Not all products, even so-called natural supplements and oils, are safe to use during pregnancy. Use of any herbal preparation should be discussed beforehand with your obstetrician. Calendula is an herb that you will likely have to avoid while pregnant, as use of it could adversely affect the health of your baby.

Stevia is an artificial sweetener made from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant. It is sweeter than sugar, so less of it is needed to sweeten foods.

Topical retinol is a form of vitamin A you may use to keep your skin clear of pimples and reduce the effects of aging and sun damage. While the product typically might not have any effects other than a little skin redness, if you’re pregnant, retinol may adversely affect your baby.

The medicinal herb vitex, also known by the common names chasteberry and monk's pepper, has been used for hundreds of years as a component of naturopathic medicine. For men, vitex has been used most commonly as an anaphrodisiac, or a product to reduce sex drive.

It is not uncommon to have a blood test during pregnancy, especially if your doctor suspects you are developing high triglycerides. Though it is normal during pregnancy for cholesterol to be elevated, high triglycerides can result in complications.

During pregnancy, the body can become unusually sensitive to herbs, supplements, medicines and other compounds that might ordinarily be safe. Several medicinal herbs may increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, stillbirth and other serious pregnancy-related complications.

Many women become constipated when they are pregnant, which can be due to several reasons. Increasing the amount of fiber in the diet is the first recommended treatment, but several medications can be used instead of changing the diet or used along with a diet change. Docusate sodium is one such medication.

Whether you're trying to conceive or trying not to, it's not unusual to microanalyze your symptoms around the time of your expected period for signs that you might be pregnant. While diarrhea is indeed a potential early sign of pregnancy, it's not a certain indicator -- there are other things that cause loose stools.

Human chorionic gonadotropin, also known as hCG, is the hormone measured by urine and blood pregnancy tests. When you get pregnant, hCG is produced by tissue that will become the placenta.

Emergen-C is a dietary supplement containing vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals. It comes in powered form to be added to water or any beverage. Emergen-C can be purchased in many drugstores, grocery stores and online.

Vitamin A supports the development of your unborn baby’s lungs, heart, eyes, kidneys and bones, as well as the respiratory, circulatory and central nervous system. Vitamin A also has an essential role in resisting and fighting infections and metabolizing fat.

Anemia during pregnancy can lead to complications in the growth and development of the unborn baby, and in the health of the mother as well. A simple finger stick tests iron levels to determine the presence of anemia. If you are found to be anemic, many supplements are available to restore iron.