Pregnancy can feel magical at times, you are after all growing another little human inside of you. However it can sometimes feel unfair as it forces to give up some of your favourite things in the world for nine months (wine, raw sushi, unpasteurised cheese, caffeine…), definitely not an easy feat!
If you’re someone who relies on at least a cup of coffee or two to power through the day, you might be dreading the thought of giving that up now that you’re pregnant. There is a lot of conflicting information and science regarding whether coffee (or caffeinated drinks) can negatively impact the health of the fetus.
Here's more information on whether coffee or caffeine is safe during pregnancy, and if so how much.
Can pregnant women drink coffee?
Yes, pregnant women can drink coffee if they want to as long as it is in moderation. The good news is that you no longer have to kick your caffeine habit completely once you're expecting a baby.
Pregnant women in the past were advised to avoid coffee and other forms of caffeinated drinks entirely. However, recent research has found that moderate amounts are safe, as long as you take a couple of precautions.
So how much is a moderate amount of caffeine?
Keeping a moderate amount of coffee intake per day coffee is roughly about 1.5cups (8 ounces or 237ml) per day; this size generally contains less than 200 milligrams of caffeine. This piece of advice is also backed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); the organization says that less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day "does not appear to be" a factor you need to worry about in regards to miscarriage or preterm birth, per a committee opinion.
The amount of caffeine per beverage and serving will vary from substance to substance, but here is a caffeine cheat sheet for your favourite cup of coffee:
