Is it possible for pregnant women to drink coffee in the early and late stages?

The effect of coffee on the female body

Coffee is a tonic drink that can quickly drive away sleep and energize you. It contains a large amount of aromatic substances that give the drink a unique aroma.

You can drink no more than 4 cups of coffee per day

The composition also contains alkaloids - tonic compounds that provide a surge of energy after each cup of coffee. An important place among them is caffeine, the concentration of which depends on the type of coffee. On average, one coffee spoon of ground coffee contains approximately 0.2 g of caffeine.

The aromatic product also contains many vitamins, mineral salts and carbohydrates. It is worth noting that the chemical composition of coffee beans is not fully understood, for this reason most of the components have not yet been identified.

Interesting fact: 100 g of coffee can provide 50% of a person’s daily needs for riboflavin, phosphorus, iron and vitamin D; up to 20% - carbohydrates, amino acids, calcium and sodium; up to 132% of the daily value of nicotinic acid.

Such a rich chemical composition has both benefits and harm to the human body. Its effect on a woman directly depends on the volume of drink consumed and the personal characteristics of the body.

The benefits of coffee when consumed in moderation (no more than 3 cups per day) are due to the fact that the product:

• improves mood;
• charges with positive energy;
• enhances concentration and performance;
• prevents the development of caries;
• activates intestinal function;
• normalizes the condition of vegetative-vascular dystonia, hypotension;
• exhibits antioxidant effects;
• minimizes the likelihood of the formation of malignant tumors and cardiovascular pathologies;
• improves the condition during exacerbation of bronchial asthma.

Sometimes coffee becomes the safest product for low blood pressure, especially in the early stages of pregnancy.

Benefits of decaffeinated coffee

That's right: in small quantities, decaf coffee can be beneficial, especially for pregnant women.

• Improves brain function, maintains mental clarity, helps to concentrate. This is important for those women who continue to work during pregnancy, drive a car, or simply feel that they have become more distracted;
• You can drink it even at night, which helps during the vagaries of pregnancy, when you suddenly have an unbearable craving for a certain product. Even if coffee is prohibited, you can drink 3-4 sips of decaffeinated coffee, and it will not harm the body or disturb sleep;
• Potassium and magnesium are good for the cardiovascular system, iron improves blood, phosphorus is important for bones. Both the woman and her unborn child, who is forming and growing, need all this.

In any case, if you are in doubt between a regular and decaffeinated drink, it is better to give preference to the latter, at least during pregnancy.

Benefits and harms

In the absence of health problems and moderate consumption of the drink, it does not cause harm to health, but only brings benefits. Expectant mothers suffering from hypotension and vegetative-vascular dystonia can drink weak coffee only in the morning after breakfast.

It is useful to drink the drink in the 2nd trimester, especially if the pregnant woman experiences swelling. Coffee beans have a good diuretic effect, which removes excess fluid from the body, eliminating swelling. This technique is acceptable in the absence of gestosis, anemia and protein in the urine.

This is where the beneficial qualities of coffee for pregnant women end. Harm from the drink can occur at any stage of pregnancy, including the 3rd trimester, and is expressed in the following:

1. Due to the diuretic effect, calcium, phosphorus and potassium are washed out of the body. This is fraught with problems with skeletal development in the fetus and osteoporosis in the pregnant woman.
2. If you drink more than 4 cups of coffee per day in the second trimester, this can lead to low birth weight of the baby.
3. Caffeine increases blood pressure, which causes the blood vessels and vascular cells of the placenta to narrow. All this leads to fetal hypoxia and fetoplacental insufficiency.
4. All substances contained in coffee are able to penetrate the placental barrier, causing a change in the child’s heart rate.
5. If you drink coffee with hypertension, it can cause a miscarriage.
6. An overdose of caffeine provokes nervous tension in a pregnant woman, as well as sleep disturbances, aggressiveness, anxiety and irritability.

Caffeine and pregnancy

Caffeine is a stimulant found in a variety of plants, including coffee, cocoa and guarana, and may have beneficial effects on neurological diseases, heart disease, liver disease, diabetes and some types of cancer ().
However, during pregnancy, caffeine is broken down more slowly and can cross the placenta into the growing baby's bloodstream - where it cannot be broken down ().

Although the exact mechanisms are not yet known, some studies have linked high caffeine intake during pregnancy to low birth weight, growth restriction, miscarriage, and a higher risk of childhood overweight (, , , , ).

However, the precise relationship of caffeine to negative pregnancy outcomes is still an active area of ​​research, and its effects may vary significantly between individuals (, ).

Given the current state of knowledge, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women consume no more than 200 mg of caffeine per day from all sources ().

One cup (240 ml) of brewed black regular coffee contains 96 mg of caffeine. Therefore, most guidelines recommend limiting regular coffee consumption to approximately 2 cups (480 ml) per day ().

Conclusion:

Caffeine is a stimulant found in a variety of plants, including coffee, cocoa and guarana. High caffeine intake may be associated with some negative birth outcomes, so it is recommended that pregnant women limit caffeine intake to 200 mg per day.

Why pregnant women have different attitudes towards coffee

In the case when a woman was indifferent to coffee before conception, then, as a rule, nothing changes during the period of bearing a child. And in some cases, its intolerance may even be observed, especially during toxicosis. The smell of coffee can cause loss of consciousness, slight malaise and even vomiting.

German scientists have conducted studies according to which women who drink coffee often have problems conceiving. It is for this reason that at the planning stage of pregnancy it is better to remove this drink from your diet.

But why are some women unable to deny themselves coffee, consuming it in large quantities? This is due to several reasons:

1. The desire to regularly receive energy “recharging”. It may not seem true to you that coffee is just as addictive as cigarettes and energy drinks. After caffeine enters the body, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the brain, stimulating the synthesis of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that causes a feeling of joy and cheerfulness. This effect lasts only a couple of hours, after which the body requires an additional portion of caffeine.
2. Lack of iron in the body - this condition provokes hypoxia in the pregnant woman and fetus, loss of strength and deterioration in well-being. In such a case, you should consult a doctor, if the diagnosis is confirmed, undergo the necessary treatment, and not improve your well-being with a coffee drink.

Coffee is an invigorating drink that has contraindications

Coffee during pregnancy

Some expectant mothers can still afford a cup of coffee during pregnancy. Those who cannot wake up without a hot aromatic drink, as well as those who have low blood pressure, can drink coffee, but with certain restrictions. It is best to choose coffee with a low caffeine content, be sure to drink it with milk and, of course, not on an empty stomach.

Coffee has the ability to flush calcium from the body, so a cup of strong drink must contain milk. It helps reduce calcium loss and balance the drink. Calcium is a very important substance necessary for the structure of the skeleton of the unborn baby; it must be supplied to the body of a pregnant woman along with food. The best sources of calcium are cottage cheese, fish, milk, vegetables, cheese, etc. Lack of calcium is always transmitted from mother to child and can cause osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, not all pregnant girls eat properly and nutritiously. The fear of gaining extra pounds forces them to go on strict diets, which are contraindicated not only for mothers, but also for their future children. Doctors are sounding the alarm about this, because such irresponsible women doom the unborn baby to suffering. And they themselves can develop osteoporosis, bone fractures, metabolic problems, low immunity and even wrinkles. By the way, a person’s calcium reserve accumulates only up to the age of 30, then every year it begins to be consumed by approximately 1% per year. That is why young women 25-30 years old should have dairy products in their diet.

How much coffee can I have?

Pregnancy is a period when you need to be careful about your diet and health. If before conception a woman could afford to lead an unhealthy lifestyle and eat unhealthy, now she cannot do this. Experts recommend avoiding coffee during pregnancy, as it has a negative effect on the pregnant woman’s body and the condition of the fetus.

According to studies, excessive consumption of an aromatic drink in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, and in later stages it can cause premature birth. But such consequences arise only when the pregnant woman drinks a really lot of coffee. For example, a cup of coffee drunk because of low blood pressure will not lead to such complications.

To answer the question of whether pregnant women can drink coffee, scientists from Denmark conducted an experiment. According to the results obtained, a pregnant woman can drink up to 150 mg of coffee without harm to her health. This volume of product will improve your well-being, give you energy, raise your blood pressure and will not affect the baby in the womb in any way.

Similar studies were carried out with the joint participation of European, American and Australian scientists. Based on the results, in 2010 they made recommendations according to which you can consume up to 200 g of caffeine per day, which is equivalent to 2 cups of coffee.

It should be noted that this dosage is applicable only to women whose pregnancy proceeds without complications. If you have kidney and liver pathologies, as well as anemia, it is better not to drink coffee at all. The drink is especially dangerous in the 3rd trimester in the presence of highly progressive gestosis.

How does coffee affect a pregnant woman's body?

Speaking about the effect of drinking coffee on the condition of a pregnant woman, it is worth understanding how the caffeine contained in it affects the human body. This is important to understand due to the fact that all the negative properties of the substance for a woman in this state are significantly enhanced. While not wanting to give up drinking coffee during pregnancy, a woman should be aware that too much coffee and caffeine in it can lead to:

• diarrhea;
• rapid heartbeat;
• increased anxiety;
• spasms in the intestines and stomach;
• headaches;
• dizziness;
• frequent urination;
• nausea.

It is clear that none of the listed symptoms makes a pregnant woman feel good, which means that it is worth weighing more than once the pleasure received from drinking coffee during pregnancy and the negative consequences that may result from exceeding the permissible doses and concentrations.

How to drink coffee

There are certain rules for drinking a drink made from coffee beans during pregnancy. Here they are:

1. Drink the drink only after meals, as drinking on an empty stomach causes irritation of the stomach lining, which will lead to nausea, heartburn and pain in this organ.
2. It is advisable to dilute coffee with natural cream or milk. This procedure will reduce the strength of the drink and replenish calcium reserves.
3. If you drink coffee, be aware of the caffeine content of other foods you eat.
4. Because coffee dehydrates, after each cup of drink you need to drink 3 glasses of mineral water to normalize your water balance.

Recommendations for use of the product during pregnancy

In the table below we describe how to drink coffee correctly for a woman during pregnancy, taking into account the gestation period:

Pregnant women can drink coffee with milk - this type of drink is preferred, since milk (cream) reduces the concentration of caffeine in the mug.

Types of coffee

Since stores offer a wide range of coffee, you should figure out which variety is best to drink during pregnancy. Experts advise drinking only natural coffee beans because there are no additives in it.

Below we will look at the main types of coffee to understand what you can and cannot drink.

Natural coffe

Coffee beans or ground coffee are available for sale, with varying degrees of grinding, as a mixture or a specific variety. You can choose the one you like the most. At the same time, take into account the fact that the strength of the drink is affected by the degree of roasting of the beans.

Prolonged roasting increases the volume of alkaloids. For this reason, you should buy lightly roasted coffee. You should also take into account the fact that the smaller the grind, the richer the taste of the drink.

All coffee has several types: Robusta and Arabica. Robusta contains a lot of caffeine and does not taste good. Arabica has a lower strength, but has a delicate taste and aroma.

Decaffeinated coffee

You can find coffee on sale labeled “decaffeinated,” but this is pure deception. Although the beans are processed to reduce caffeine levels, it cannot be completely removed.

In addition, most experts agree that such a product poses a danger to humans, since various solvents are used to eliminate caffeine. Based on research, if you drink coffee that has undergone decaffeination, this leads to the formation of atherosclerosis.

This product has poor taste, it is bland and odorless. For this reason, it is better not to use such a product, but to pay attention to natural varieties that contain a little caffeine.

Instant coffee

Some people believe that instant coffee is a harmless drink because it contains some caffeine. This is completely false, since this type of coffee is made from sorted Robusta beans. In this case, the concentration of caffeine may exceed that of regular brewed coffee.

Also, the disadvantages of this type of product include its unclear composition. According to experts, this type of coffee contains no more than 25% coffee extract, the rest is a chemical additive. Such a product cannot exactly be called natural.

The same applies to everyone’s favorite “3 in 1” drinks, which contain flavoring additives, preservatives and vegetable fats.

If there are contraindications to drinking coffee, you can replace it with an analogue

How to choose decaf coffee

You shouldn’t consider the first decaf you come across to be healthier than regular coffee. And you definitely shouldn’t drink instant, sold on the shelf of a regular store, it will cause even more harm. It is better to buy ground or beans in specialized coffee stores, or order online. If you are going to take care of your health during pregnancy and lactation, you should do so responsibly. And here are just a few recommendations:

• Arabica by default has less caffeine than robusta, approximately 1.2% compared to 2.5%. And the less caffeine there was initially in the grain, the shorter the processing process, which means more useful substances are retained.
• Roasting green beans that have already been decaffeinated is more difficult and requires special roasters. They are expensive and only big brands can afford them. Buy coffee from well-known world producers (beans or ground) to protect yourself from counterfeits and be guaranteed to get a quality drink.
• The longer the roasting process takes place, the less caffeine remains. Choose dark roast beans.

Good decaffeinated beans are supplied by Montana Coffee (Ethiopia and Colombia), ground can be found in the brands Lavazza, Green Mountain, Cafe Altura. It is clear that the smell and taste may be slightly different from the usual coffee of the same brands, but these are trusted manufacturers, and in reasonable quantities the drink will not harm.

What to replace

If for some reason you are forbidden to drink coffee, but treat yourself to something aromatic and invigorating, then you should pay attention to plant-based coffee drinks. They can be manufactured in the form of crushed raw materials or soluble powder.

“Kurzeme”

The product contains crushed and fried chicory, as well as oats, rye and barley. This product is often used in maternity hospitals and perinatal centers as a general tonic that protects the cardiovascular system, improves appetite and kidney function.

The drink goes well with milk, juice, hot chocolate and cocoa.

Barley drink

This product does not contain caffeine, but it is rich in vitamins and minerals. Yes, its taste is not similar to coffee, but it is quite pleasant, as is the aroma. There are no contraindications for its use.

Barley drink is prepared according to the same principles as coffee. It can be without impurities or combined (with berry powder, chicory, rose hips and medicinal herbs).

Chicory

The simplest, but not the worst, coffee substitute is chicory root. Once prepared, this drink has properties similar to coffee. Chicory is allowed during pregnancy and also has the following beneficial properties:

• normalizes the amount of sugar in the blood;
• increases hemoglobin and appetite;
• has a diuretic effect;
• has a sedative effect;
• has a cleansing effect.

You can drink no more than 4 cups of drink per day. The product should be prepared according to the instructions indicated on the packaging. As a rule, it comes in powder form, which should be mixed with sugar and poured with boiling water. If desired, you can add milk, cream or condensed milk to the drink.

It is forbidden to take chicory for varicose veins and gastric pathologies.

What coffee should you not drink at any time?

When discussing the topic of drinking coffee during pregnancy, “knowledgeable” women often hear advice to replace natural ground coffee with instant coffee. Among the arguments in favor of this type of drink, its adherents often cite the low content of coffee itself, forgetting that this also indicates the low quality of the product. Pregnant women should hardly drink instant coffee, since its low caffeine content is compensated by the presence of preservatives and other synthetic substances. They can disrupt the functioning of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and cause gastric disorders. 3 in 1 coffee is not recommended during pregnancy. In fact, it has nothing to do with a natural, high-quality drink made from whole grains, but is just a soluble modification of the drink. Its flavorings can create additional problems for pregnant women, who are already often tormented by toxicosis.

Contraindications

It is forbidden to drink coffee if you have the following pathologies:

• gestosis;
• hypertension;
• lack of appetite;
• insomnia;
• tachycardia;
• diseases of the digestive organs;
• anemia;
• toxicosis;
• fetoplacental insufficiency.

In all other cases, consultation with a doctor is required. Remember, if you have the listed diseases, even weak coffee can cause a severe deterioration in your health.

Is there a categorical ban on coffee for pregnant women?

As in any rational approach to an important issue, it is important to maintain a middle ground when drinking coffee during pregnancy. The opinions of scientists and doctors are not clear, and adherents of each point of view put forward their arguments in favor of the benefits of drinking the drink and arguments against drinking coffee during pregnancy. When choosing a strategy in this matter, those who for many years could not wake up without coffee should determine for themselves that no sudden body movements should be made - you just need to stop drinking it like water, and a small cup will definitely not have tragic consequences.

And, of course, it is worth consulting with a doctor who is caring for a woman carrying a baby. When deciding whether to drink coffee during pregnancy at all, and if so, in what quantities, it is worth further analyzing the arguments of supporters and opponents, and then making your choice.

Reviews

Below are reviews from experts and women who drank coffee during gestation.

Mark, gynecologist

Coffee is an excellent invigorating drink that has some restrictions on its use. I would not recommend that expectant mothers drink it, especially in the first and third trimester, as this is fraught with various complications. Yes, it can be used with low blood pressure, but this should not be done often.

Irina, therapist

Recently I saw a pregnant woman who was abusing coffee in the second trimester. All this led to sleep problems and high blood pressure. Expectant mothers should be aware that drinking this drink during pregnancy is undesirable.

Serafima, 22 years old

I drank coffee in the 1st trimester, after which I had a miscarriage. I don’t know if this is related to the drink or other reasons, but now I don’t drink it anymore.

Yulianna, 31 years old

I love latte coffee very much, I can’t deny myself it. I drank it even in late pregnancy, 4 cups a day. The baby was born strong.

Remember, if you follow the recommended dosage, coffee will not harm you. If you exceed it, it will negatively affect your health and the fetus.

Arguments in favor of drinking the drink

Experts who believe that you can drink coffee during pregnancy, as arguments in favor of their point of view, give the following arguments about the properties of the drink, for which women give it priority over all others, noting that coffee:

• improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• gives a boost of energy and lifts your spirits;
• contains minerals and vitamins;
• acts as an antioxidant.

In addition, one should not discount the moral aspect - women cannot deprive themselves of pleasure, which they can no longer do without, and negative emotions are not needed during pregnancy. The drink also increases blood pressure, which is only useful for women who suffer from hypotension - for them, drinking coffee during pregnancy is definitely not contraindicated in reasonable doses.

Negative effects of the drink

The initial question is: can drinking coffee drinks during pregnancy be harmful? There are no strict prohibitions on this matter. If a woman is used to starting her day with a cup of aromatic cappuccino, she should not change her ingrained habit.

But the number of cups you drink will have to be reduced. To avoid negative consequences for the fetus, the daily intake should not exceed two servings per day.

There are several risk factors for drinking coffee during pregnancy:

1. Tonic effect. Drinks containing coffee have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, which can significantly impair the quality and duration of sleep.
2. Calcium leaching. Calcium is very important for the development of the fetus and this feature of coffee negatively affects its development.
3. Increased blood pressure. This factor is especially dangerous for hypertensive patients.
4. Negative effect on the secretory functions of the stomach. Digestion of food slows down, which can cause discomfort and heartburn.
5. Diuretic effect. This factor increases the load on the kidneys.

It is also worth remembering that for gastritis and gastric ulcers, caffeine is strictly contraindicated. Especially pregnant women during toxicosis.

Excessive coffee consumption in the first trimester can lead to abnormal heart rhythms in the fetus. During this period, it is worthwhile, if not completely giving up coffee, then minimizing its consumption as much as possible.