Can I Drink Caffeine When Pregnant?
Wondering if that morning cup of coffee is still on the table now that you're expecting? Let's delve into the details with insights from Senior NHS Midwife Hannah O’Sullivan.
If you're accustomed to relying on caffeine to kickstart your day, it might be time to explore alternative ways to stay alert during pregnancy. Why? Because consuming large amounts of caffeine has been associated with potential complications like miscarriage, stillbirth, and hindered fetal growth. Caffeine's impact on heart rate and blood pressure is swift, typically noticeable within 15 minutes of consumption. It's no joke.
The metabolism of caffeine is a key factor here. While its immediate effects wear off relatively quickly, the body continues to process caffeine for around 5 hours. The time it takes you to break down caffeine and flush it out of your system depends on factors such as your age, your body weight and how much caffeine your body is used to.
Your baby’s liver, on the other hand, is immature and still developing, and thus less able to metabolise the caffeine that crosses the placenta. While a small amount of caffeine is thought to be safe (current NHS advice is to limit intake to 200mcg a day) new research by Tommy’s has found that risks from caffeine rise as intake increases, and so recommends limiting caffeine as much as possible.
How do you know how much caffeine you’re consuming?
The NHS makes recommendations about limiting caffeine intake, but calculating how much caffeine is in various food is complicated, and this is part of the issue. The problem is, caffeine isn’t just in coffee! Caffeine hides in various foods and beverages. Surprisingly, even three cups of tea can exceed the recommended 200mcg limit. Chocolate, green tea, soft drinks like cola, and energy drinks also contribute significant caffeine levels.
To help monitor your intake, Tommy’s offers a caffeine calculator to estimate how much caffeine you are consuming. While the overall risk remains low, their research underscores the importance of moderation.
How can you limit your caffeine intake?
Fear not, there are alternatives! Consider switching to decaffeinated versions of your favourite drink, though keep in mind that decaf doesn't mean zero caffeine. Herbal teas are another low caffeine option worth exploring. Interestingly, in early pregnancy you may find you have a nauseas response to coffee, and sometimes even tea, so you might find it easier than expected to cut out caffeine.
If you do decide to cut back on caffeine, be prepared for potential withdrawal symptoms like headaches. Rest assured, these effects are temporary and manageable. So, while that morning cuppa might need some adjustments during pregnancy, there are plenty of ways to stay energised and healthy for you and your baby.
Got more pregnancy questions? Check out our amazing The Ultimate Birth Pack. From two blue lines to babe in arms, we’ve got you.
