Due to the surge in popularity of coffee shop culture, pregnant women everywhere are often left wondering if it’s safe to drink coffee during pregnancy. Unfortunately, this is far from a straightforward answer. Even though the chemical composition of coffee itself does not cause any harm to a pregnant woman’s fetus, the decision of whether or not to drink coffee during pregnancy often comes down to personal preference, lifestyle, and what is best for the pregnant woman and her baby.
The debate around drinking coffee while pregnant was largely brought to the forefront by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 2016 report which identified coffee as a potentially risky beverage for pregnant women. The reason is that coffee contains caffeine, which has the potential to cross the placental barrier and reach the fetus. High levels of caffeine have been linked to risks of stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth and an increased risk of miscarriage.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) coffee is safe in moderation. The organization states that 200 milligrams or less of caffeine per day is considered to be safe for pregnant women, which means one standard cup of filter coffee contains roughly 96-100 milligrams of caffeine. Although this may seem low, it is advised to drink less than this amount each day. Studies have suggested that pregnant women should not exceed a caffeine intake of 200 mg per day.
Caffeine is not only present in coffee, but also in other beverages, snacks and medication. Most caffeine-containing drinks, such as tea, soda and energy drinks, contain between 50- 150 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Drinking more than one cup of coffee per day can add up quickly, meaning a pregnant woman should be conscious of her caffeine intake from all sources.
When it comes to snacks, dark chocolate is one of the most worrying sources of caffeine as it can contain up to 80 milligrams of caffeine per bar – this is the equivalent to one cup of coffee. As such, pregnant women should keep a close eye on their snack habits and should aim to limit their consumption of chocolate and other caffeinated snacks.
Finally, medications can also be a hidden source of caffeine for pregnant women. For example, many headache and migraine medications contain caffeine as one of the active ingredients. As such, pregnant women should always check with their doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication, in order to always err on the side of caution where caffeine is concerned.
Risks and Benefits
The ACOG has mentioned that the risks of drinking coffee for pregnant woman can be difficult to assess, due to a lack of studies on the subject. Despite this, the potential risks should not be ignored, as the effects of caffeine on a developing fetus are still unknown.
The amount of caffeine a pregnant woman consumes is an important factor to consider. Studies have found that consuming more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day can lead to a decrease in blood flow to the placenta, which can have adverse effects on the development of the fetus.
On the other hand, the benefits of drinking coffee while pregnant are less commonly discussed. Coffee has been associated with reducing the risk of depression and potentially reducing the risk of miscarriage. While saying with confidence that the consumption of coffee has a positive effect on pregnancy is difficult, it is believed that the benefits of a cup of coffee are not necessarily out of the question.
It is important to note that it is never a good idea to suddenly introduce caffeine into a pregnancy. Before deciding to drink coffee or any other caffeinated beverage, pregnant women should talk to their doctor first to understand their individual needs.
How To Reduce Caffeine Intake
Since the risks of drinking coffee while pregnant are still unclear, it is important for pregnant women to take steps to reduce their caffeine intake. Here are some tips to help reduce caffeine intake during pregnancy:
- Limit coffee intake to one cup per day or less.
- Drink decaffeinated coffee or caffeine-free beverages throughout the day.
- Avoid energy drinks, dark chocolate and caffeinated snacks.
- Be wary of medications, especially those which have caffeine as an active ingredient.
- Be conscious of all sources of coffee, including coffee-flavoured treats, coffee flavours in other beverages, etc.
Tips To Manage Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms typically manifest after reducing or cutting out caffeine. Some of the common withdrawal symptoms include headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. It can be difficult to completely cut out coffee during pregnancy, but here are some tips to help manage withdrawal symptoms:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Eat small, frequent meals.
- Reduce the amount of caffeine gradually, e.g. cut down gradually from two cups a day to one cup a day.
- Engage in physical exercise such as walking or swimming.
- Take plenty of rest and create a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Avoid heavy caffeine intake late in the day.
Alternative Beverages During Pregnancy
Caffeine is not the only stimulant present in coffee – it also contains compounds such as antioxidants and flavonoids, which are believed to have health benefits. Therefore, pregnant women may want to find other beverages to ensure they are getting the same health benefits. For example, hot beverages such as green tea, herbal teas and chamomile tea contain similar compounds with fewer side effects. They can also provide energy without the same amount of caffeine present in coffee.
Pregnant women may also consider drinking milk or milk alternatives such as soy milk and almond milk, as they contain plenty of agricultural nutrients. Fruity smoothies such as watermelon smoothie, banana smoothie and berry smoothie are also excellent for pregnancy. Finally, fizzy drinks and sugary beverages should be avoided, as they can contain loads of sugar and empty calories which can be unhealthy for both the pregnant woman and her unborn baby.
Conclusion
When it comes to drinking coffee while pregnant, a moderate amount is considered safe by the World Health Organization. However, it is important for pregnant women to be aware of other sources of caffeine and to be conscious of their overall intake. Finally, if pregnant women feel like they are relying too much on caffeine to get through the day, then they should consider talking to their doctor and exploring other, more healthy alternatives.
