Pregnancy is full of excitement—and questions. From pregnancy safe foods to activities you should avoid for the next 40 weeks, we have your guide to what’s safe and what’s not. 

Nix Six Flags trips until after D-day. You may think hopping on a thrill ride is no big deal when your babe is only the size of a fig— and it’s true he’s well-cushioned by your amniotic fluid—but there’s still a risk to your placenta. “As with car accidents, roller coaster rides’ sudden movements are associated with a condition called placental abruption,” says Sean Daneshmand, M.D., a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the San Diego Perinatal Center. “This can happen when the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall, potentially having major negative effects on your pregnancy outcome.” You also shouldn’t stand in line for too long, since it may up your chances of developing deep vein thrombosis in your legs. Instead, hang on a shady bench, and join in on gentle larks like It’s a Small World.Verdict:   Just don’t

You’re all clear for down-there maintenance, but because you have more blood flowing to your skin during pregnancy—especially in your pubic area—you’ll probably be more sensitive to tugging. To avoid making an already painful experience more so, apply witch hazel, a natural antiseptic that can help soothe irritated skin, before and after waxing. “It might also prevent infection and reduce irritation and redness,” says David Bank, M.D., director at The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery in Mount Kisco, N.Y. Prefer going totally hairless and wonder if a Brazilian gets the go-ahead? Don’t worry. “For a pregnant woman, a Brazilian bikini wax is as safe as a conventional one,” Bank says, “but I do recommend that patients who are expecting consult with their OB beforehand.”Verdict:   Perfectly safe

Tuna does contain some mercury, but you can safely eat one 6-ounce serving (a typical can) of chunk light tuna up to six times per month or white albacore up to three times per month, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Fish is key to a pregnancy diet—it’s full of omega-3 fatty acids, which help with Baby’s neurological development. Just watch your intake: “Mercury can damage the fetus’s developing nervous system,” says Miriam Erick, R.D., a high-risk obstetric dietitian at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and author of Take Two Crackers and Call Me in the Morning! A Real-Life Guide for Surviving Morning Sickness. To keep track of your mercury consumption, check the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Mercury Calculator.Verdict:   Proceed cautiously

If you’re hankering for the surf and turf on date night, have at it. “The concern is lobster’s mercury content, which ranks in the ‘moderate’ category,” explains Bridget Swinney, R.D., author of Eating Expectantly: Practical Advice for Healthy Eating Before, During and After Pregnancy. Studies show that high levels of the metal can not only cause problems for your nervous system and kidneys, but can also damage a baby’s developing brain, hearing and vision in the womb. An average fully cooked lobster tail yields about four to six ounces of meat—totally within the American Pregnancy Association’s recommended limit of six six-ounce servings per month of fish with moderate levels of mercury. To dial down the risk, Swinney recommends seeking out warm-water varieties, such as spiny or rock, which contain about half as much mercury as their cold-water cousins from Maine. Now the question becomes: How do you use those stupid crackers again?Verdict:   Proceed cautiously

We totally understand wanting chompers as bright as your maternal glow, but it’s best to hold off on bleaching treatments—professional and over-the-counter—until your little one arrives. “The chemicals created during the procedure can corrode tissue cells, and we don’t know what damage they may do to a developing baby if you swallow them accidentally,” explains Elisa Mello, D.D.S., a cosmetic and reconstructive dentist based in New York City. To safely remove stains, combine equal parts strawberries and baking soda in a blender, then dab the resulting mixture onto teeth. Let it sit for five minutes before rinsing. The malic acid in the fruit and the mild abrasive of the sodium bicarbonate work together to break down stains naturally, Mello explains. If you’d rather not DIY, you’ll be glad to know that mainstream whitening toothpastes made with baking soda are totally safe for preggos. Smile!Verdict:   Just don’t

Breathe, mama: You’re in the clear for these. In fact, it’s quitting them that could get you in trouble. “Severe or poorly controlled asthma increases the risk for several complications, including poor fetal growth and preterm birth,” explains Andrew Satin, M.D., director of the department of gynecology and obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Make an appointment with your OB early in your first trimester to assess your condition and whether you should adjust your medications to prevent flare-ups. Satin also notes that identifying and eliminating triggers goes a long way toward reducing the frequency of asthma attacks, so do your best to avoid tobacco smoke and allergens, such as pet dander and mildew.Verdict:   Perfectly safe