Caffeine and Pregnancy: Understanding the Risks

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Caffeine is the most popular stimulant in the United States and most people consume some form of caffeinated beverage every day. When you’re pregnant, it’s important to know the facts about caffeine and pregnancy and the potential risks your unborn child may face from caffeine consumption.

Caffeine and Pregnancy: Effects on Your Baby
Because caffeine is both a diuretic and a stimulant, it increases your heart rate and blood pressure. For this reason alone it’s not recommended during pregnancy. Caffeine can also cause dehydration by increasing the frequency of urination. Keep in mind that caffeine does cross the placenta to reach your baby, and your baby does not have a mature metabolism that can handle large amounts. Any amount of caffeine is usually enough to have some change in your baby’s movement pattern and sleep pattern toward the end of your pregnancy.

Caffeine and Pregnancy: Pregnancy Risks
Along with the effect caffeine has on your baby, it is also associated with some pregnancy risks. Studies on animals show that large amounts of caffeine cause preterm delivery, reduced fertility, low birth weight and birth defects. Still, these studies are inconclusive. Other studies show that caffeine does increase your risk of miscarriage, making you twice as likely to miscarry if you consume more than 200mg of caffeine each day.

Caffeine and Pregnancy: Safe Amounts
Despite these risks, most studies show that daily caffeine consumption under 200mg is safe for pregnant women. There are no associated risks with caffeine and pregnancy in moderate amounts between 200 and 350 mg each day. Drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee and soda is safe as long as you aim for under 300 mg each day. As a guideline, remember a 6oz cup of green tea contains 40mg, a 12oz Pepsi has 38mg and a 16 oz Starbucks House Blend coffee has 259mg.