Coffee During Pregnancy – When and What Amounts Are Allowable

Pregnancy leads most women to reconsider many aspects of their lives, including their diet and the consumption of coffee during pregnancy. For many women, it’s not even a part of their diet – they can’t imagine starting the day without a cup of strong coffee, so they try to find a compromise, continuing to drink coffee without overindulging. 

Women may not realize that they might have to give up this habit, which over many years has become second nature, and in their effort to find out how coffee affects pregnancy, they look for ways to minimize potential risks. Debates on this topic continue even among professionals—dietitians and gynecologists try to find a consensus on the optimal solution for women’s bodies during pregnancy.

How Coffee Affects the Body of a Pregnant Woman

When discussing the impact of coffee consumption on a pregnant woman’s condition, it is important to understand how the caffeine contained in it affects the human body. This is crucial to recognize because all negative properties of the substance are significantly intensified for a woman in this state. If a woman does not wish to give up coffee during pregnancy, she should be aware that too much coffee and caffeine can lead to:

• diarrhea;
• increased heart rate;
• heightened anxiety;
• cramps in the intestines and stomach;
• headaches;
• dizziness;
• frequent urination;
• nausea.

It is clear that none of the symptoms listed add to a pregnant woman’s well-being, and therefore, it is worth weighing the pleasure derived from consuming coffee during pregnancy against the negative consequences that may arise from exceeding acceptable doses and concentrations.

Is there an absolute ban on coffee for pregnant women

As with any rational approach to an important issue, when consuming coffee during pregnancy, it is important to maintain a golden middle ground. The opinions of scientists and doctors are not unanimous, and proponents of each viewpoint offer their arguments for the benefits of drinking this beverage and against the consumption of coffee during pregnancy. When choosing a strategy on this matter, those who have relied on coffee for years to wake up should recognize that drastic measures are unnecessary – simply moderating it rather than drinking it like water is advised. A small cup certainly won’t lead to catastrophic consequences. 

And, of course, it is worth consulting the doctor who is monitoring the woman expecting a child. When deciding whether to drink coffee during pregnancy at all, and if so, in what quantities, it’s worth further analyzing the arguments of both proponents and opponents, and then make your choice.

Arguments in favor of consuming the drink

Specialists who believe that coffee can be consumed during pregnancy provide the following arguments in favor of their point of view regarding the properties of the drink, which make women prioritize it over all others, noting that coffee:

• improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• provides a boost of energy and elevates mood;
• contains minerals and vitamins;
• acts as an antioxidant.

Moreover, we should not overlook the moral aspect – women cannot deprive themselves of pleasures they are accustomed to, and during pregnancy negative emotions are unnecessary. Additionally, the drink increases blood pressure, which is beneficial only for women suffering from hypotension – for them, drinking coffee during pregnancy is definitely not contraindicated in reasonable amounts.

Arguments against coffee consumption during pregnancy

Another group of scientists is equally convinced that despite the existing positive aspects of consuming coffee during pregnancy, the negatives significantly outweigh them. Therefore, it is advisable to refrain from its intake both in the early and late stages of pregnancy. Various studies over time have established a link between an increased risk of miscarriage and coffee consumption in early pregnancy. The time of childbirth is also influenced by whether the expectant mother drinks coffee – avid coffee drinkers are more prone to the risk of premature birth. A serious argument against drinking coffee during pregnancy is the leaching of calcium from the bones, whose reserves are already depleted during this period. Separate studies have also proven the connection between reduced birth weight of newborns and the mother’s consumption of the beverage during pregnancy.

Is it permissible for pregnant women to drink coffee

During different stages of pregnancy, the potential risks of coffee’s negative impact on the fetus, its development, and the future mother’s health vary significantly. When discussing coffee consumption during pregnancy and considering this possibility, it’s important to understand what kind of drink and how strong the expecting mother can indulge in. It is crucial to categorically avoid coffee that is undiluted with milk or cream to reduce its concentration and strength, thus lowering the caffeine content and preventing its negative impact on the processes occurring in the pregnant woman’s body and her future child. In deciding whether to drink coffee during pregnancy, each woman should do so with her eyes wide open and an understanding of all possible consequences predicted by specialists should she decide positively.

Is it safe to drink coffee in the first trimester

The first trimester is the most critical and challenging in terms of potential risks to the development of the child and the continuation of the pregnancy itself. Therefore, in the early stages, coffee consumption should be approached with particular caution to avoid triggering a miscarriage. During the first trimester, all the vital organs and systems of the body essential for a person’s future life are forming, and the fetus is not yet securely attached to the uterine cavity, so consuming beverages containing caffeine should be minimized. 

It is better to reduce the amount to a minimum — one small cup in the morning, and even that with certain precautions. The main hazardous component for pregnant women in the product is caffeine. Therefore, the primary task is to reduce its content in the drink to a safe minimum. This can be easily done by following expert recommendations on the choice of coffee type most commonly consumed during pregnancy and its preparation.

Which Coffee is Allowable for Pregnant Women in Early Stages

In the first trimester, if you don’t want to completely give up coffee, it’s worth reconsidering

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the quality of the beverage consumed. When going to purchase it, keep in mind to choose one with the least amount of caffeine. Manufacturers indicate, for example, a low caffeine percentage in the special decaffeinated variety “Columbia Decaf” – only 0.1%. There are other varieties with minimal caffeine content. 

However, in the 1st trimester, it is better to drink even such coffee only in diluted form. Specifically, it should initially be brewed so that it is not strong and consumed in small amounts. Furthermore, you should avoid drinking the black variety of the beverage – be sure to add low-fat cream or milk to it according to taste. A morning cup of coffee during pregnancy, prepared following all recommendations, is unlikely to harm the mother’s health or the fetus’s condition.

Second trimester: is it allowed to drink coffee

The second trimester is no less important for laying the foundation for the future child’s body and ensuring comfortable conditions for its development in the womb. It is still not advisable to return to previous habits in full – coffee instead of water for any occasion is, as in the first 3 months, an absolute taboo. The requirement for the choice of coffee type during pregnancy remains relevant – varieties that contain a minimal amount of caffeine should be prioritized. 
You can allow yourself a cup of weak, diluted coffee with milk at breakfast, after a meal. It is not advisable to do this on an empty stomach to avoid irritating the stomach walls. The end of the second trimester brings a more stable period for carrying the child, during which slight relaxations regarding coffee may be possible.

Can you drink coffee in the third trimester?

The onset of the 3rd trimester indicates that a woman has successfully overcome the most dangerous periods of pregnancy, related to the ‘settling’ of the fetus in the mother’s body and its further development. This does not mean she can relax and forget about precautions, including those related to nutrition. It is commonly believed that the longer the term, the lower the risk of harming the baby by consuming unhealthy food or coffee during pregnancy. Therefore, it is considered acceptable to drink a couple of cups of your favorite beverage in the 3rd trimester. And while there is a clear relaxation regarding the quantity, all other requirements for consuming coffee during this period remain unchanged. Strong types are prohibited until the very birth. It is allowed to drink coffee only with cream or milk.

What kind of coffee should not be drunk at any term

When discussing the topic of coffee consumption during pregnancy, it’s common to hear advice from “knowledgeable” women to replace natural ground coffee with instant coffee. Among the arguments in favor of this type of drink, its adherents often cite the low content of actual coffee in its composition, forgetting that this also indicates the low quality of the product. Pregnant women are likely better off avoiding instant coffee, as its low caffeine content is offset by the presence of preservatives and other synthetic substances. These can disrupt the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and cause stomach disorders. 3-in-1 coffee is not recommended during pregnancy either. In reality, it has nothing in common with a natural quality drink made from whole beans and is merely an instant modification of the beverage. Its flavorings can create additional problems for pregnant women, who are often already plagued by toxicosis.

How much and how can you drink coffee during pregnancy

When discussing how much coffee can be consumed daily during pregnancy, it is important to rely on the advice of the doctor overseeing the pregnancy, as well as remember WHO recommendations, which suggest that daily caffeine intake should not exceed 300 mg. Scientific representatives from 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 choices in terms of type would be mocha, cappuccino, or latte. Thus, it can be concluded that in the first trimester, the smallest amount of coffee can be consumed during pregnancy. This drink is allowed to be enjoyed with something, after the main breakfast meal – 1 small cup with the addition of cream or milk. If feeling well in later stages, the dosage can be increased to two cups per day.

Contraindications for Coffee Consumption During Pregnancy

All recommendations regarding coffee consumption during pregnancy are relevant only to those women who have no health issues throughout the pregnancy, and the pregnancy itself progresses normally without pathologies. However, for certain categories of women expecting a child, drinking coffee is strictly prohibited. This applies to women diagnosed with various diseases that may worsen with the intake of the beverage during pregnancy. 
This particularly concerns high blood pressure – arterial hypertension, as well as disorders of the nervous system – neuroses, increased excitability, anxiety. The organic acids contained in the beverage prohibit coffee consumption during pregnancy if there are issues with the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the kidneys, and if there’s a history of cystitis, pyelonephritis, or renal failure in the pregnant woman.

What can replace coffee

If a woman is in the high-risk group, drinking coffee during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. If she finds it difficult to give up the habit of treating herself to a cup of an invigorating drink, she can try replacing it with other, equally tasty but more safe and healthy beverages. This primarily concerns beverages that even externally resemble coffee, like cocoa and hot chocolate. 

Their caffeine content is minimal, so they can be consumed without fear. A good substitute for the drink, which most women usually consume to energize their body and improve mood, can be invigorating herbal infusions that will have the same effect on the body as coffee. If the decision is made to give up coffee during pregnancy, beverages made from dried fruits, fresh and frozen berries, and freshly squeezed juices are a good solution.

Can coffee be replaced with tea?

Some women, deciding to completely give up coffee during pregnancy, choose to substitute it in the simplest and, as they believe, absolutely safe way – drinking tea of different varieties. However, it should be noted that tea, including its green and white varieties, contains almost as much caffeine as coffee-based drinks, or, according to some researchers, even more. 

Therefore, those who decide during pregnancy that consuming tea will be a lesser evil for their own health and the developing baby’s body will be disappointed. Strong tea is prohibited at any stage of pregnancy. It can be consumed only very diluted, not scaldingly hot, but warm, and in similarly limited quantity – no more than 2 cups per day. 

Decaffeinated Coffee

The only way to minimize the risk of consuming coffee during pregnancy is to use blends that are caffeine-free or contain minimal amounts of caffeine. You should choose them carefully by consulting with the doctor overseeing your pregnancy. These should be high-quality products, single-origin blends from the best coffee varieties, as well as expertly created blends from various types and varieties.

There are a large number of decaf options where caffeine is reduced to a minimum by altering the chemical composition of the beans. Laurina low-caf, known for its naturally low caffeine content (0.3-07%), is also available. For more detailed advice on the type of coffee and how often to consume it during pregnancy, you can consult a dietitian through an online course.