Coffee

I'm not sure if there has been a thread on this recently but I was just wondering whether other people are drinking coffee during their pregnancy.
I LOVE my morning flat white normally. I stopped having it for the first four months but since then have been having the odd one but making it a single shot (and no more than one every three days) I asked the midwife and she said it is fine but I sort of feel a bit guilty and a bit worried it could make the baby hyperactive or something. Have stopped having it again but am just curious what other people's opinions are on this.

Maybe you should opt for the decaf option if you are not sure.

I've checked with my GP as I have to have my morning fix and have been told up to 3 cups max is OK (not just coffee but all drinks with caffeine). I seem to have kind of gone off coffee a little bit so I easily fit into that. I have 1/2 strength cappochino in the morning and (sometimes) a tea at afternoon tea break. I don't drink any soft drinks/energy drinks and don't munch chocolate etc so I think I'm doing OK.

i start my day with a morning coffee myself, and limit myself to no more than 2 (maybe 3) a day. but my coffee is really weak. i gave up earlier on in pregnancy and got massive headaches, should of persisted a few more days but went back to my old habit! oh well.... like everyone else has said it is fine but limit it to 3 a day max.

How much caffeine?

Caffeine is naturally present in several plants, including the coffee bean, cocoa bean (which makes chocolate) and the tea leaf. It is a substance that is consumed by almost every culture, on a regular basis worldwide, mainly for the mild stimulant effects and the enjoyable taste.

The caffeine content in plants will depend on the type of plant, as well as the soil and climate in which it is grown. On average, caffeine constitutes about 1-2% of roasted coffee beans. However, the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee will depend on the grind, how it is brewed and the strength at which it is made. For example, Robusta coffee beans are stronger than Arabica coffee beans and espresso coffee is stronger than instant coffee.

Fresh tea leaves have about 3.5% caffeine. The amount of caffeine you obtain from tea depends on the type of leaf used and how strong you like your tea. For example, the average cup of tea will contain about 50 mgs of caffeine, but this can range from 20 to 90mgs, depending on the strength of the tea.

There are now 'decaffeinated' brands of coffee and tea available,which contain minimal amounts of caffeine. Many herbal teas do not contain caffeine.

The following is a guide to the AVERAGE amounts of caffeine in certain products. The caffeine content of tea and coffee varies widely, depending on the brand, the way that the individual makes their beverage, and the size of their mug or cup. For example, some Coffee Houses (e.g. Starbucks ) sell special brews that come in extra large containers with extra strong varieties of coffee, which may provide 500-1000 mg of caffeine per serve. For other products, such as medications, herbal remedies, commercial foods, drink cans and bottles, check the labels to find out exactly how much caffeine they contain.

Beverage or food     Average amount of caffeine in milligrams (mgs)
Short black/Espresso coffee     107 mg per standard serve, commercial purchase
Plunger/percolated coffee     60 - 120 mg per 250mL (8oz) cup
Instant coffee (1 teaspoon per cup)     60 - 80 mg per 250mL (8oz) cup
Decaffeinated coffee (1 teaspoon)     3 mg per 250mL (8oz) cup
Tea     10 - 50 mg per 250mL (8oz) cup
Iced tea     70 mg per 250mL (8oz) can
Caffeinated ' Energy' Drinks     80 mg per 250mL (8oz) can
Cola drink     40 - 49 mg per 375mL (12.6oz) can
Hot chocolate     10 mg per 250mL (8oz) cup
Chocolate milk     5 mg per 250mL (8oz) cup
Milk chocolate     20 mg per 100gm bar
Dark chocolate     70 mg per 100gm bar
Chocolate syrup     5 mg per 30 gm


If you have caffeine in moderation, it is generally accepted that it is not harmful to good health. As a guide to what is considered a reasonable intake:

    * 'Light to moderate' intakes are believed to be less than about 250 to 300 milligrams a day.
    * Intakes of 300 to 600 mg a day are believed to be 'moderate to heavy'.
    * More than 600mg a day is believed to be excessively high.
    * During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the recommended intake is aimed at being under 200mg a day.

Some caregivers will use the guide of having less than 5 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight each day, for men and non-pregnant women. Therefore a person weighing 65 kilograms would have about 325 mgs a day.

NOTE:To convert pounds into kilograms you divide the number of pounds by 2.2 (for example 136 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 61.8 kg).

Edited by tastic

I have had the odd coffee, but I probably drink about 3 cups of tea a day and doctor said that was fine!!
I think the main thing is moderation - like the others said - dont deprive youself of you morning fix, but dont have 10 cups a day!

I went right off coffee in my first trimester and haven't got my taste for it back yet...

From everything I've been told though a cup a day is fine. I've even heard up to 3 cups is ok but personally I wouldn't...baby wriggles enough as it is without a caffine boast!

I do indulge in hot chocolates though and the sugar can make her wriggle too!

Edited by Paws

YAY! Am so pleased to read all those replies. Thanks heap everyone. I will keep doing what I was doing and enjoy the 'treat' without feeling guilty!