Is it okay to drink ginger tea when you're pregnant?

Small amounts of fresh ginger are probably okay, but large amounts of ginger may contribute to contractions of the uterus, and this may be more pronounced in women who have had a miscarriage. Ginger seems to stimulate circulation in the pelvis and is sometimes used to bring on a menstrual period. One or two cups of ginger tea a day is probably fine, although for a woman who has suffered miscarriages I would recommend avoiding it altogether in the first trimester.

There have not been many scientific studies of the effects of herbs in pregnancy, so we really do not "know" what is safe and what is not. Much of the information on natural remedies and pregnancy is anecdotal, meaning it has been passed down by word of mouth and not derived from rigorous scientific studies. Many of the references I use for natural remedies list things that should not be used in pregnancy without giving a good explanation.

My feeling on herbs -- or anything else -- in pregnancy is to be extra careful. Never use an herb without first discussing it with your doctor. In general, if I find any source that suggests a particular herb should not be used by a pregnant woman, even if I cannot find a scientific study to back that up, I will not let my patient use it. If I can't find any information one way or the other, I suggest it be avoided.