Is Decaf Coffee Okay During Pregnancy?

I’ve always been a two-cups-of-coffee-a-day kind of gal. But when I found out I was expecting, I cut back to just one cup to avoid any risks tied to having too much caffeine during pregnancy—and switched out my second cup for decaf. It took a few days to adjust to not getting that post-lunch boost, but once I got used to it, I started to enjoy it as much as my regular coffee. And I still felt like it perked me up a little, even though it was clearly a placebo effect.

So, is decaf coffee for a pregnant woman a go or a no? The answer is a resounding yes. If you’re thinking about making the switch to decaf, here’s what you need to know about decaffeinated coffee and pregnancy.

Key Takeaways

• Can you drink decaf coffee while pregnant? Yes, decaffeinated coffee during pregnancy is safe. It can also help you cut back on caffeine without giving up your coffee ritual.
• Pregnant women should stay under 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Decaf coffee has only a small amount, usually around 1 to 2 milligrams per 8-ounce cup.
• You can usually have several cups of decaf a day. Just remember that caffeine from tea, soda, chocolate and other sources also counts toward your total intake.
• Half-caf can be a helpful middle ground. It gives you some caffeine while making it easier to stay within the daily limit.

Can You Have Decaffeinated Coffee During Pregnancy?

It’s safe to have decaffeinated coffee during pregnancy. So if you’re trying to cut back on your caffeine intake, it could be a satisfying alternative.

Experts generally recommend that pregnant women have less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day, since greater amounts have been tentatively linked to miscarriage or preterm birth—and while the studies don’t show caffeine causing these issues, experts say it’s best to be cautious.

“Caffeine crosses the placenta, and baby can’t clear it the way you can,” explains Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, MD, IBCLC, an ob-gyn at Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, and author of The Birth Book. “But remember: These concerns aren’t seen if your intake is less than 200 milligrams a day, so no need to worry about [lesser] amounts.”

The amount of caffeine in decaf coffee is very low—around 1 to 2 milligrams in an 8-ounce cup, compared to 96 milligrams of caffeine for the same amount of regular coffee. So there’s no reason not to enjoy a cup (or several, if you’d like) throughout the day, says Dr. Wadia Mulla, MD, FACOG, director of maternal-fetal medicine at Temple Health in Philadelphia.

"For me, coffee was always more about the taste and the morning ritual than the caffeine, so during both of my pregnancies I switched almost entirely to decaf,” says Nina S., a mom of two in Austin. “It just let me keep my morning the way I like it—a warm cup in hand and a few quiet minutes before the day starts.”

Michelle T., a mom of one in Beverly Hills, California, still enjoyed a cup of freshly ground caffeinated coffee in the morning during her pregnancy, but made sure to stay well within the limits. “If I wanted more coffee during the day, I’d make instant coffee with decaf coffee beans,” she says.

How Much Decaf Coffee Can You Drink While Pregnant?

You could have several cups of decaffeinated coffee during pregnancy every day, if you wanted to. Since the amount of caffeine in decaf coffee is so low, it would take a lot of refills to reach or exceed the recommended daily limit of 200 milligrams of caffeine a day for pregnant women. “If you’re having it in moderation, I don’t believe it’s necessary to keep track of how much you’re having,” Dr. Mulla says.

Dr. Lincoln agrees that you don’t need to stress about how much decaf you’re having. “It would take a lot of decaf on its own to hit 200 milligrams,” she points out.

That said, the caffeine from decaf can add up if you’re also having other sources of caffeine throughout the day like black or green tea, soda, chocolate or energy drinks. If that’s the case for you, it’s worth taking stock of your total caffeine intake so you don’t overdo it.

How much caffeine is in decaf coffee?

There are around 1 milligrams of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup of brewed decaf coffee, and closer to 2 milligrams in a cup of instant decaf of the same size. Again, that’s compared to 96 milligrams of caffeine in a cup of brewed coffee—which is also within safe limits for pregnancy.

Prefer espresso? The numbers are similar. There are 2 milligrams of caffeine in a 1-ounce shot of decaf espresso (compared to 63 milligrams of caffeine in a 1-ounce shot of regular espresso).

That said, the exact amount of caffeine in a cup of decaf can vary slightly based on how the beans were roasted and brewed. Studies have shown that some types of brewed decaf, including the decaf at Starbucks, can contain up to 15 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce cup.

Can You Drink Your Coffee “Half-Caf” While Pregnant?

Half-caf—aka coffee made with half regular caffeinated coffee and half decaf coffee—is a-okay when you’re pregnant. “It’s a solid middle ground [between regular and decaf]. You get the ritual and some caffeine without blowing through your limit in one or two cups,” Dr. Lincoln says.

Like with regular coffee, you’ll just want to keep tabs on how much you’re having to avoid going over the recommended 200-milligram daily limit for caffeine. An 8-ounce cup of half-caf typically has around 50 milligrams of caffeine. So, you could conceivably have around four cups per day, assuming you aren’t also getting caffeine from other food or drink sources.

What Are the Benefits of Drinking Decaf Coffee Pregnant?

The main benefit of enjoying some or all of your coffee in decaf form when you’re pregnant is that you’re avoiding caffeine—which, in quantities over 200 milligrams per day, may be linked to a higher risk for miscarriage or preterm birth. But you’re still getting the taste of coffee and the ritual of enjoying a warm drink.

Getting used to decaf isn’t always easy if you normally rely on the energy boost from regular coffee. But some moms who switched to decaf coffee while pregnant actually came to prefer it once they adjusted. “I noticed a big shift in how I felt going through my inbox, juggling my to-do list, in my spin classes and how I felt going to bed at night, all of which mattered more to me than the caffeine. I felt less rushed and anxious, which helped me feel at peace when climbing into bed at night. I’ve tried caffeine since, and my heart rate immediately spikes, and I talk faster. My tolerance is so low now,” says Natalie B., a mom of one in Georgetown, Indiana.

What Are the Risks or Downsides to Drinking Decaf Coffee Pregnant?

If you’re used to drinking caffeinated coffee, you might not feel so great—think tired, nauseous and headache-y—when you first switch to decaf. Add that to the pregnancy morning sickness and fatigue you might already be experiencing, and you potentially have a recipe for feeling pretty lousy. Cutting back on your caffeine intake gradually can help you sidestep withdrawal symptoms.

A few other things to consider: The amount of caffeine that’s actually in decaf can vary slightly, with some brews (including Starbucks decaf) having as much as 15 milligrams caffeine per 8-ounce cup. That’s still not a lot, considering the recommended upper limit during pregnancy is 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. But it’s worth being mindful if you’re drinking a ton of decaf every day or if you’re also getting caffeine from other sources, like soda, chocolate or tea, Dr. Lincoln says.

Also, keep in mind that it’s still best to enjoy decaf coffee drinks made with extras like syrups, milk or whipped cream in moderation. “I recommend that one watches the add-ins, as these quickly become high-sugar and high-calorie,” Dr. Mulla says.

To Sum It Up

Decaf coffee is a safe and satisfying choice for pregnant women, especially if you’re trying to cut back on caffeine without giving up your daily coffee ritual. Since it contains only a small amount of caffeine, you can usually enjoy several cups without getting close to the recommended 200 milligrams daily limit. Just remember to count caffeine from other foods and drinks, and go easy on sugary add-ins. That way, you can keep sipping your favorite brew without stressing about what’s in your cup.

How We Developed This Article

Many moms-to-be cut back on caffeine and take up decaf coffee during pregnancy instead. To answer whether decaf coffee for a pregnant woman is okay—and what the benefits and downsides are—we spoke with two ob-gyns. We also consulted sources including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Mayo Clinic and various academic journals. Finally, we talked to four real moms about their decaf coffee drinking during pregnancy.

After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our ob-gyn medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Marygrace Taylor is a health, pregnancy and parenting writer and former editor of the eco-friendly parenting magazine KIWI. She’s also a mom of one who had to cut back on her coffee habit when she was pregnant, switching to decaf in the afternoons. Once her son was born, she went straight back to having two cups of caffeinated coffee per day.

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.