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How we tested nursing bras  I had a baby in October 2021, and cycled through these bras for three months as I nursed, pumped and eventually combination-fed. I was a size 36C before pregnancy, and a 36D toward the end and after. 

With allergy season approaching, and COVID-19 still here, many people are reaching for over-the-counter medication in the hopes of relieving congestion or getting through a cough. What about one of the most popular ones, Mucinex?

Is Mucinex safe during pregnancy? There are a few different kinds of Mucinex (Mucinex, Mucinex D and Mucinex DM, for example) but some of the most common popular products contain guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan. 

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This Auden bra offers a great combination of comfort and support -- not as much as a full coverage option but certainly more than a bralette. I'd describe it as a cross between a sports bra and a traditional bra, with a stretchier fabric and removable padding. This was my go-to bra in the later months of pregnancy when I wanted to be comfortable, but still have something with enough support to wear out in public. It was also easy to access for nursing once the baby arrived. Because it's one of Target's lines, it's also a more affordable option. 

Determining the risk of the other active ingredients found in Mucinex is a little trickier. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works by interfering with the "cough" signal in your brain. Guaifenesin works by loosening the mucus in your chest. There are some reports of a small risk of neural tube defects linked to guaifenesin, but the evidence is inconclusive. It's listed in a report by the American Academy of Family Physicians as "might be unsafe during first trimester." In the same report, dextromethorphan is listed as "appears to be safe in pregnancy," but as is true for many drugs and ingredients, there isn't enough evidence to say conclusively either way.

If you've ever considered taking medicine while pregnant -- or you've had the TV on long enough to hear the commercial line "tell your doctor if you're pregnant or breastfeeding" -- you'll know there's a giant disclaimer that comes with taking anything during pregnancy. Despite the big caveat and lack of medical research on pregnant people, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nine in 10 women will take at least one medicine during pregnancy. 

The best way to figure out your size is to go to a maternity store and have an employee size you in person, Rosenthal said. If you can't do that, you can take your own measurements with a measuring tape at home. Most sellers provide a size chart to help you out. But a general rule of thumb is to take your pregnancy bra size, then add one cup size and subtract one back size, Rosenthal said. 

Pseudoephedrine is a common decongestant, found in Mucinex products such as Mucinex D, that works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages. And it's also one ingredient the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends against during the first trimester due to a small risk of birth defects in the abdominal wall.

As Dr. Robyn Horsager-Boehrer wrote in a post for UT Southwestern Medical Center, avoid medication formulated for multiple symptoms during pregnancy, as they can contain unnecessary amounts of acetaminophen. Also, she writes, natural cough remedies like a spoonful of honey can be just as effective (or more effective) than medication.

Bottom line: Ask your health care provider before taking Mucinex or any cough medicine during pregnancy, so the two of you can weigh the severity of your symptoms with the potential risks (if any) of medication. 

For Dr. Gloria Bachmann, an OB-GYN and the director of the Women's Health Institute at Rutgers University, the rule to follow is the same one she advises all pregnant people stick to, no matter the health concern or question: check with your doctor (or midwife, practitioner or other care provider). This is important not only before you consume a new medication, according to Bachmann, but also to make sure you don't write off a more serious illness as a common cold, allergies or even a mild case of COVID-19.