If you're someone who can't get through the day without your morning cup of coffee, you might be wondering whether it's safe to continue your coffee routine during pregnancy. After all, many of us rely on that caffeine boost to stay energised and focused. As per the previous findings, pregnant women need to think carefully about their caffeine consumption and it was a big no no. Recent research on coffee consumption during pregnancy reveals otherwise. Here's what you need to know about the latest research on coffee and pregnancy, so you can make informed choices for your health and your growing baby

A 2024 study published by the University of Queensland has failed to find any strong links between drinking coffee during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental difficulties in children. However expectant mothers are advised to continue following medical guidelines on caffeine consumption. This is because caffeine can also pass through the placenta to the baby, but the baby’s body doesn’t have the enzymes needed to break it down.

 

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Can Pregnant Women Drink Coffee?

Yes, pregnant women can drink coffee, but it's important to do so in moderation. There's no need to give up caffeine entirely when you're expecting. In the past, women were often advised to avoid caffeine completely, but experts now agree that low to moderate amounts are generally safe, as long as certain precautions are followed.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends limiting caffeine to less than 200 milligrams per day, which is about two 6-ounce cups of coffee The recommendations are based on studies that suggest potential associations with pregnancy loss and foetal growth at higher caffeine levels.

Additionally, a 2020 study published in the BMJ Journal found that moderate caffeine intake could be linked to slightly lower birth weights.

However, according to the research by the University of Pennsylvania and the National Institutes of Health, published in JAMA Network Open, consuming a low amount of caffeine during pregnancy could help to reduce gestational diabetes risk.

So, moderation is key when it comes to coffee consumption during pregnancy. Experts generally agree that if you're already a coffee drinker, it's okay to continue in moderation, but if you don't drink coffee regularly, it's best not to start during pregnancy. Excessive caffeine intake can pose risks to both you and your baby, so it's important to keep your consumption within safe limits.

 

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Effects of Caffeine During Pregnancy

When you drink coffee, caffeine passes through the placenta into the amniotic fluid and your baby’s bloodstream. While your body works to get rid of the caffeine, your baby’s body, which is still developing, takes much longer to process it. This means your baby is exposed to caffeine for a much longer time than you are.

Even if caffeine doesn’t usually bother you, it might not agree with you during pregnancy. As a stimulant, caffeine can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, and may cause feelings of jitteriness or trouble sleeping. It can also make pregnancy symptoms like heartburn and frequent urination worse.

Coffee can cause blood vessels in the uterus and placenta to narrow, which could reduce the blood flow to the baby and affect growth. Caffeine might also interfere with the baby’s stress hormones, which could increase the risk of rapid weight gain after birth and raise the chances of developing obesity, heart disease, or diabetes later in life.

As your pregnancy progresses, the effects of caffeine can become more noticeable. This is because your body breaks down caffeine more slowly. In the second trimester, it takes almost twice as long to process caffeine as it does when you're not pregnant. By the third trimester, it can take nearly three times as long. This means more caffeine crosses the placenta, and your baby, who can't process it, ends up exposed to more of it.

Finally, whether your coffee or tea is caffeinated or not, these drinks contain compounds that can make it harder for your body to absorb iron. Since many pregnant women already have low iron levels, it’s a good idea to drink coffee or tea between meals to reduce its effect on iron absorption.

Wondering when you can get back to enjoying your regular caffeine habit? It depends. Some caffeine can cross to your baby in breast milk, which is why it's also a good idea to limit caffeine if you're breastfeeding, especially for the first few months.

 

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Foods and Beverages Containing Caffeine

Caffeine is found in a variety of foods and beverages, both naturally and through added ingredients. The most well-known source is coffee, which contains varying amounts depending on the type and serving size. Tea, including black, green, white, and oolong, also contains caffeine, though typically less than coffee. Soft drinks, particularly cola, and many energy drinks are common sources of caffeine, with energy drinks often containing higher amounts. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, naturally contains caffeine due to its cocoa content, and the darker the chocolate, the more caffeine it typically has. Iced tea, like its hot counterpart, contains caffeine, though the amount can vary based on how it’s brewed. The amount of caffeine in a serving of coffee varies widely, depending on the type of bean, how it's roasted, how it's brewed – and, on the size of the cup. 

 

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Hence, it is important to take care of your overall caffeine consumption and not just of coffee. Also, to know the various sources of caffeine so that you consume in moderation.

Looking for nutritional counselling? Then there is no better place than UR.Life. At UR.Life nutritional counselling, we provide personalised guidance for expecting mothers to ensure a healthy pregnancy. as proper nutrition is key to supporting both maternal health and the baby's development.