How Much Caffeine Intake Is Safe During Pregnancy

How Much Caffeine Pregnant Women Should Take

Pregnancy is both a joyful and challenging journey. You are growing a human in your body, which can be exciting but exhausting. There are so many considerations to keep in mind when you’re pregnant. You must consider what foods you can and cannot eat and what beverages you consume. And yes, that includes tracking how many cups of coffee or tea you drink.

Caffeine consumption during pregnancy has been an ongoing concern in the healthcare community. This article will provide a quick summary and general information regarding the latest studies on how much caffeine is safe to consume during pregnancy.

Please note that the information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy

You’re probably asking yourself, what is a safe amount of caffeine intake for pregnant women? Is drinking a cup of coffee safe, or what about energy drinks? Fear not. You can still enjoy your favorite soft drinks and coffee drinks but with moderate amounts of caffeine.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that pregnant women limit their caffeine consumption to less than 200 mg of caffeine per day, which is about two 6-ounce cups of coffee.

Moderate caffeine consumption (less than 200 mg per day) does not appear to be a significant contributing factor in fetal development, risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, or low birth weight. As mentioned before, when making a health decision or having any questions about maternal caffeine intake, it is a good idea to seek the advice of a doctor.

So, what exactly is the impact of caffeinated beverages on a developing fetus? Everything a pregnant mother eats and drinks crosses through her placenta onto the baby. The mother’s body does metabolize caffeine, but small amounts may pass to the baby.

What Research Studies Say

Some studies suggest that high caffeine consumption may be a major contributing factor to a slightly lower birth weight. Per the NIH: “Our findings suggest that even low caffeine intake during pregnancy can have long-term effects on child growth,” said Dr. Grantz.

“Importantly, the height differences we observed are small—less than an inch—and further research is needed to determine if these differences have any effects on child health. Pregnant people should discuss caffeine consumption with their healthcare providers.”

Maternal caffeine consumption can also temporarily raise the baby’s heart rate and blood pressure. High caffeine levels can interfere with their developing sleep cycles. This is why keeping track of your caffeine intake is a good idea.

Caffeine content can be found in certain foods and other drinks, so it’s essential to read the labels carefully and note how many milligrams of caffeine you are consuming. High amounts of caffeine can be found in green tea, dark chocolate, regular coffee, instant coffee, black tea, and even coffee-flavored ice cream.

One serving of Hershey’s 1.4 oz dark chocolate bar contains 25 mg of caffeine. One serving size (2/3 cup) of Häagen-Dazs Coffee Ice Cream contains 20 mg. Even a cup of decaf coffee contains a small amount of caffeine. Add a cup of tea or coffee, and you could be approaching the recommended amount of total caffeine in a day.

How To Use Caffeine In Pregnancy

You can find several previous studies on the impact of caffeine intake during pregnancy. You can read the analysis of observational studies and articles that have been written on intrauterine growth restriction and its impact on a baby’s nervous system. New research on premature birth and causes for a higher rate of miscarriage is released almost daily.

With every new study, we are learning more, but it can be overwhelming. So yes, we get that there’s enough evidence that large amounts of caffeine can have adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. However, by following a few simple tips, you can rest easy and enjoy your time growing a baby.

1. Switch to some common decaffeinated drinks. If you love coffee, you can still enjoy the taste with decaf coffee. As mentioned before, decaf coffee contains considerably less caffeine than regular coffee, but you will still want to limit the amount of cups you drink.

You can try herbal teas with safe artificial sweeteners if you’re a tea drinker. However, it is recommended to avoid herbal products, especially in the first trimester, so please consult your healthcare provider about what’s safe.

2. Opt for smaller portions to avoid high levels of caffeine. Go for a small cup of coffee instead of a large one, or snack on a few dark chocolate-covered nuts instead of eating an entire chocolate bar.

3. Staying hydrated is always a good tip. Stick to common foods that contain a lot of water, like watermelon and other fresh fruits. Choose common drinks like sparkling water, Gatorade, or types of drinks with important minerals.

4. There is so much information out there about the effects of caffeine during pregnancy and even while breastfeeding (yes, a small amount can pass into your breast milk). Whether it’s the increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects, potential risks of having smaller babies, preterm delivery, the list goes on.

You can spook yourself by going down the Google rabbit hole, but you don’t have to.

Final Words:

Pregnancy is a beautiful experience, and every pregnancy is unique. Some mothers are more sensitive to caffeine than others. Just listen to your body and baby. You are already watching what you eat, and by avoiding high caffeine intake, you’ll be fine. Enjoy your pregnancy, knowing you’re making good health choices for yourself and your baby.