Can I drink coffee during pregnancy?
Limit Yes, up to 200 mg of caffeine a day
Yes, in moderation. Keep your total caffeine under 200 mg a day: roughly one mug of filter coffee or two mugs of instant coffee. Count tea, cola, chocolate and energy drinks too.
Is coffee safe in pregnancy?
Your baby can't break down caffeine as quickly as you can. Studies link high caffeine intake in pregnancy with low birth weight and a higher risk of miscarriage. The NHS, ACOG and other health bodies recommend no more than 200 mg a day. Within that limit, coffee is considered safe.
Benefits
- Can help with tiredness, within the limit
- Some women find it eases headaches from caffeine withdrawal
Risks to know about
- Too much caffeine is linked with low birth weight and miscarriage
- Can make heartburn and trouble sleeping worse
- Large coffee-shop drinks can contain well over 200 mg
How to drink it safely
- Count your caffeine: a mug of filter coffee is about 140 mg, instant about 100 mg, an espresso shot about 60 to 75 mg
- Order a small size, or ask for a single shot
- Try half-caf or decaf after your first cup
- Avoid coffee late in the day if sleep is a problem
Questions about coffee in pregnancy
Is decaf coffee safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Decaf contains only a few milligrams of caffeine per cup.
Can I drink Arabic coffee (gahwa)?
Yes, in small amounts. The small cups contain less coffee, but several cups add up. Count roughly 30 to 50 mg per small cup and stay under 200 mg a day.
Should I stop coffee completely in the first trimester?
You don't need to, as long as you stay under 200 mg a day. Some women go off coffee naturally because of nausea.
General information, not medical advice. If you have a condition such as gestational diabetes or an allergy, ask your doctor or midwife what's right for you.