Can I Still Drink Coffee While Pregnant, yes! But how many? It’s true: a pregnant woman shouldn’t drink a lot of coffee. But that doesn’t mean she can’t have the occasional afternoon pick-me-up. And besides, a little morning java doesn’t hurt either.
Can You Drink Coffee While You’re Pregnant?
While most women shouldn’t drink a lot of coffee while they are pregnant, the occasional cup should be OK. You should also count the caffeine you consume from other sources, including energy bars. You should also consult a pregnancy chart for more guidance. Also, keep in mind that coffee and tea have different caffeine levels.
Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it causes the body to eliminate more water than normal. A pregnant woman already spends a lot of time in the bathroom, so caffeine could contribute to dehydration. Dehydration is dangerous during pregnancy. Also, caffeine may have adverse effects on the fetus.
Studies have shown that coffee is safe to drink during pregnancy, but you should limit your caffeine intake to 200 milligrams per day. Moderate coffee consumption won’t harm your pregnancy, but you should avoid other sources of caffeine, such as sodas, energy drinks, and energy drinks.
One way to minimize caffeine consumption is to drink decaf instead of regular coffee. By substituting half of a cup of regular coffee with decaf, you can gradually wean yourself off the taste and kick of regular coffee. You can then gradually increase your decaf intake until you’re no longer able to taste the coffee.
The Clean Label Project recommends that you limit your caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Excessive amounts of caffeine can cause miscarriage, preterm birth, or a low birth weight baby.
Can pregnant women drink coffee?
While coffee is generally safe for pregnant women to consume, it is still important to keep caffeine intake to a minimum. Caffeine is known to affect both the mother and the unborn child, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to 200 milligrams per day, which is the caffeine content in one 8-ounce cup of coffee.
One method to study the relationship between caffeine and pregnancy is through randomized-controlled trials. In these studies, participants are split into two groups, each as similar as possible, except for the intervention. Using this methodology, researchers could study coffee consumption and its association with miscarriage and stillbirth.
Research has shown that caffeine intake during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage. Although the maximum recommended intake is 200 milligrams a day, there are some pregnant women who drink more than that. Excessive consumption of caffeine has been linked to several adverse effects in animal studies. The effects include decreased fertility, decreased fetal growth, increased miscarriage rates, and low-birthweight babies. For pregnant women who are concerned about caffeine, it is best to find an alternative beverage for the morning.
A meta-analysis published in 2015 found that an increase in caffeine intake during pregnancy increased the risk of miscarriage by 19%. In fact, it’s estimated that an increase in caffeine consumption from one to two cups a day increases the risk of miscarriage by 8%. For this reason, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women drink no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day, which is equal to one 12-oz cup.
