Is It Safe For Pregnant Women To Drink Coffee? Here’s What Studies Say

Most people rely on their morning cup of coffee when they first get out of bed. However, there is a lot of debate around if pregnant woman should drink coffee or not. While many say that it is strictly avoidable, there are also women who make sure that their morning starts with a caffeine kick. But what is right and what is not? Let's find out.

Should Pregnant Women Consume Coffee?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises that pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams per day. Pregnant women can consume coffee. However, it is important to watch your caffeine consumption. Caffeine can affect your pregnancy and your baby in ways that are not completely clear.

How Much Caffeine One Should Consume During Pregnancy?

According to a report by babycentre, the official recommendation is 200 mg or less a day. Some experts even believe that moderate amounts of caffeine during pregnant cause risks.

Many studies have previously linked high caffeine consumption to babies being small for their gestational age. However, researchers at the National Institute of Health recently found that women who drank less than 200 mg of caffeine a day during their pregnancy had slightly smaller babies than non-caffeine drinkers.

As per research, caffeine is said to cause blood vessels in the uterus and placenta to constrict – this could reduce the blood supply to the fetus and hamper growth. They also noted that caffeine could also disrupt fetal stress hormones and put infants at risk of rapid weight gain and for obesity.

On the other hand, there are also studies which have found no link between caffeine consumption and issues such as low birth weight, IUGR, miscarriage or premature birth.

How To Consume Decaf Coffee?

Make sure that you avoid drinking decaf during unusual hours like right before going to bed as it can negatively affect your sleeping patterns. If you can’t tolerate the strong taste of decaf then adding milk or a creamer to your decaf can be helpful. You can experiment with your decaf coffee in terms of brewing methods or trying different brands to satisfy your taste buds.