Exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding

While you're pregnant, the things you come in contact with (also called exposures) may have an effect on your growing baby. Below, you can find information on common exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or midwife or contact MotherToBaby if you have questions about exposures during pregnancy.

Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs during pregnancy

No amount of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is safe during pregnancy.

Learn more

Marijuana (cannabis) and pregnancy

Marijuana (cannabis) isn’t recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Learn more

Have more questions?

MotherToBaby provides free, confidential, and accurate information for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or thinking about getting pregnant or having a baby. They also answer questions healthcare providers may have.

Most healthcare providers aren’t experts in teratology (the study of birth defects from exposures to different things). MotherToBaby experts answer questions about how different things may cause problems during pregnancy or harm your baby. Call MotherToBaby if you have questions about:

Alcohol
Beauty products and cosmetics
Cannabis or marijuana
Chemicals and cleaning products
Deli meats
Drugs
Essential oils
Exercise and recreational sports
Fillers or Botox
Health problems or conditions
Medications
Painting your nursery
Pets
Smoking or vaping
Supplements, vitamins, and herbals
Vaccines
Zika
And more…

Baby Your Baby TV segments

Listen to what health experts in Utah have to say. Baby Your Baby experts share their knowledge on KUTV2 every Friday during the noon news.

Baby Your Baby: Herbals and supplements in pregnancy and breastfeeding interview

Baby Your Baby: Mood medications in pregnancy

Baby Your Baby: Diabetes and pregnancy interview

Podcasts

Baby Your Baby podcast
Listen to what health experts in Utah have to say. Baby Your Baby experts share their knowledge on the Baby Your Baby podcast.

Listen

MotherToBaby podcast
Host Chris Stallman, a mom-of-four, genetic counselor, and MotherToBaby information specialist, answers your questions about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Chris and her guest experts take listeners’ questions and do a deep dive to offer insight into the safety and risk of many different types of exposures that someone who is pregnant or breastfeeding may experience.

Listen

MotherToBaby fact sheets

MotherToBaby's fact sheets summarize available scientific information and answer frequently asked questions about many common exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The fact sheets are meant for general information purposes and should not replace the advice of a healthcare provider.

Fact sheet topics include:

Medicine and prescription drugs
Illegal drugs
Beauty products and cosmetic treatments
Health problems and conditions, infections, and diseases
Vaccines
And more!

Learn more

MotherToBaby blog

Everyone wants to know what’s best for their baby, especially when it comes to knowing how to reduce your risk to things that may be harmful to your baby. MotherToBaby's blog will provide you a great foundation to learn more about whatever topic you’re looking for.