When is caffeine safe in pregnancy

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, , e Weng, X. Caffeine and miscarriage risk. Epidemiology, 19 1 , Savitz, D. The Mayo Clinic: Caffeine content in coffee, tea, soda, and more. Caffeine During Pregnancy. Facts About Caffeine Caffeine is a stimulant and a diuretic. Caffeine Facts or Myths? Statement: Caffeine causes birth defects in humans Facts: Numerous studies on animals have shown that caffeine can cause birth defects , premature labor , preterm delivery, reduced fertility, and increase the risk of low-birth-weight offspring and other reproductive problems.

Statement: Caffeine causes infertility Facts: Some studies have shown a link between high levels of caffeine consumption and delayed conception. Statement: Caffeine causes miscarriages Facts: In , two studies on the effects of caffeine related to miscarriage showed significantly different outcomes.

Want to Know More? Herbal Tea and Pregnancy Compiled using information from the following sources: 1. Can I get pregnant if…? Share this post:. Share on facebook Facebook. Share on twitter Twitter. Caffeine also shows up in herbal products and over-the-counter medications , including some headache, cold, and allergy remedies.

Read labels carefully. 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, obviously, on the size of the cup. Although espresso contains more caffeine per ounce, it's served in a tiny cup. So a full cup of brewed coffee will actually deliver more caffeine. While there are good reasons to cut back on caffeine during pregnancy, it's not always easy.

Your desire for a morning cup of joe might evaporate during the first trimester when morning sickness strikes, only to return full-strength later in pregnancy. Or, you may always have a hankering for your usual caffeinated pick-me-ups. Consider some of these tips to help you have a low-caffeine pregnancy:. Although herbal teas often have no caffeine, check with your healthcare provider before drinking them. A cup of peppermint or ginger tea is fine, but some herbal teas aren't safe for pregnancy.

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Committee Opinion. Moderate Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Center for Science in the Public Interest. Caffeine Chart. Hoyt, AT et al. Maternal caffeine consumption and small for gestational age births: Results from a population-based case-control study. Maternal and Child Health Journal Aug;18 6 James, JE. Maternal caffeine consumption and pregnancy outcomes: a narrative review with implications for advice to mothers and mothers-to-be.

March of Dimes. Caffeine in Pregnancy. News Release. Moderate daily caffeine intake during pregnancy may lead to smaller birth size. National Institutes of Health. Nisenblat V, Norman RJ. The effects of caffeine on reproductive outcomes in women.

Compared to infants born to women with no or minimal blood levels of caffeine, infants born to women who had the highest blood levels of caffeine at enrollment were an average of 84 grams lighter at birth about 3 ounces , were. Similarly, infants born to the caffeine consumers also had thigh circumferences. The researchers noted that caffeine is believed to cause blood vessels in the uterus and placenta to constrict, which could reduce the blood supply to the fetus and inhibit growth.

Similarly, researchers believe caffeine could potentially disrupt fetal stress hormones, putting infants at risk for rapid weight gain after birth and for later life obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The authors concluded that their findings suggest that even moderate caffeine consumption may be associated with decreased growth of the fetus.

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