Can You Drink Coffee While Pregnant?

Your favorite sushi roll. That appetizing deli sandwich. A crisp glass of Pinot Grigio. There are already so many delicious things you have to avoid while pregnant—is it really necessary to lay off the latte too? Hang on to your mugs, ladies, you’re going to like this: The answer to the question “Can you drink coffee while pregnant?”—and other caffeinated drinks, for that matter—is: Yes! Yes, you can.

“When I first learned I was pregnant, I gave up coffee cold turkey because it seemed like the right thing to do,” shares Natalie Gontcharova, senior editor at The Bump and mom of one. “A few days later, I finally thought to read up on whether it’s safe to drink coffee while pregnant. To my delight, I found an article that confirmed I could have a cup or two a day! I continued drinking coffee—which made for a much less cranky pregnancy—and all was well.”

It’s important to watch your amount of caffeine while pregnant, though—you shouldn’t overdo it. “The key for determining which coffees are safer than others is to be aware of the caffeine content,” explains Julia Ryan, MD, a neonatologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.

Ahead, learn more about the safety of drinking coffee during pregnancy, including exactly how much caffeine you can have while pregnant and some alternatives in case you want to dial down your caffeine intake.

Key Takeaways

• Can pregnant women drink coffee? The answer is a resounding yes, as long as you stick to under 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, total. That’s approximately a large mug or two smaller cups.
• Steer clear of excessive amounts of coffee while pregnant. Too much caffeine can cause baby’s heart to beat too fast, and has also been linked to miscarriage.
• If you’d like to explore energy-boosting alternatives to coffee while pregnant, black tea, green tea and chocolate all have lower caffeine levels.

Can Pregnant Women Drink Coffee?

So, is drinking coffee safe during pregnancy? Almost all medical professionals agree that consuming small amounts of coffee while pregnant is perfectly safe. (And for those of us who need a boost of caffeine to be civilized in the morning, every delectable drop is greatly appreciated!)

How does coffee affect a fetus?

Drinking too much coffee while pregnant can cause baby’s heart to beat very fast, and it can lead to arrhythmia or irregular heart rhythm, which is potentially dangerous, Ryan says. If you drink large quantities, caffeine during pregnancy can make babies become dependent on it and then, when they’re born, they can be very irritable and exhibit withdrawal symptoms. Excessive caffeine has also been linked to miscarriage.

Fortunately, we’re talking only about large amounts of coffee during pregnancy here. If you follow a few simple guidelines, you’ll easily stay within safe levels.

How Much Caffeine Can You Have While Pregnant?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a “moderate amount” of caffeine during pregnancy—defined as less than 200 milligrams per day—“does not appear to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage or preterm birth.” Remember that other beverages (like tea) and certain foods (think chocolate) contain caffeine too.

How much coffee can I drink during pregnancy?

You’re likely wondering exactly how much coffee the 200-milligram guideline translates into. As a rough estimate, you’re probably okay with one or two cups a day: An 8-ounce cup of brewed, black coffee typically contains about 96 milligrams of caffeine.

You might also wonder how much caffeine is in your favorite morning pick-me-up. We’ve got you! Here’s a look at how much caffeine is in different coffee drinks:

How much espresso can I drink during pregnancy?

If you’re an espresso aficionado, we have even more good news for you: There’s not as much caffeine in one of those little espresso cups as in a regular cup of coffee. A typical espresso cup measures about 2 to 3 ounces, and 1 ounce of espresso has about 63 milligrams of caffeine. As potent as that cup is, it’s still tiny—which means you can treat yourself to a jolt of espresso during pregnancy guilt-free. So sip slowly and savor.

Risks of Drinking Coffee While Pregnant

While small amounts of coffee during pregnancy are considered safe, when you load up on caffeine, you’re not the only one who gets a buzz—baby does too. “Caffeine crosses the placenta and has been found in amniotic fluid and fetal blood samples,” explains Shar La Porte, LM, CNM, a licensed midwife at Midwifery Care NYC. Because baby’s liver isn’t fully developed yet, the jolt to their system is greater than it is to yours, and it takes longer for the caffeine to leave their system.

Taking in over 200 milligrams of caffeine during pregnancy has also been linked to a risk of miscarriage, research says. Some studies also suggest that even moderate caffeine intake can result in lower birth weight for baby.

Side effects like jitteriness or an upset stomach are also something to keep in mind, especially if you’re already experiencing some unpleasant pregnancy symptoms.

Benefits of Drinking Coffee While Pregnant

While everyone has their own reasons for loving coffee, a lot of women report better energy levels, focus and mood when they’ve had their daily cup. “My OB said it best: A pregnant woman without her caffeine is worse for the baby! She okayed two cups a day,” says PerkinsFam3, a community forum member on The Bump. (While we wouldn’t go that far, we get what she’s saying!)

Coffee can also help some people deal with headaches due to its vasoconstrictive properties, since narrowing blood vessels restrict blood flow and help alleviate pain. (On the flip side, coffee withdrawal can actually cause headaches, which is again due to narrowing blood vessels.)

Energy-Boosting Alternatives to Drinking Coffee While Pregnant

If you’re looking to kick your coffee habit, or just decrease your intake, there are quite a few alternatives. (And if quitting coffee causes a headache or other unpleasant side effects, try to taper back slowly.) They include:

• Brewed black tea (48 milligrams per 8-ounce cup)
• Brewed green tea (29 milligrams per 8-ounce cup)
• Chocolate (12 milligrams per ounce, which is about three to four squares)

You can also try decaf coffee, which only has about 1 or 2 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce cup.

To Sum It Up

With all of the foods and beverages that are off-limits during pregnancy, it’s great to know that you can drink coffee while pregnant. But it’s important to stick to your limits when it comes to coffee during pregnancy: Experts recommend no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day when you’re pregnant. Remember that other drinks—such as tea—and foods like chocolate also contain caffeine, so make sure to count those toward your daily intake. Otherwise, enjoy responsibly!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.