Is It Bad To Drink Coffee While Pregnant?
Short answer
Drinking limited amounts of coffee may be okay for the unborn child, but there is no reason to take the risk.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
An exact risk assessment regarding drinking coffee while pregnant is impossible to come by unless pregnant women were to volunteer to drink specified amounts of coffee and have the effects monitored. Since it is both difficult to come by women who would voluntarily risk their pregnancies for the sake of science and unethical to even propose such an experiment, any risk assessment is based on studies collected after the fact. However, even these studies vary.
One study seems to suggest pregnant women will be fine as long as they don’t drink over five cups of coffee per day, while other studies show an increased risk of miscarriage beyond 200 mg of caffeine (around two cups of instant coffee). So, what is the limit? Considering there is no specific answer and everyone reacts to caffeine differently, the answer is zero. While we may not know the specific risk assessment, we do know what caffeine does to the pregnant body.
Caffeine is a drug which can cross the placenta and limit blood flow thereto. It can also increase blood pressure as well as blood sugar levels. A further complication of caffeine is that it can overtax the liver. A properly functioning liver is especially vital during pregnancy, as it is processing the extra hormonal demands.
Based on what caffeine can do to the body while pregnant and the lack of conclusive statistics, you would be safest avoiding coffee completely. However, if the thought of no coffee for nine months is too much to bear, at the very least do your best to avoid or drastically limit your intake (to absolutely no more than two cups in a day), especially during the first trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is greatest.
Possible short-term side effects
- stress on the liver
-
increased blood pressure
-
increased blood sugar
-
decreased placenta blood flow
Possible long-term side effects
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthier alternatives
Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. Thank you!
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Approved by 
