Are ginger chews safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about ginger chews during pregnancy?

1. Studies using an average of 1,000 mg of ginger a day during pregnancy have not found an increased chance of birth defects. 1
2. Ginger candies appear on ACOG's short list of ginger forms to try for nausea, alongside capsules, ginger ale made with real ginger, and tea from fresh-grated root. 2
3. Ginger products may help, though a Cochrane review of 41 trials called the evidence limited and inconsistent, with three of the more recent studies favoring ginger over placebo. 3
4. Chews that add vitamin B6 are stacking a second active ingredient: 30 to 75 mg of oral pyridoxine a day has been shown to lower nausea in pregnancy, and the upper intake level in pregnancy is 100 mg a day. 4
5. For chews sold as dietary supplements, the manufacturer rather than FDA is responsible for evaluating safety and labeling before the product goes on sale, and FDA acts only once a product is already on the market. 5

Is ginger chews safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Studies of ginger in pregnancy do not establish how many chews are appropriate when their ginger content is unknown. Review the product label and any added ingredients with your healthcare provider.
• Second trimester. Nausea usually eases here. If you are still working through a bag a day, mention it at your next visit, mostly so someone can look at the total ginger and the total sugar alongside everything else you are taking.
• Third trimester. Ginger can interact with medicines that affect blood pressure or the way blood clots, so flag a daily ginger habit before any scheduled procedure or delivery. Sticky candies also sit on teeth, which matters more if vomiting has already been rough on your enamel.