Ask An Expert: Coffee When Pregnant

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Ask An Expert: Coffee When Pregnant

Question:

During the early stages of pregnancy, can you drink coffee? My partner works nights and drinks a lot of coffee. Are there other, safer alternatives to the caffeine from coffee?

Answer:

Excessive amounts of caffeine intake during pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of miscarriage and low birth-weight babies. However, small amounts of caffeine appear to be safe. The most common recommendation is that pregnant women not exceed 300 milligrams of caffeine per day.

An average-size cup of regular coffee has about 100 milligrams per serving (assuming the cup is truly 8 ounces). However, the amount of caffeine can vary considerably depending on the strength and size of the "cup."

Caffeine is caffeine, whether it is in coffee, tea, sodas or any other beverage or food. So there is no safer caffeine alternative. It is the amount of caffeine that seems to be the critical factor, not the other ingredients in coffee.

For women trying to get pregnant, caffeine intake should also remain moderate. Some medical studies suggest that caffeine may decrease fertility.

Answer:

Excessive amounts of caffeine intake during pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of miscarriage and low birth-weight babies. However, small amounts of caffeine appear to be safe. The most common recommendation is that pregnant women not exceed 300 milligrams of caffeine per day.

An average-size cup of regular coffee has about 100 milligrams per serving (assuming the cup is truly 8 ounces). However, the amount of caffeine can vary considerably depending on the strength and size of the "cup."

Caffeine is caffeine, whether it is in coffee, tea, sodas or any other beverage or food. So there is no safer caffeine alternative. It is the amount of caffeine that seems to be the critical factor, not the other ingredients in coffee.

For women trying to get pregnant, caffeine intake should also remain moderate. Some medical studies suggest that caffeine may decrease fertility.

Question:

During the early stages of pregnancy, can you drink coffee? My partner works nights and drinks a lot of coffee. Are there other, safer alternatives to the caffeine from coffee?

Answer:

Excessive amounts of caffeine intake during pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of miscarriage and low birth-weight babies. However, small amounts of caffeine appear to be safe. The most common recommendation is that pregnant women not exceed 300 milligrams of caffeine per day.

An average-size cup of regular coffee has about 100 milligrams per serving (assuming the cup is truly 8 ounces). However, the amount of caffeine can vary considerably depending on the strength and size of the "cup."

Caffeine is caffeine, whether it is in coffee, tea, sodas or any other beverage or food. So there is no safer caffeine alternative. It is the amount of caffeine that seems to be the critical factor, not the other ingredients in coffee.

For women trying to get pregnant, caffeine intake should also remain moderate. Some medical studies suggest that caffeine may decrease fertility.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

Last updated:	April 02, 2007
Reviewed By:	Faculty of Harvard Medical School