Manicures and pedicures are perfectly safe for both you and your baby! Your pregnancy hormones will cause your nails to grow longer and stronger, so why not take advantage? If you want to be extra cautious, look for nail polish brands that don’t contain dibutyl phthalate, toluene, or formaldehyde. While traditional nail polish is considered safe during pregnancy, experts do suggest you avoid gel polishes and manicures. The effects of gel manicures during pregnancy hasn’t been widely studied, and the ultraviolet lights used to set the gel is something you want to avoid while pregnant.