The Truth About Whether Drinking Coffee And Tea While Pregnant Is Safe

• Women have always been warned about drinking coffee or tea during their pregnancy.
• However, it has been revealed that moderate consumption will not harm the mother or the child.
• Caffeine should be taken in moderation throughout the pregnancy.

Drinking coffee or tea is undoubtedly one of the best ways to start the day. But is it safe to continue getting a liquid perk-up when you have a bun in the oven? There have been several myths about the effects of caffeine during pregnancy. Luckily, the truth can now be confirmed by the experts.

Pregnant women are usually advised to avoid certain foods like raw shellfish, undercooked meat, and soft blue cheese. But is it truly necessary to stay away from coffee and tea? A gynecologist offers some friendly advice for ladies who still want to keep drinking coffee during their pregnancy.

You don’t need to stop drinking coffee when you’re pregnant!

Dr. Isis Amer-Wahlin is the obstetrics and gynecology consultant for midwife app Bonzun and she has some good news for pregnant women who need a coffee fix. You can still continue drinking coffee and tea as long as it is consumed in moderation.

“Moderation is absolutely key, though, so if you drink a lot of coffee in your day-to-day life, it might be a good idea to cut back for the duration of your pregnancy,” Dr. Amer-Wahlin said. “It is also vital to remember that it isn’t just coffee that contains caffeine — it can also be found in tea, chocolate, and even certain medications.”

You can still drink up to two cups of coffee during pregnancy.

The doctor also pointed out that it is important to remember that caffeine is a stimulant that could have certain effects to a fetus. This is why the mother should keep her coffee consumption to a minimum.

“[Caffeine] also causes the blood pressure and heart rate to go up, both of which should be avoided during pregnancy,” Dr. Amer-Wahlin said. “When it comes to the baby, their metabolism is not yet as sophisticated as an adult’s, so it is harder for them to metabolize the caffeine, which means that their sleep pattern could be disrupted and they could become restless.”

So what’s the safest bet for a pregnant mother? Dr. Amer-Wahlin suggests 200 milligrams of caffeine per day is a safe guideline. This should allow you to drink about two mugs of instant coffee.