When you find out you’re pregnant, your “Can I?” list seems to grow overnight. Can I have my morning latte? Is it safe to get a vaccine? Which supplements actually matter? At Cheyenne Women’s Clinic, we strictly follow the evidence-based pregnancy safety guidelines set by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). As we move through 2026, we are continuing to implement ACOG’s latest safety updates to ensure you and your baby are protected.
Here is the clinical “why” behind the most common questions we hear in our Cheyenne office.
One of the most frequent questions we receive is about the Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis) vaccine. According to ACOG’s vaccination guidelines, you should receive this vaccine during every pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks.
The “Why”: When you receive the shot in your third trimester, your body creates protective antibodies that pass through the placenta to your baby.
Passive Immunity: This provides your newborn with “passive immunity,” protecting them from whooping cough (pertussis) during the first few months of life before they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves.
New for recent seasons, ACOG recommends the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine for pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy if the baby will be born during RSV season (typically fall through spring).
Infant Safety: Like the Tdap, this is designed to protect your infant from severe lung infections and hospitalizations immediately after birth.
If you’re a coffee lover, there is good news: you don’t have to give it up entirely. ACOG’s recommendations state that moderate caffeine consumption—defined as less than 200 milligrams per day—does not appear to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage or preterm birth.
What does 200mg look like? This is roughly the amount in one 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee.
The “Why”: Caffeine crosses the placenta. Because a baby’s metabolism is still developing, it takes them much longer to process it. Keeping your intake under the 200mg limit ensures your baby’s heart rate and sleep patterns remain steady.
Pro Tip: If you find that cutting back on caffeine is causing withdrawal symptoms, read our guide on managing Pregnancy Headaches.
While a prenatal vitamin with at least 600 mcg of Folic Acid is the baseline, ACOG’s current updates place a high priority on Choline and Vitamin D.
Choline: Essential for fetal brain development and preventing neural tube defects.
Vitamin D: Many women in Wyoming are naturally deficient in Vitamin D due to our climate. It is essential for bone health and immune function.
A Note of Caution: Always consult with your provider before adding individual supplements, as high doses of certain vitamins (like Vitamin A) can be harmful.
“Is this safe to take?” is the most common question we hear regarding over-the-counter medications. While we always recommend checking our full list of Safe Medications during Pregnancy, ACOG recently reaffirmed that Acetaminophen (Tylenol) remains the first-line choice for pain and fever.
For a deeper dive into this, check out our detailed post: Can Pregnant Women Take Acetaminophen? What You Need to Know.
Guidelines change as science evolves, and our team at Cheyenne Women’s Clinic is here to help you navigate those changes. Whether you have questions about Foods to Eat and Avoid or are curious about Using Antidepressants in Pregnancy, we are committed to providing you with the most current, evidence-based care in Wyoming.
Ready for your next prenatal checkup? Contact us today to schedule your appointment or call us at (307) 637-7700.
Bah humbug! If you have some or all of these symptoms, we encourage you to come see us so we can make an accurate diagnosis and identify the best treatment options for fast relief. While over-the-counter treatments are safe and often effective in treating yeast infections, the concentration of antibiotic may not be sufficient for your level of candida overgrowth.
De-stress and get back to the season of cheer and merriment by making an appointment with Cheyenne Women’s Clinic today!
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