The DouGina Pregnancy Series
A complete, phase-by-phase guide covering trying to conceive through postpartum — what to eat, what to avoid, safe teas, and recipes for every stage.
The DouGina Pregnancy Series
A Complete Phase-by-Phase Guide — From TTC Through Postpartum
Before you begin: This series is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your OB-GYN, midwife, or healthcare provider about your specific situation.
This series breaks down the full journey into focused guides — one phase at a time. Whether you're just starting to try, deep in your first trimester, or figuring out breastfeeding, you'll find what you need in the guide for your stage.
Each page covers what to eat, what to avoid, what to do, which teas are appropriate and why, and recipes designed for that phase.
---## 📖 The Series
| Phase | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Trying to Conceive (TTC) | Fertility nutrition for women and men, cycle tracking, lifestyle prep |
| 🤢 First Trimester — Weeks 1–13 | Neural tube formation, morning sickness, what's critical right now |
| 🌟 Second Trimester — Weeks 14–27 | Energy returns, rapid growth, bone-building nutrients |
| 🏁 Third Trimester — Weeks 28–40 | Brain development sprint, heartburn, preparing for labor |
| 🤱 Postpartum & Breastfeeding | Recovery, milk supply, the fourth trimester and beyond |
| 🍵 Complete Tea Guide | Every pregnancy-relevant tea — safe, avoid, and why |
| 📋 Quick Reference Card | Universal avoids, always-include foods, and calorie guide |
| 💊 Prenatal Supplements Guide | DHA, choline, best prenatal picks, and a minimal-pill-count stack |
🔗 Looking for the Full Guide?
The complete guide (all phases on a single page) is available here: The DouGina Pregnancy & TTC Guide
📋 Quick Reference Summary
🔴 Universal Avoids — All Phases of Pregnancy
- Alcohol — no safe amount during pregnancy
- High-mercury fish: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, bigeye tuna
- Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood
- Unpasteurized cheese, juice, or milk
- Deli meats (unless heated until steaming)
- Caffeine over 200mg/day
- Smoking
- Hot tubs and saunas
- Raw sprouts
- Unsafe herbal teas: pennyroyal, black cohosh, blue cohosh, dong quai, motherwort, mugwort, yarrow, wormwood, licorice root
🟢 Always Include — All Phases
- Prenatal vitamin with folate, iron, DHA, and iodine
- Plenty of water
- Lean protein at every meal
- Dark leafy greens daily
- Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts)
- Safe herbal teas in moderation: ginger, rooibos, nettle leaf
📊 Calorie Guide
| Phase | Extra Calories Needed |
|---|---|
| TTC | Maintain healthy weight; no extra needed |
| First Trimester | ~0–100 extra (baby is tiny; nausea often reduces intake anyway) |
| Second Trimester | ~340 extra/day |
| Third Trimester | ~450 extra/day |
| Breastfeeding | ~400–500 extra/day |
→ For the full standalone quick reference: Quick Reference Card
Last updated: June 2026 | DouGina.com | Not medical advice — always consult your healthcare provider