Don’t feel bad about not eating liver.

Liver is an excellent source of iron, but with current practices in the animal industry, it should be avoided by pregnant women in the first half of pregnancy due to high levels of retinol (Vitamin A) typically added to increase animal productivity and reproduction. You might be thinking “aren’t I supposed to be increasing vitamin A?” You would generally be right, but excessive vitamin A in the form of retinol can be toxic to your developing baby. (A serving of liver has 18 times the amount of vitamin A recommended for pregnant women). You should also pass on the cod liver oil, unless specifically recommended by your doctor or midwife. The risk of teratogenic effects from retinol passes after the first half of pregnancy, and at any point in pregnancy, you don’t need to worry about getting too much Vitamin A through vegetable sources, eggs, or dairy products.