{"id":29905,"date":"2025-12-31T01:21:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T01:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progyny.com\/?p=29905"},"modified":"2026-01-02T17:18:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T17:18:19","slug":"mercury-and-substances-to-avoid-during-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progyny.com\/education\/pregnancy\/mercury-and-substances-to-avoid-during-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercury and substances to avoid during pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team \u2014 November 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re pregnant, you want to do everything you can to keep your growing baby safe. There\u2019s a lot of advice about what to avoid eating, drinking, or putting in your body, and it can get confusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s walk through which substances to limit or avoid for a healthy pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercury in seafood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some fish and seafood are high in mercury<\/strong>, a type of metal that can cross the placenta when you\u2019re pregnant. This means when you eat food high in mercury, mercury will end up in your baby\u2019s body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High amounts of mercury are dangerous for your growing baby. It can harm their developing brain and nervous system, and may lead to birth defects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use this guide to find out which types of seafood are good choices during pregnancy, and which should be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n \n \n \n
\u2705 Good (low in mercury)<\/th>\n \ud83d\udeab Avoid (high in mercury)<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n\n
\n
    \n
  • Anchovies<\/li>\n
  • Atlantic mackerel<\/li>\n
  • Black sea bass<\/li>\n
  • Catfish<\/li>\n
  • Cod<\/li>\n
  • Crawfish<\/li>\n
  • Flounder<\/li>\n
  • Lobster<\/li>\n
  • Oyster (cooked)<\/li>\n
  • Mackerel<\/li>\n
  • Perch<\/li>\n
  • Salmon<\/li>\n
  • Shrimp<\/li>\n
  • Tilapia<\/li>\n
  • Trout<\/li>\n
  • Tuna<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/td>\n\n
\n