Is Caffeine Safe During Pregnancy?
Is Caffeine Safe During Pregnancy?
Life can get hectic, and you may look forward to your morning coffee, afternoon soda, or energy drink to help get you moving. But if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, you may wonder: Can caffeine harm my baby or increase my risk of miscarriage?
The short answer: Moderate caffeine intake appears to be safe.
“Caffeine is thought to cross the placenta, so the concern is what kind of impact that is having on the developing pregnancy,” says Laurie Griffin, MD, PhD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at University of Utah Health. “Based on current research, consuming a moderate or small amount of caffeine has not been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage or other developmental outcomes in fetuses.”
How Much Caffeine Is Safe During Pregnancy?
People who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant can safely consume 200 milligrams or less of caffeine per day, advises the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG).
Higher amounts—above 200 mg daily—have been linked in some studies to:
- Pregnancy loss
- Preterm birth
- Low birth weight
How Much Caffeine Is in Your Drink?
Caffeine content can vary widely depending on the brand and service size. Energy drinks have a wide variation, with some 16-ounce cans containing safe amounts, while some may exceed 300 mg.
Here’s a general guide:
- Brewed drip coffee (8 oz): 137 mg
- Brewed tea (8 oz): 48 mg
- Soft drinks (12 oz): 37 mg
- Hot cocoa (12 oz): 8-12 mg
“One standard cup of coffee per day is totally fine,” Griffin says. “Tea and soda typically have much lower amounts of caffeine. But if you’re drinking four or five cups per day, that’s when we start to worry a little more.”
What Does the Research Say?
Research on caffeine and miscarriage isn’t completely clear.
“A lot of data comes from retrospective studies where researchers asked women if they consumed caffeine in pregnancy and, if so, how much they thought they had,” Griffin says. “That information can be accurate or inaccurate depending on people’s memories.”
According to ACOG, two recent studies on the relationship between caffeine and miscarriage reached conflicting conclusions, with one study not finding any correlation between miscarriage and any amount of caffeine consumption, and the other finding a positive correlation between miscarriage and high amounts of caffeine consumption (more than 200mg).
Because of this uncertainty, experts recommend limiting your caffeine intake to less than 200mg per day.
I Drank Caffeine Before I Knew I Was Pregnant—Should I Worry?
The risk of miscarriage in any pregnancy—regardless of caffeine consumption—is highest in the first trimester, with about 80% of miscarriages happenings before 13 weeks’ gestation.
If you have been consuming high amounts of caffeine and are worried about its impact on your pregnancy, Griffin says not to panic.
“Early exposure to caffeine doesn’t typically have as much impact on the growth of a baby long-term. You can decrease your caffeine intake as soon as you find out you’re expecting. Then, have a conversation with your OB/GYN about determining any long-term implications.”
She also suggests visiting the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC) if you are experiencing any concerning symptoms, such as spotting or bleeding.
At University of Utah Health, pregnancy specialists closely monitor your pregnancy with more frequent ultrasounds and listen to the baby’s heartbeat more often if there are any concerns with your baby’s development. If necessary, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist will become involved in your care and determine the best timing for delivery.
Based on what is currently known, enjoying a cup of coffee, tea, or soda isn’t going to negatively affect your pregnancy. If you have any worries about the health of your pregnancy or past caffeine consumption, talk to your health care provider for guidance and support.
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