Is ginger safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about ginger during pregnancy?

1. Studies of ginger use in pregnancy haven't found a higher chance of birth defects than the usual background rate. 1
2. Ginger is one of the first options ACOG recommends trying for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, before medication. 2
3. In randomized studies, ginger has been linked to lower nausea scores, typically at doses of 250 mg four times a day. 3
4. Most published studies haven't found a link between ginger and preterm delivery or lower birth weight at the doses tested. 1
5. Herbal products aren't required to prove their safety or purity before going on sale, so the labeled dose may not match what's actually in the bottle, making a standardized supplement the safer bet. 1
6. NIH's center for complementary health notes ginger has been studied for pregnancy-related nausea and that short-term use is well tolerated by most people, with a reminder to involve your obstetric provider before using it in pregnancy. 4

Is ginger safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Ginger is most often used in the first trimester for morning sickness. Studies using about 1,000 mg a day haven't found a higher chance of birth defects, miscarriage, or preterm delivery.
• Second trimester. Nausea usually eases up in the second trimester. Ginger in food and tea is still fine, and it's worth checking in with your clinician if you're still taking a ginger supplement.
• Third trimester. Very high supplement doses could affect how your blood clots, so keep supplement intake modest. If you have a scheduled procedure or delivery, ask about pausing concentrated ginger extract about two weeks beforehand.

Studied ginger regimens in pregnancy