Coffee during pregnancy – when and how much is acceptable

The onset of pregnancy makes most women reconsider many aspects of their lives. This applies to nutrition and coffee consumption during pregnancy, including. For many ladies it is not even a part of nutrition – many of them do not imagine the beginning of the day without a cup of strong coffee, and so they try to compromise, not stopping the drink, but not too enthusiastic about it.

Women do not even realize that they will be forced to give up this habit, which for many years has become second nature, and, trying to find out how does coffee affect pregnancy, looking for ways to minimize the possible risks. Disputes on this issue do not subside in professional circles either – specialists in dietetics and gynecology are trying to find a consensus on its optimal solution for the female body during the period of childbirth.

How coffee affects the body of a pregnant woman

Speaking about the impact of taking coffee on the condition of the pregnant woman, it is worth to understand how the caffeine contained in it affects the human body. It is important to understand this due to the fact that all the negative properties of the substance for a woman in such a state are significantly increased. Not wanting to give up drinking coffee during pregnancy, a woman should be aware that too much coffee and caffeine in it can lead to:

• diarrhea;
• palpitations;
• increased anxiety;
• intestinal and stomach cramps;
• headaches;
• dizziness;
• rapid urination;
• nausea.

It is clear that none of these symptoms does not make a pregnant woman feel good, and therefore it is worth more than once to weigh the pleasure received from drinking coffee during pregnancy, and the negative consequences that may entail exceeding the allowable doses and concentrations.

Is there a categorical ban on coffee for pregnant women?

As in any rational approach to an important issue, it is important to observe the golden mean in the consumption of coffee during pregnancy. Opinions of scientists and doctors are not unanimous, and adherents of each point of view put forward their own arguments in favor of the usefulness of taking a drink and arguments against the use of coffee during pregnancy. Choosing a strategy in this matter, those who for years could not wake up without coffee, it is worth to determine for yourself that no drastic gestures should not be made – you just need to stop drinking it as water, and from a small cup of tragic consequences will not be sure.

And, of course, it is worth to consult with a doctor, who supervises the woman who is carrying the baby. Deciding whether to drink coffee during pregnancy in general, and if so, in what quantities, it is worth further analyzing the arguments of supporters and opponents, and then make your choice.

Arguments in favor of drinking the drink

Specialists who believe that it is possible to drink coffee during pregnancy, as arguments in favor of their point of view cite the following arguments about the properties of the drink, for which women prioritize it over all others, noting that coffee

• Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• gives a boost of vivacity and uplifts the mood;
• contains minerals and vitamins;
• Acts as an antioxidant.

In addition, the moral aspect should not be disregarded – women can not deprive themselves of the pleasure, without which they can’t do without, and pregnancy does not need negative emotions. Also, the drink increases blood pressure, which is useful only for women who suffer from hypotension – for them, drinking coffee during pregnancy is definitely not contraindicated in reasonable doses.

Arguments against the consumption of coffee by pregnant women

Another part of scientists is equally firmly convinced that despite the positive aspects in the consumption of coffee during pregnancy, there are much more negative in this process. And therefore it is worth to refuse its intake, both in the early and the later stages of pregnancy. At various times, scientists who have conducted studies on this issue, have established a connection between the increased risk of miscarriage and the consumption of coffee in early pregnancy. The timing of delivery is also influenced by whether the mother-to-be drinks coffee – the risk of premature birth is higher for avid coffee drinkers. A serious argument against the use of coffee during pregnancy is the leaching of calcium from the bones, the reserves of which during this period are already depleted. Also, some studies have proven the relationship of decreased birth weight and the mother’s consumption of beverage during pregnancy.

Can or not to drink coffee during pregnancy

During different periods of pregnancy the potential risks of negative influence of coffee on the fetus, its development and health of an expectant mother vary greatly. Speaking about the use of coffee during pregnancy and allowing in principle such a possibility, it is important to understand what kind of drink and what strength can afford a future mother. Categorically refuse undiluted milk or cream drink to reduce its concentration and strength, thereby reducing the amount of caffeine and preventing its negative impact on the processes going on in the body of pregnant woman and her unborn child. Each woman deciding whether or not to drink coffee during pregnancy should do it with open eyes and understanding of all possible consequences that experts predict in case of a positive decision.

Can I Drink Coffee in the First Trimester?

The 1st trimester is the most responsible and complex with regard to the possible risks of the child’s development and the preservation of pregnancy in principle. That is why in the early terms it is necessary to treat the intake of coffee drinks with particular care, in order not to provoke miscarriages. In the 1st trimester all the important organs and systems of the body are being laid down for future human life, and the fetus is not yet firmly enough fixed in the uterine cavity, so do not overdo it by taking a drink that contains caffeine.

It is better to reduce its quantity to a minimum for a while – 1 small cup in the morning and even then with observance of certain rules. The main dangerous component in the product for pregnant women is caffeine. Therefore, the main task is to reduce its content in the drink to a safe minimum. To do this is simple, following the recommendations of experts regarding the choice of the variety of the most consumed coffee during pregnancy and its preparation.

What kind of coffee is acceptable for pregnant women in the early pregnancy

In the first trimester, not wanting to give up coffee altogether, it is worth reconsidering

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The first trimester and not wishing to refuse during the pregnancy, it is worth to reconsider the quality of the drink and going to buy it, to choose the one, which contains the least amount of caffeine. The producers point out, for example, a low percentage of caffeine in a special decaffeinated variety “Columbia Decaf” – only 0,1%, and there are other varieties of the drink with a minimal presence of caffeine in them.

But in the 1st trimester it is better to drink even such coffee only in diluted form. Namely initially brew it so that it is not strong and drink it in small quantities. In addition, you should not drink the black variety of the drink, but add to it cream or milk to taste. A cup of morning coffee during pregnancy, prepared with the observance of all recommendations, certainly will not be harmful to the health of the mother and the fetus.

The Second Trimester: Can I Drink Coffee?

The 2nd trimester is no less important for laying the future body of the child and ensuring comfortable conditions for its development in the womb. It is still not worth to return to the old habits in full – coffee instead of water and on any occasion, as in the first 3 months, is an absolute taboo. It is still valid and the requirement for the choice of type of coffee consumed during pregnancy – the priority should be the varieties that contain minimal caffeine.
You should allow yourself a cup of weak and diluted drink with milk at breakfast, after a meal. It should not be done on an empty stomach, in order not to irritate the stomach walls. The end of the 2nd trimester is approaching a more stable period in relation to carrying a child, in which small indulgences in relation to coffee are possible.

Can you drink coffee in the third trimester?

The onset of the 3rd trimester indicates that the woman has successfully overcome the most dangerous periods of carrying the fetus, related to its “settling” in the mother’s body and further development. This does not mean that she can relax and forget about the precautions, including those concerning nutrition. There is a perception that the longer the term, the less risk of harming the baby by using not healthy foods or coffee during pregnancy. That is why it is considered that in the third trimester it is quite acceptable to have a couple of cups of your favorite drink. And if there is an obvious easing regarding the quantity, all other requirements for the consumption of coffee in this period remain the same. The strong sorts are forbidden until the birth. You are allowed to drink coffee only with cream or milk.

What types of coffee you shouldn’t drink at any period?

When discussing the topic of coffee consumption during pregnancy, often sound advice of “knowledgeable” women to replace the natural ground coffee with instant coffee. Among arguments in favor of this kind of drink its adherents often cite the low content of coffee proper, forgetting that it indicates a low quality of the product. You should hardly drink instant coffee during pregnancy, because low caffeine content is compensated by preservatives and other synthetics. They can disrupt the cardiovascular system and kidneys, and cause gastric disorders. Coffee 3-in-1 is not recommended for pregnant women. In fact, it has nothing in common with a natural quality drink made from whole beans, but is just a soluble modification of the drink. Its flavorings can create additional problems for pregnant women, who already often suffer from toxicity.

How much and how much coffee can be drunk during pregnancy

Speaking about how much coffee you can drink daily during pregnancy, it is worth to rely on the advice of your doctor, who observes the pregnancy, and also to remember the recommendations of the WHO, which publishes data indicating that the daily intake of caffeine should not exceed 300 mg. Representatives of scientific circles in some European countries do not recommend exceeding 200 mg per day. This amount of caffeine is equivalent to consuming no more than 2-3 servings of coffee. The best choice in terms of type would be mocha, cappuccino or latte.Thus, we can conclude that in the first trimester you can drink the smallest amount of coffee during pregnancy. It is allowed to drink this drink in a snack with something, after the main meal at breakfast – 1 small cup with the addition of cream or milk. If you feel well at a later date, you can increase the dosage to two cups per day.

Contraindications for drinking coffee during pregnancy

All recommendations concerning coffee drinking during pregnancy are related only to those women, who have no health problems during pregnancy, and pregnancy itself develops normally without pathology. However, for certain categories of women, expecting a child, the use of coffee drink is strictly prohibited. We are talking about women who are diagnosed with various diseases that may worsen when taking this drink during pregnancy.
This applies in particular to high blood pressure – arterial hypertension, as well as disorders of the nervous system – neurosis, increased excitability and anxiety. Organic acids contained in the drink, put under a ban the use of coffee during pregnancy, if the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the kidneys, and in the history of pregnant cystitis, pyelonephritis or renal failure.

What can replace coffee?

If a woman is at risk, drinking coffee during pregnancy is strictly prohibited, and it is difficult to get rid of the habit of indulging yourself with a cup of energizing drink, you can try to replace it with other, no less tasty, but safer and healthier drinks. First of all this concerns even superficially resembling coffee, cocoa and hot chocolate.

The presence of caffeine in their composition is minimal, so you can drink them without fear. A good substitute for the drink, which most women in the normal course of their lives used to tone up the body and improve mood, can be tonic decoctions of herbs, which will have on the body the same effect as coffee. If you have decided to refuse coffee during pregnancy, a good solution would be drinks from dried fruits, fresh and frozen berries and freshly squeezed juices.

Can coffee be replaced by tea?

Some women, having decided to completely abandon the drinking of coffee during pregnancy, decide to make a replacement in the easiest and, as they think, absolutely safe way – to drink tea of different varieties. But it is worth bearing in mind that tea, including its green and white varieties, has almost as much caffeine as coffee drink, and according to some researchers – even more.

So those who during pregnancy decided that taking tea would be a lesser evil for their own health and for the body of the future baby, will be disappointed. Strong tea is prohibited at any stage of pregnancy. Drink it diluted, not scalding hot, but only warm and in the same limited quantity – not more than two cups a day.

Decaffeinated coffee

The only way out of the situation, which provides a minimum risk when using a coffee drink during pregnancy, is to use for its preparation formulations, which have no caffeine or contains it in minimal quantities. It is necessary to choose them with caution, in consultation with the doctor accompanying the pregnancy. It should be high-quality products, mono-mixtures of the best coffee varieties, as well as blends of several species and varieties, created by professionals in this field.

There are a large number of decafs in which the caffeine is reduced to a minimum in the process of changing the chemical composition of the beans. Lawkaf laurina is also known, in which the achievement of low caffeine content (0.3-07%) has occurred naturally. For more advice on choosing the type of coffee and the frequency of coffee consumption during pregnancy, consult an online course nutritionist.