Is It Safe To Drink Coffee During Pregnancy [WHO’s Reference]

If you are a woman with an active lifestyle and suddenly… surprise! Your pregnancy test has come positive.

And now that? Among so many changes that you are going to experience, one of the big concerns is this: is it safe to drink coffee during pregnancy?

Quiet, it is not for less. It is no secret to anyone that there are countless myths about the safety of drinking caffeine and coffee during pregnancy and the possible effects on your health and that of the baby.

However, there are also studies that confirm that its risk lies in excessive consumption.

It seems like a complicated matter, right? Do not get overwhelmed and continue with your reading, because the intention of this article is to provide you with clear and updated answers so that you have a successful relationship with coffee in the next months of pregnancy.

What Happens If A Pregnant Woman Drinks Coffee?

If you are in the first trimester of pregnancy, it will be difficult to say goodbye to your morning coffee immediately, and it is that coffee lovers need even its aroma to function.

I must clarify that the negative effects of coffee are associated with excessive consumption given the action of caffeine.

The pregnant woman’s metabolism is slower, so it takes up to 18 hours to eliminate this substance from her blood, being more exposed to harmful reactions.

To give you a more detailed analysis of the impact of the picture of abusive consumption of coffee during pregnancy, pay attention to the information that leaves you then.

Effects Of Coffee On Pregnant Women

Effects Of Coffee On Pregnant Women

  • Increased heart rate that results in restlessness, nervousness, difficulty falling asleep and increased body metabolism.
  • The alertness night leads to fatigue and tiredness during the day.
  • Increased vasoconstriction. That is, the diameter of the blood vessels decreases, so there is a greater risk of premature abortion.
  • Difficulty for the absorption of iron, a nutrient essential in the stage of gestation.
  • Increase in heartburn due to increased release of pepsin and hydrochloric acid.

Effects Of Coffee On The Baby

The impacts of coffee during pregnancy greatly affect the fetus.

  • Caffeine crosses the placental barrier easily, and neither the placenta, its organs nor tissues are fully mature to metabolize this substance.
  • Increased fetal heart rate and possible withdrawal syndrome in the baby.
  • Increased likelihood of miscarriage or premature delivery due to maternal vasoconstriction.
  • Possible risk of low birth weight due to the decrease in nutrient uptake as a result of maternal vasoconstriction.

Undoubtedly, the consequences are overwhelming, but you, as a new mother must have a healthy limit of intake of coffee and caffeine during your pregnancy period.

Relax, I’ll explain it to you shortly…

How Much Caffeine Can A Pregnant Woman Have?

Although it is true that the most convenient thing would be to say goodbye to coffee, you must know the recommendations of the experts, because you are not and will not be the only pregnant woman with the unknown between coffee, caffeine and pregnancy.

According to the World Health Organization, the intake of caffeine in a pregnant woman should not exceed 300 mg/day. For its part, the European Food Safety Authority or EFSA estimates that the daily consumption of caffeine in pregnant women should not exceed 200 mg/day.

In this same matter, the American Pregnancy Association establishes an average range of moderate caffeine consumption between 150 mg – 300 mg / day.

Remember that the amount of caffeine in a coffee varies depending on multiple factors such as the origin of the bean, roast profile, degree of grinding and some more.

But, generally speaking, the maximum dose contemplated by experts should not exceed 2-3 cups of coffee a day during pregnancy.

Also, each pregnancy is different, and your specialist will evaluate the recommended dose based on your medical history and fetal development. You must follow their recommendations in favor of a healthy consumption away from the harmful effects of caffeine.

pregnant woman drinks coffee

Other Foods With Caffeine That You Should Not Abuse

No, it’s not all the coffee’s fault. The caffeine is also present in other foods whose levels might take to exceed the recommended daily allowance in the stage of gestation.

And if you are one of the pregnant women who succumb to cravings, then pay attention to the following data and so you can have an approximate control of the level of caffeine you have ingested.

It surprises you, right? That is why it is so important that your caffeine consumption during pregnancy is not only seen in terms of the coffee you drink.

The Best Coffee Substitutes During Pregnancy

Have you decided to give coffee a STOP during pregnancy? You are to be admired!

Relax, if you fear that you will not be able to survive abstinence, you will be happy to know that there are products that you can use as substitutes for coffee, so you will be free of the ghost of caffeine in your pregnancy.

Take note!

  • Chicory: It has a bitter taste that will remind you a lot of coffee. You can get it in the form of an infusion or instant preparation.
  • Chamomile: It is one of the most popular hot drinks, with great benefits for the digestive system. 
  • Rooibos Tea: This herb is rich in calcium, potassium, iron, and antioxidants, as well as being caffeine-free.
  • Fruit infusion: Hot drink based on natural teas of dehydrated berries.
  • Whole leaf tea: The Origeens brand offers a presentation of raspberry leaves for the last trimester of pregnancy.
  • Cereal coffee: Another substitute for coffee. The most consumed is based on barley.

Go ahead, choose the one of your preference and enjoy it without worry!

Can You Drink Decaffeinated Coffee When Pregnant?

decaffeinated coffee

Very well, if after all you are reluctant to turn your back on the coffee that you like so much, you also have the option of decaf.

However, I inform you that this presentation also contains caffeine, only in a very low proportion.

A cup of decaffeinated coffee contains an average of 1 to 7 milligrams of caffeine, while a cup of non-decaffeinated coffee contains an average of 70 to 140 mg. Do you notice the difference?

Undoubtedly, its consumption is less likely to suffer the negative effects of excess caffeine on the mother and baby. However, in high-risk pregnancies, decaffeinated coffee should also be excluded.

In this new stage, your health and that of the future baby are paramount, so the consumption of coffee and caffeine must be approved by a professional in any case.

Under their recommendations, you can enjoy your drink in moderation, or coffee substitutes, failing that.

Thanks for visiting our blog. Take care of yourself and your future baby.

8c7d8fe2feaaa051e9086d66af742c12?s=100&d=mm&r=g

A. I. Moon

A.I. Moon, an experienced SEO Pythonista, spends his days coding and developing web applications to help business owners. A passionate coffee enthusiast, he believes that drinking coffee fuels his creativity and productivity. His day isn't complete without the rich aroma and invigorating warmth of a perfectly brewed cup. This love for coffee inspired him to found EspressoRivo, a platform dedicated to sharing his coffee knowledge and fostering a community of passionate aficionados.

Scroll to Top