right Stuff?

Many prenatal vitamins may not correct nutrient deficits that occur in pregnancy, according to a recent study. Find out which products are closest to providing the right ingredients in the Prenatal section of our Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review.

4/03/2025

Fish Oil & Preterm Labor

Fish oil – particularly the omega-3 fatty acid DHA – may reduce the risk of preterm labor but this depends on when it is consumed, according to the latest evidence. Find out more in the Pregnancy section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among fish oil supplements.

12/13/2020

How Important Is Prenatal Vitamin D?

Does high-dose vitamin D during pregnancy improve motor skills and cognition in offspring? Learn what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

12/02/2017

Autism Risk With Low Vitamin D

Babies born with very low blood levels of vitamin D are more likely to be autistic, according to a new study. This is consistent with a study published last year showing a higher rate of autistic children in mothers with very low vitamin D blood levels during pregnancy. Get the details in the "What It Does" section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review >> (Also see our Top Picks among vitamin D supplements.)

1/13/2018

Take Choline When Pregnant

It was recommended last year that women take a choline supplement when pregnant. Adding momentum to this recommendation is a recent study showing that giving pregnant women a larger amount of choline than normally considered adequate resulted in improved information processing speeds in their infants. Currently, choline is not found in most prenatal vitamins. For more information, see the During Pregnancy and Lactation section of the Choline Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks among products.)

5/08/2014

Lycopene May Improve Fertility

A new review of clinical studies reports lycopene supplementation improved measures of sperm health in men and increased pregnancy rates. For details, as well as our tests of lycopene supplements, see the updated Lycopene Supplements Review >>   

3/07/2015

Vitamin D Helps in Pregnancy

A new study showed that giving vitamin D to women with low levels of vitamin D resulted in a dramatic reduction in pre-term labor, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes compared to untreated women. For details, see the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>

8/09/2019

Vitamin D During Pregnancy

Does giving expectant mothers a high dose of vitamin D reduce the risk of tooth defects in their children? Find out in the What It Does section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

3/15/2016

Vitamin D and MS

A study found that children born to women significantly deficient in vitamin D during pregnancy were much more likely to develop multiple sclerosis as adults. For details, see the "What It Does" section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>

11/16/2018

Probiotic Lowers Eczema Risk in Children

The risk of eczema in children was reduced by 54% when a specific probiotic was taken by mothers during pregnancy and then by their infants, according to a new study. The probiotic also reduced the incidence of gestational diabetes among the mothers. For details, see the What It Does section of the Probiotic Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks for probiotics.)

2/25/2020

Vitamin D for Mom Affects Baby's Bones

Taking high-dose versus very-low-dose vitamin D during pregnancy led to greater bone density in offspring, according to a recent study. But, there are important caveats. Get the details in the What It Does section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

1/06/2013

Vitamin D and Pregnancy

A recent study shows that low levels of vitamin D in pregnant women are associated with a higher risk of babies born small for their gestational age. For details, see the update in the Vitamin D Supplements Review, which includes our tests of vitamin D supplements and extensive information about the use of vitamin D. More >>

2/05/2012

Fish Oil During Pregnancy Reduces Allergy in Infants

Last year we reported important findings from a study of fish oil given to pregnant women. A further analysis of that study shows another benefit of daily fish oil for pregnant women -- their babies have nearly a 40% lower risk of egg allergies. A lower risk of eczema was also found, although this association did not hold after adjusting the data for certain factors. See the update to the Fish Oil Supplements Review, which includes details on this study, the type and amount of fish oil taken, and our latest product tests.

9/06/2017

Lower Cognitive Function in Kids Linked to High Prenatal Folic Acid

Children of mothers who took high amounts of folic acid around the time of pregnancy had lower cognitive and verbal scores when tested at 4 to 5 years of age, according to a new study. Similarly, as we reported last year, pregnant women with higher levels of folate (from folic acid) had offspring with higher rates of autism. While it is important that pregnant women get a moderate amount of folic acid to prevent spinal cord defects, higher amounts should be avoided. See the Folate section of the B Vitamin Supplements Review for details.