Caffeine is naturally present in many foods, such as coffee, tea, and chocolate. It is also added to some soft drinks, energy drinks, and certain cold and flu medications.
During pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends limiting caffeine intake to 200 milligrams (mg) per day – which is equivalent to approximately two cups of instant coffee per day.
High levels of caffeine during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight in babies, which may increase the risk of health problems later in life. Too much caffeine can also cause miscarriage.
Concerns about Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy
When you drink a cup of coffee, caffeine passes through the placenta into the amniotic fluid and your baby’s bloodstream. While your body quickly metabolizes and eliminates caffeine, your baby’s body is still developing and takes much longer to process caffeine. As a result, your baby is exposed to the effects of caffeine for a much longer period than you are.
Researchers are still studying the effect of caffeine on the baby and pregnancy. ACOG’s position is that caffeine intake up to 200 mg does not significantly affect the likelihood of miscarriage or premature birth. Other studies (Savitz, D.A., Chan, R.L., Herring, A.H. & Hartmann, K.E., 2008) also suggest that consuming up to 200-350mg of caffeine daily does not significantly increase the risk.
One study showed that mothers who consumed more than 300 mg of caffeine daily were more likely to give birth to babies who were (too) small for their gestational age. Another study (Weng, X., Odouli, R. & Li, D.K., 2008) indicates that high doses of caffeine consumption during pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriage, regardless of pregnancy-related symptoms.
It is important to remember that caffeine is a stimulant and can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, it can cause feelings of restlessness and lead to insomnia. Caffeine can also cause heartburn by stimulating the secretion of stomach acid. These effects may become more noticeable as pregnancy progresses. At that time, your body’s ability to process caffeine slows down, resulting in higher caffeine levels in your bloodstream. In the second trimester, it takes almost twice as long to eliminate caffeine from your body as when you are not pregnant. In the third trimester, the process takes almost three times as long. This can mean that more caffeine passes through the placenta and reaches the fetus, which cannot process caffeine effectively (this also applies to newborns, so it is good to limit caffeine even when breastfeeding, especially in the first few months).
Finally, there is another reason to reduce coffee and tea consumption during pregnancy, regardless of whether it contains caffeine or not. Both beverages contain compounds (e.g., tannin) that make it harder for your body to absorb iron. This is important because many pregnant women face anemia. If you consume coffee or tea, drink it between meals so it has less impact on iron absorption.
Caffeine Content in Some Beverages and Foods
| Food | Approximate Caffeine Content (mg) |
| Black tea (240 ml) | 14 – 61 |
| Green tea (240 ml) | 24 – 60 |
| Espresso (30 ml) | 40 – 75 |
| Instant coffee (250 ml) | 76 |
| Cola (355 ml) | 30 -35 |
| Energy drinks (250 ml) | 76 – 80 |
*Source: NUTRIS – Institute of Nutrition
Dark chocolate (50g): on average less than 25 mg
Milk chocolate (50g): on average less than 10 mg
*source NHS UK
So, in one day, you will reach the 200 mg caffeine limit if you consume (NHS UK):
– two cups of regular tea and one can of cola
– one cup of coffee and one can of energy drink, but with energy drinks, we know that not only caffeine is problematic but primarily sugars
Limit Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy
In conclusion, it is not necessary to completely give up caffeine during pregnancy, but it is recommended to limit it to up to 200 mg daily. If you find it difficult to refuse various beverages in social settings, try decaffeinated teas and decaffeinated coffees between meals, fruit juices, or water, and limit the amount of energy drinks, as they can contain high amounts of caffeine. If you occasionally exceed the recommended limit, do not worry, as the risks are relatively small.
Before taking cold or flu medication containing caffeine, consult your midwife, pharmacist, or doctor.
Source1, Source2, Source3, Source4
