It’s common knowledge that when pregnant, women need to make significant changes to their lifestyle and diet. Caffeine consumption is an important factor to take into consideration, as excessive consumption can cause harm to the baby. But, what does ‘excessive consumption’ look like, and when, exactly, should you stop drinking coffee when pregnant? It’s a good question without a straightforward answer.
When it comes to pregnant women, the effects of caffeine intake is a contentious issue. Most medical advice agrees that women who are pregnant should limit their caffeine intake to 200 milligrams (mg) per day — that’s equal to one cup of standard drip coffee. Any more than this can cause adverse side-effects such as anxiety, abdominal pain, miscarriage, and preterm labor.
Dr. Abigail Clauw, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan, explains that “studies have found that even when women limit their caffeine intake to the equivalent of two cups of coffee a day, the risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome increases.”
But what if a woman is below the 200 mg limit? Is there still a cause for concern? Dr. Clauw explains that “the benefits of reducing caffeine intake even further desire further study.” Research has also suggested that women should stop drinking coffee from the third trimester onwards as the baby is at its most vulnerable. Jennifer McQuilkin, Associate Professor of the University of Texas and MD, notes “the debate about stopping drinking coffee in the third trimester is an understandable one — no one wants to unnecessarily consume anything that could potentially harm their child.”
It’s important to note that tea, energy drinks, and soft drinks can contain caffeine. When pregnant, it’s not just important to limit coffee intake but all of your caffeine intake as a whole.
Caffeine and Dehydration
Consuming caffeine during pregnancy can also encourage dehydration, another potential risk to the baby’s health. While everyone should be drinking plenty of water — 2 liters per day — pregnant women are recommended to drink even more than this. According to Dr. Clauw, “Caffeine acts as a diuretic, so it’s especially important for mothers to be mindful that drinking coffee will take away from an even greater need for hydration.”
Drinking coffee that’s spiked with sugar and chocolate isn’t ideal either. During pregnancy, women should steer clear of sugar, especially if it’s processed sugar as there’s a link between excessive sugar intake and increased birth weight. On top of that, milk — added to coffee or taken separately — can cause problems. Pasteurized milk may contain listeria whilst raw milk can contain salmonella, both of which can cause serious health risks.
Alternatives to Coffee
If you’re concerned about your coffee consumption, Liz Weinandy, a registered dietitian representing the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, suggests there are some alternatives that could give you a similar effect without the risk of caffeine.
She recommends “decaffeinated coffee as a safe option for pregnant women as well as herbal teas, rooibos tea, and green tea. All of these are low in caffeine and some of them also provide health benefits.” In terms of hydration, there are plenty of fruity and herbal infused waters that can be made in the comfort of your own home. “Adding a few bits of fruit can spruce up your water and make it more exciting to drink”, Liz adds.
Caffeinate Products
If you’re looking for a caffeine hit, there are caffeinated products out there specifically designed to be relevant to pregnant women. There’s MateFit Prenatal Tea, which is made with an organic blend of herbs and contains just 5mg of caffeine for each cup. Also, there are caffeinated under-eye gels which pregnancies swear by for relieving tiredness and dark circles.
Ultimately, when it comes to how much coffee is too much for pregnant women, it’s worth noting that the NHS states that “drinking up to 200mg of caffeine a day (which is the same as two mugs of instant coffee or one mug of filter coffee) is not enough to cause any harm to your baby.”
Summary of Some Research Results
In 2012, a study was conducted on 2,038 pregnant women who drank less than 5 cups of decaffeinated coffee a week and 2,262 pregnant women who drank more than 5 cups of decaffeinated coffee a week. After 8 weeks, the results showed the latter group of women were at the highest risk of fetal loss.
In 2013, another study looked into the effects of caffeine on 187 women in their first trimester of pregnancy. Results showed that women with the highest caffeine intake (more than 200 mg per day) had an increased risk of gestational hypertension and miscarriages.
A final study was conducted in 2016 and included 1,000 women aged 20-45 who drank more than 200mg of caffeine per day. Results showed that the women were at an elevated risk of elective induced preterm labor and fetal growth restriction.
Long-Term Effects of Caffeine Consumption
The jury is still out on the long-term effects of consuming caffeine during pregnancy, though some medical professionals warn pregnant women to be vigilant and aware of their nutrition and lifestyle choices throughout their pregnancy. While there is still much to find out, the message is simple — if you’re pregnant, it’s probably best to stop drinking coffee and make sure your caffeine intake is within a safe limit during pregnancy.
Other Important Considerations
In addition to an increased caffeine intake, it’s important to consider other potential risks to the baby’s health. Smoking and drinking alcohol also have potential adverse effects to the baby’s health and should be avoided altogether. Women should steer clear of any type of recreational drugs, as they have been linked to a number of long-term health problems.
Adequate sleep and exercise are also important for a healthy pregnancy. Although pregnant women are advised to reduce the amount of stress in their lives, too much stress can cause issues with the baby’s development and health. Women should check in with their doctor to ensure their stress levels are in a healthy range.
Managing Morning Sickness and Cravings
Morning sickness is common in pregnant women and can be exacerbated with caffeine consumption. If a woman is experiencing morning sickness, it’s important to limit her caffeine intake. Additionally, women may find that reducing or eliminating caffeine can help reduce the intensity of morning sickness.
Cravings during pregnancy can be incredibly difficult to manage and can lead to an increase in caffeine consumption. If a woman is struggling to manage her cravings, it’s important to seek help from a health professional or nutritionist to come up with a plan for managing her cravings in a healthy way.
The Benefits of Eliminating Caffeine from the Diet
There are many benefits to reducing or eliminating caffeine from the diet when pregnant. While increasing water intake can help reduce the risks of dehydration, it can also provide essential minerals and vitamins. Additionally, decaffeinated or herbal teas can provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which can help keep the body healthy and strong during pregnancy.
Finally, women may find that eliminating caffeine can help with any anxiety or restlessness they may be feeling. Caffeine can increase alertness, which can be useful if a woman is feeling low, but it may also cause restlessness and anxiety if a person has an intolerance to the stimulant.
