Q&A: Is it safe to eat parsley while pregnant?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I have read that pregnant women should not eat parsley. Is this true? If it is true, what is the reason?

Oil from parsley, when consumed in heavy amounts, can stimulate contractions of the uterine muscles and possibly result in preterm labor. Also, the infant can develop a hemoglobin problem to his or her blood that can be very dangerous.

But...a sprinkle on potatoes or elsewhere shouldn't come close to these amounts, or you'd be seeing parsley warnings all over your ob/gyn's office.

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