Who would not love a tasty rich blend? Considering coffee is among the world’s most loved beverages list, people consumed 166.63 million 60 kilogram bags of coffee, the latest data suggests. This being the case, pregnant women may wonder if they can still consume coffee during their pregnancy journey without harming the health of their baby. 

Let’s delve deeper to find out more on coffee consumption during pregnancy.

Can You Drink Caffeinated Coffee While Pregnant?

If you are pregnant and don’t want to give up on your coffee, first and foremost consult your doctor on your coffee intake. Since most coffee brands include caffeine, coffee consumption should be limited during pregnancy and it might sometimes be challenging to know how much caffeine a cup of coffee contains due to different brands and coffee types. Under normal circumstances, it is okay to have 1 or 2 cups of coffee and the caffeine intake should be limited to 200 milligrams a day (which is roughly equivalent to one 12-ounce cup of coffee).

It's important to note that caffeine is not just found in coffee but also in other sources such as tea, soda, chocolate, and some medications. Therefore, it's essential to monitor your total caffeine intake from all sources. Please mind that excessive caffeine intake during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and other complications. Moreover, caffeine can also cause sleep disturbances and may affect the baby's sleep patterns.

Is Decaf Coffee Safe During Pregnancy?

If you are pregnant, you are probably wondering if decaf coffee is ok for pregnancy. The short answer is yes but it should also be in moderate amounts. Decaf coffee pregnant women prefer is generally considered safe to consume during pregnancy. Decaffeinated coffee is made by removing most of the caffeine from regular coffee, typically by using water or a chemical solvent.

However, it's essential to keep in mind that decaf coffee may still contain some caffeine, although in much smaller amounts than regular coffee. Therefore, as it was mentioned earlier, it is best that pregnant women should also limit their intake of decaf coffee to no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day.

It's important to note that some decaf coffee brands may use chemical solvents like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate in the decaffeination process. Although the levels of these chemicals are typically low and are unlikely to cause harm, it's a good idea to look for brands that use a water-based decaffeination process to avoid any potential risks. 

Overall, if you're pregnant and choose to drink decaf coffee, it's recommended to consume it in moderation and to check with your healthcare provider to make sure it's safe for you based on your individual health status and circumstances. They will help you select the best coffee for pregnancy.