Studies show that getting more than 150–200 milligrams (about 1–2 cups of coffee) of caffeine a day during pregnancy may not be healthy. High amounts of caffeine during pregnancy has been linked to problems with a baby's growth and development.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women limit their caffeine consumption to less than 200 mg (about two, six-ounce cups) per day.
The researchers noted that caffeine is believed to cause blood vessels in the uterus and placenta to constrict, which could reduce the blood supply to the fetus and inhibit growth.
The World Health Organization has acknowledged studies that suggest excess intake of caffeine may be associated with restricted growth, reduced birth weight, preterm birth or stillbirth. It recommends that pregnant women consuming more than 300mg per day should cut back.
During pregnancy, all drinks with significant levels of caffeine such as coffee, cola and energy drinks should be avoided. It is best to switch to decaffeinated drinks or drinks without caffeine There is no known safe level of caffeine whilst you are pregnant.
Use tea to keep your morning routine
If you're still craving a warm cup of something once you've hit your caffeine limit, consider a caffeine-free tea, such as chamomile, ginger, or rooibos, to keep your morning ritual intact.
We're here to share some good news. You do not have to give up coffee while you're pregnant. You can still indulge in a little pumpkin spice latte, cold brew, or shot of espresso, in moderate amounts.
Hot chocolate and cocoa are safe during pregnancy. Be sure to double-check if ingredients like milk or cream are pasteurized, and watch your caffeine content. We'll guide you through everything you need to know about consuming hot chocolate during pregnancy and provide some delicious ideas for chocolatey drinks.
You might notice symptoms like light bleeding, spotting, cramps, or bloating around week 3 when the egg implants into your uterus.
Recommendations for pregnancy
The recommended limit in Australia is a maximum of 200mg caffeine per day. This would be equivalent to 1 cup of strong espresso style coffee, 3 cups of instant coffee, 4 cups of medium strength tea, 4 cups of cocoa or hot chocolate or 4 cans of cola.
The current NHS guidelines recommend that pregnant women should have less than 200mg a day. This is about 2 cups of instant coffee.
You don't have to give up caffeine while you're pregnant (ACOG 2010, FSA 2008, Jahanfar and Jaafar 2015, NHS 2015). However, you should try to cut down if you usually have more than 200mg of caffeine a day.
Thus, maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy likely leads to accumulation of caffeine in the fetus's brain, which might affect early development and later childhood outcomes.
Despite their widespread popularity, not all teas are deemed safe for pregnancy. Caffeinated teas like black, green, white, matcha, and chai teas are generally considered safe. However, their intake may need to be limited to avoid ingesting excessive amounts of caffeine. Most herbal teas should be avoided.
Yes. The Food Standards Agency recommends that pregnant women shouldn't take more than 200mg of caffeine a day. A can of Coca‑Cola Classic contains 32mg of caffeine and a can of Diet Coke contains 42mg.
At a Glance
Your soon-to-be fetus is still a cluster of cells that are growing and multiplying. It's about the size of a pinhead. It takes about four days for your fertilized egg — now dubbed a blastocyst — to reach your uterus and another two to three days to implant.
Mineral water, tonic water, water from plastic bottles, juices, smoothies, and sweetened carbonated drinks are all safe to drink during pregnancy in moderation, while coffee and tea are safe as long as they're limited. The drinks to categorically avoid during pregnancy include alcohol, unpasteurized milk, and kombucha.
Grapes. This one is a bit up in the air, but it is sometimes advised that women avoid grapes during their pregnancy. This is because grapes contain resveratrol, a toxic compound that could cause poisoning or other pregnancy complications.
If you do start having cravings, it'll probably be in your first trimester (it could be as early as 5 weeks into pregnancy). They'll get stronger in your second trimester, and then eventually stop in your third trimester. Cravings come in all shapes and sizes. Some women crave fatty foods like chips.
Consuming large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage or low birthweight, so it's best to limit your intake of caffeine. Caffeine is a chemical found in many foods and drinks, including coffee, tea and cola.
Yes, you can still enjoy a mug of coffee every now and then during your pregnancy. Just make sure that you don't have more than 200mg of caffeine in a day. That's about two mugs of instant coffee or one mug of filter coffee.