During pregnancy, many women have questions about what is safe to do and what is not. For that matter, caffeine during pregnancy has always sparked a lot of debates. Many women are still not sure if it is safe to drink coffee during pregnancy. Some people say that it is only permissible in small amounts, while others say that it should be avoided completely. This article focuses on whether caffeine during pregnancy is safe to drink and what are the side effects of drinking coffee while pregnant.
In This Article
Is coffee safe to drink when pregnant?
There is no doubt that pregnant women should be very careful about what they eat and drink. Coffee affects pregnant women in more ways than one. Expecting moms need to be aware of the amount of caffeine their bodies take in throughout their pregnancy. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and even chocolate. There are mixed opinions on whether it is safe to drink caffeine while pregnant or not. While coffee has its benefits, there’s no question that the best coffee for pregnant comes with risks for pregnancy. Most expectant mothers are aware of the fact that caffeine can affect their pregnancies, as it does for most women.
According to some studies, an intake of up to two cups of coffee per day poses no danger to the baby or mother. However, pregnant women are told not to drink too much caffeine in thefirst two trimesters because it might harm their developing fetus. Coffee and pregnancy first trimester together might not lead to positive results. Health care providers typically advise pregnant women to avoid consuming too much caffeine because it may cause physical and neurological problems in unborn babies.
How much amount of coffee is safe during pregnancy?
Caffeine is a stimulant that helps increase alertness, improve feelings of well-being, and supports fat burning. In addition, caffeine can help reduce headaches caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain during apnea episodes. Most pregnant women can safely consume 200 mg of caffeine a day though some believe the recommendation should be less for pregnant women.
On daily basis, pregnant women can intake once a cup of coffee to avoid any side effects to the baby. This means, if your limit for caffeine during pregnancy is between 150–200 milligrams, then you might not face any harmful effects from it. Nevertheless, you must know that caffeine content varies per substance. Here is the approximate amount of caffeine in different substances:
- Coffee: Caffeine content in 1 cup or 8 ounces of brewed coffee is approximately 120 mg.
- Tea: Caffeine is included in roughly 47 milligrams per cup of black tea.
- Espresso: Caffeine content is around 65 mg per shot or 1.5 ounces.
- Soda: Caffeine content in a 12-ounce can of regular or diet dark cola is around 40 mg.
- Energy Drinks: An energy drink includes roughly 95 mg of caffeine per cup (8 ounces).
- Chocolate: Caffeine content per ounce of dark chocolate is around 24 mg.
What are the effects of caffeine during pregnancy?
Coffee can be enjoyed by many women during their pregnancy, however, there are some specific precautions women should take when drinking coffee during pregnancy. Here, we’ll look at the effects of caffeine during pregnancy, outlining both the perceived risks and the possible benefits.
Risk of Consuming Caffeine:
While most people enjoy the positive effects of caffeine, pregnant women and those who are trying to conceive should be extra careful. Because their bodies metabolize it more slowly, caffeine can raise blood pressure and stress hormone levels in pregnant women and those trying to conceive.
Caffeine consumed by a pregnant woman crosses the placenta and enters the bloodstream of the baby growing in her womb. This raises concerns regarding potential adverse effects on fetal growth and development. Besides, some research indicates that coffee and pregnancy first trimester has been linked to complications such as miscarriages, low birth weight, and pre-term birth.
Additionally, some common side-effects of consuming caffeine during pregnancy might lead to increased heart rate, anxiety, irritability or restlessness, nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal problems (e.g., heartburn), headaches, and insomnia can occur.
Benefits of Caffeine:
If you consume caffeine in a limited amount during pregnancy, it might not pose any concern or risk for you and your baby. Generally, people like to consume caffeine to seek its benefits. Caffeine might help you feel more awake and energized. Especially, during times when you may be experiencing fatigue or stress, such as long periods of studying or waking up early in the morning for work.
If you have a headache caused by reduced blood flow in the brain, caffeine may also relieve headache pain. This is because caffeine constricts blood vessels and promotes blood flow to the brain.
What is the best alternative to coffee when pregnant?
When you’re pregnant, it’s natural to worry about the effects of caffeine on your baby. If you must kick the habit, we recommend doing so gradually. So for those of us who are expecting, let’s take a look at the best alternative to coffee when pregnant:
- Hot water
- Herbal tea
- Chai Latte
- Mint and Lemon tea
- Try chicory
- Rooibos
- Decaf coffee
- Homemade energy drinks
Above-given are some alternatives to coffee for pregnant women, however, it is always recommended to consult your doctor before switching to anything new in your diet. This will ensure that you are not intaking anything that can pose an adverse effect on your or your baby’s health.
Conclusion:
No doubts, caffeine consumption is a controversial topic during pregnancy — and for good reason. Although most studies..as natural caffeine-free alternatives. No matter how excellent your coffee equipment is in producing that wonderful cup of joe, safety should be your top priority. Fortunately for those coffee lovers, there are also many healthy alternatives to coffee that can help ease the transition away from caffeine during pregnancy.
