Caffeine helps us activate and focus quickly. But during pregnancy you should limit the amounts. We tell you the reasons.


Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide and one of the fastest-growing in the number of consumers in recent years. According to this study, every person consumes 3 kilos per year on average. The most addicted country is Finland, where each inhabitant drinks up to 8 kilos of coffee a year. If you're pregnant you may be wondering if you can still drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages. It is an important question because this substance has some effects that you should be aware of.


How does caffeine affect us?

Before seeing what consequences drinking caffeinated beverages during pregnancy can have, we must know how this bitter component affects us:

  • It stimulates the central nervous system. It happens very quickly because it is absorbed by the blood and reaches the brain. Caffeine causes a release of adrenaline.
  • It increases blood pressure. Due to stimulation of the nervous system. It increases the body temperature and reduces the feeling of fatigue.
  • It improves concentration. Several studies show that attention and concentration improve thanks to doses of caffeine.

It is said that its effects can be felt up to six hours after drinking it. The optimal dose of caffeine in adults usually depends on each person and how each one perceives the side effects, which are usually:

  • Insomnia
  • Tremors
  • Tachycardia
  • Anxiety
  • Sweating

An adult can usually tolerate 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, but avoid drinking cups of coffee and other caffeinated beverages a few hours before going to bed. Keep in mind that there can already be between 90 and 140 milligrams of caffeine in a single cup of coffee.


What are the risks of drinking caffeine during pregnancy?

Based on a series of studies published in recent years, we are going to indicate observations to understand why drinking excessive caffeine during pregnancy can be dangerous.

First of all, in 2021 a study made with more than 2000 women was published in the JAMA Network magazine. In a nutshell, the main conclusion was that increased caffeine consumption is significantly associated with lower birth weight, height, and circumferences of the head, arm, and thigh of the baby. The same researchers highlighted that even drinking less than the recommended 200 milligrams per day per person can already lead to complications in the growth of the fetus.

Almost 51,000 pregnant women were the participants of another study published in 2018. It concluded that caffeine consumption during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of childhood overweight, mainly in preschool ages. Maternal caffeine intake can affect the growth of the child from birth to 8 years of age.

There is also another risk indicated in this analysis published in 2013. The findings suggested that maternal consumption of coffee during pregnancy may increase the risk of acute childhood leukaemia. However, there are still not many explorations that support this observation.

Although it has not been confirmed that the relationships between caffeine and the aforementioned baby weight problems are cause-and-effect, what is important to know is that caffeine is a substance that the body takes time to eliminate.


So can I drink coffee during pregnancy?

Yes, you can drink coffee while pregnant. But we recommend doing it in a much more controlled way and, especially, reducing the amount of caffeine. Even so, if you do not feel any dependence on drinks with this substance, it is better to avoid them.


How much coffee is safe to drink during pregnancy?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advise pregnant women not to exceed 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is roughly equivalent to a 320ml cup of coffee. In other words, drinking one large or two small cups a day is safe during pregnancy. If your intention is to avoid caffeine, you can start by mixing regular coffee with decaf coffee to make it easier for you to switch completely to decaf later.


Keep in mind that you'll also find caffeine in many energy drinks, chocolate, tea, and some medications.