Which hot drinks are safe during pregnancy?

[nicky98]

Hi I've recently discovered I'm pregnant and have been frantically reading up on what I can and can't eat and drink. I want to cut out caffeine completely but am wondering which hot drinks are safe. Is green tea ok? What about fruit teas? And which herbal teas are safe? Otherwise it'll have to be hot chocolate all the way . Thanks.

Caffeine Effects on baby

As with the majority of substances that are consumed by mum-to-be during pregnancy, caffeine crosses the placenta and is passed to the fetus where it elicits a similar 'alertness response'. A great deal of research has been carried out on the potential influence of caffeine on fetal development and although several extreme and controversial claims have been made, current assumptions are as follows;

• Caffeine has been found to increase fetal heartbeat and in utero movement. However, this is not thought to have any long term effect on infant development It may influence their sleep-wake cycle so that, like adults, they become more active at certain times than they would otherwise be.

• Moderate caffeine intake is not thought to affect the gestation period or birth weight of an otherwise healthy infant. However, excessive consumption has been linked to lower birth weight and premature birth, especially when in conjunction with other risk factors such as alcohol or cigarettes.

• Current research suggests that a moderate caffeine intake during pregnancy has little effect on the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. However, several studies have found an association between excessive consumption and an increased risk of these sad occurrences.

Current FSA (Food Standards Agency) guidelines recommend that a Mum-to-be should consume no more than 300mg of caffeine a day. Consumption below and up to this limit is classed as moderate and therefore relatively safe for mother and baby. Click here for more information on what 'moderate' caffeine consumption actually means and advice on how you can monitor your daily intake.

Generally, cutting back on your caffeine consumption during pregnancy is a good thing for your own health and the health of your child, although the odd cup of tea or coffee is unlikely to do you both any harm. If you are concerned that you are consuming too much caffeine you could try switching to decaffeinated versions of your favourite tea and coffee (check with your doctor before experimenting with herbal tea as not all are suitable for pregnancy). Additionally, flavoured water (check its sugar-free) can provide a good alternative to caffeinated fizzy drinks and help to keep you hydrated. Fortunatley, the caffeine content of chocolate is relatively low so you shouldn't need to deprive yourself!

Pigleychez they give you free stuff for being pregnant?? REALLY??? Is it just like in freshers week at university when you get Heinz beans and condoms, but healthier? I didn't eat the condoms, they don't agree with me

LOL

Green tea has caffeine in it which is why it is not recommended. I'm drinking 2 cups of normal caffeinated tea a day as I NEED it and I'm not going to obsess about what I eat & drink! All the information out there is so mind boggling it's best to stay stress-free and take things in moderation, whilst avoiding the well-documented things such as liver, unpasteurised cheese, raw eggs, shellfish etc. I'm sure a couple of teas or coffees a day cannot do any harm. Peppermint tea is great after meals esp if you get indigestion.

My baby's in protest against caffeine - every time I even touch tea or chocolate, I get cracking headaches! Plus, if I take the teeniest sip of booze, I want to puke! What a well-behaved child this one's going to be...

Green tea has caffeine in it, and also like madmouse says there would be no chocolate (hot or otherwise) for you if you wanted to cut out all caffeine. Read the nhs guidelines on what caffeine you can have by cup/weight of choc etc - even they say not to worry about it too much if you go over their recommended amounts.

Ovaltine is fab, go on to the web site the drink is actually brilliant for pregnant woman, i drank it in my last 2 pregnancy's and drinking it now.
The vit a in ovalatine is a good source, and is good for the babies eyes etc.

The bad source is from liver etc.

Have a look on the ovaltime web site.

sainsburys decaf tea tastes exactly the same as normal tea - and drink as much of it as you like

Someone mentioned camomile tea but there is some conflicting information about whether it's safe during pregnancy. I drink rooibos (redbush) tea and peppermint.

asda own defaf tea is nice.

decaf even

er...I think there's a chance she may have had the baby by now

Ha! I guess you're right! Still, I found the info here useful

oh dear, i'm getting a guilt trip now having read this...i am 32 weeks with DC2 and whilst i didn't drink any coffe in first trimester (due to sickness)in the last 8 weeks or so i've been back on it with a vengence. i'd say i average 1 starbucks cappucinno and 2 instant coffees most days..is that way too much? with it being 2nd baby i've been so much more laid back ignorant about what i do/don't eat.. i have even been eating salmon pate as am craving it and thought the pate risk was associated with liver content...uh-oh..presuming the listeria risk is a danger only if you get food poisoning?? reassurance please!

You should try to avoid all caffeine.

100ml is about the upper daily limit.

1 cup of coffee 95-150ml
1 cup green/white tea 45ml
I cup black tea 75 ml
Fizzy drinks 45-90ml

Hot chocolate contains caffeine.

Caffeine is a vasoconstrictore and will constrict foetal blood supply. It also crosses into the babys blood and they cant metabolise it v well.

Sorry.

it seems, like most pregnancy related advice, there is conflicting evidence. have just been doing my own research and found this:

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6296263.stm

never the less i'm going to keep an eye on my consumption from now on, not worth the worry!

almondfinger, can you post a link to your source on the 100mg a day thing please? I have only seen 200mg (Food Standards Agency), which was a reduction on the previous advised limit of 300mg?

Good point about green tea - I am always surprised by how many people think it doesn't have caffeine in!!

My midwife told me 3 - 4 cuos a day was ok. I have one cup of caffinated tea a day and then decaf the rest of the time. Also make sure I drink at least 2 litres of water a day.

Decaf tea and coffee are the way to go. I read somewhere that you should be careful of herbal teas - even the ones specially developed for pregnancy - as they may contain oddments that aren't suitable. Don't mean to be scarymongery but it's best to be careful.

I dont have a link, I've transcribed my college notes. Mentioned that 100/200ml of caffeine can lead to abortion. Didnt want to add that so just inserted the lower limit.
Particular lecturer (nutrition) was very emotive on no caffiene during pregnancy.