10 commonly searched pregnancy questions

It’s common for people to turn to the internet when they have a medical question. When you’re pregnant, your body goes through so many different changes that it can be hard to know what’s normal and when you should talk to your doctor. As it turns out, we all ask a lot of the same questions!

Here’s what women across the country are asking about pregnancy:

1. Can pregnant women drink coffee?

When you’re pregnant, it feels like you sacrifice a lot to grow a healthy baby. But you don’t need to give up some of the simple things, like a morning cup of coffee, for nine months.

Dr. Chad Martinez, an OBGYN at Intermountain’s Budge Clinic says, “The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends limiting caffeine use to about 200 mg per day, which is about 1-2 cups of coffee.”

As long as you’re not refilling your mug too many times during the day, a cup in the morning should be fine.

3. Is cramping normal during pregnancy?

Pregnancy can be uncomfortable for many women. Between morning sickness, fatigue, heartburn and more, it’s hard to know what’s normal and what isn’t.

In many cases, cramping during pregnancy is normal. The Office on Women’s Health says abdominal aches or pains can be due to your uterus expanding.¹

Dr. Martinez recommends calling your provider if you are experiencing severe cramping, bleeding, or abnormal discharge.

4. What foods should you avoid when you're pregnant?

To keep you and your baby safe, certain things can become risky to eat while you’re pregnant. While this isn’t a comprehensive list of foods women should not eat while pregnant, Dr. Martinez recommends avoiding:

• Raw meat
• Raw fish
• Unpasteurized milk
• Lunch meats
• Unwashed fruits and vegetables
• Soft cheeses

If you’re unsure what you should and shouldn’t eat while pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider.

5. Why can’t pregnant women eat deli meat?

One of the unexpected things pregnant women should avoid eating during pregnancy is deli meat—it seems random, but there’s a good explanation.

“The main reason for this is the potential for listeria, which can be very dangerous in pregnancy,” Dr. Martinez explains. “The chances of getting listeria from lunch meats are probably pretty low, but it’s easy enough to avoid those risks.”

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration says eating something with listeria can cause listeriosis, which is a foodborne illness.² While most people would have food poisoning symptoms, pregnant women can experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery from listeriosis.²

6. Can you take Tylenol when you’re pregnant?

As directed by your doctor, taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) when you’re pregnant is safe, despite myths suggesting otherwise. Dr. Martinez says the ACOG recommends Tylenol for severe pain, moderate pain, and fever. In fact, you should take it if you experience these symptoms.

The ACOG website explains, “Headaches, fever, and pain are important to treat during pregnancy. Some problems, especially fever, can be dangerous for both you and your fetus. Taking acetaminophen as directed by your ob-gyn can keep fever, headaches, and pain under control.”³

If you’re concerned about taking Tylenol when you’re pregnant, have a conversation with your doctor. You can make an informed decision about treatment together.

7. Can you get Botox when you’re pregnant?

Getting Botox when you’re pregnant is a decision you and your doctor should discuss. Dr. Martinez says most doctors will generally recommend against getting Botox if you’re pregnant. If you get Botox injections for medical concerns, you should talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks.

He says a lot of studies haven’t shown an increase in fetal anomalies or miscarriage, but it’s a conversation you should have with your doctor or provider.

8. Can you dye your hair when you’re pregnant?

If your luscious locks don’t come naturally, you don’t have to take a break from the salon for nine months. Dyeing your hair when you’re pregnant isn’t a concern based on the studies and evidence available, according to the ACOG.

“There are not a lot of studies that recommend for or against it, and less than 1% of the dye is actually absorbed into the body, so it’s considered safe,” Dr. Martinez explains.

9. Is pregnancy nose real?

Those viral videos you see on social media of women showing their nose changing during pregnancy aren’t necessarily exaggerated. Dr. Martinez says the hormones in your body, especially estrogen, cause different parts of your body to swell during pregnancy. This includes your nose—something social media users call “pregnancy nose.”

He notes that pregnant women may also feel more congested in their nose for the same reason.

10. When should you schedule your first doctor’s appointment when you’re pregnant?

When you find out you’re pregnant, your first instinct may be to make an OB appointment right away. But unless you have bleeding or other concerns, you might be okay to wait a few weeks.

Dr. Martinez says his clinic typically starts seeing pregnant patients at eight weeks, because that’s when you can reliably see the baby on an ultrasound.

Of course, this can be differ by clinic, so call your provider to see what they recommend for you.

Get answers from your care team

Pregnancy is a roller coaster of emotions, changes, and unknowns. But talking to a trusted healthcare provider can help you understand what to expect. Browse local providers on our website or log in to your member account.

If you’re looking for a new health insurance plan that accommodates your growing family’s needs, visit our plans page to find the right one for you.