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Black Cohosh
Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Avoid Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, formerly Cimicifuga racemosa) contains triterpene glycosides, isoflavones, and other bioactive compounds. It has been widely used for menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes and mood disturbances, due to its potential effects on hormone-sensitive tissues. For individuals trying to conceive,…
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Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum, also known as Tulsi) is a revered herb in Ayurvedic medicine with multiple bioactive compounds including eugenol, rosmarinic acid, carvacrol, linalool, and various ursolic and oleanolic acids. It has, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. For individuals trying to…
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Milk Thistle
Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) contains silymarin, a complex of flavonolignans including silybin, silydianin, and silychristin, with silybin being the most biologically active component. It has been widely used for liver protection and as an antioxidant due to its ability to stabilize cell…
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St. John’s Wort
Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) contains multiple bioactive compounds including hypericin, hyperforin, and flavonoids. It is widely used for mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders due to its effects on neurotransmitter systems, particularly serotonin. For individuals trying to conceive, St.…
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Fenugreek
Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds contain various bioactive compounds including diosgenin, trigonelline, galactomannan, and 4-hydroxyisoleucine. It has been traditionally used to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and most notably, to increase milk production in lactating individuals. For individuals trying to conceive, fenugreek receives a…
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Collagen Peptides
Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Safe Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Collagen peptides are protein supplements derived from animal sources (typically bovine, marine, or chicken). They consist primarily of the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline – nutrients naturally present in many foods. The FDA categorizes collagen supplements as food products rather than…
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Ashwagandha
Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Avoid Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) lacks sufficient safety data for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health specifically notes that ashwagandha is not recommended during pregnancy as some evidence suggests it may cause miscarriage. No clinical studies…
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Pregnancy Hormone & Progesterone Levels in Early Pregnancy: What’s Normal and What’s Not
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction>HCG: The Pregnancy Indicator>Progesterone: The Pregnancy Maintainer>Understanding Test Results Early pregnancy can be an uncertain time, especially if you experience symptoms like bleeding or pain. Your healthcare provider uses two important hormones—human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone—to help assess your pregnancy. This guide explains these hormones in simple terms and what their…
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Trying to Conceive After a Pregnancy Loss
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction>Return of Menstruation & Ovulation>The Emotional Journey>Preparing for Another Pregnancy If you’ve experienced a miscarriage and are considering trying to conceive again, you likely have questions about timing, emotional readiness, and what to expect. Though pregnancy loss is a deeply personal experience, this guide aims to provide evidence-based information while acknowledging the…
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Repeat Cesareans: What You Need to Know
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction>Risks That Increase with Multiple Cesarean>Planning for Future Pregnancies After Multiple Cesareans For many parents who have delivered by cesarean section (C-section), questions about future pregnancies often arise. How many cesareans is too many? What are the risks with each additional surgery? What are uterine windows and scar dehiscence? This article aims…
