Caffeine During Pregnancy: How Much is Safe?

Consuming caffeine during pregnancy has often been debated by medical professionals concerning the risks it imposes on the developing fetus.

Caffeine is a drug and it does have real physiological effects on those that consume it and these effects are passed on to the unborn child through the placenta.

However, the question that exists is to what extent does caffeine consumed during pregnancy become harmful?

There are several hypotheses related to the possible dangers caffeine may have on the fetus. Let’s take a look at those and the research that either supports the danger or refutes it.

Caffeine During Pregnancy Causes Miscarriage

Many OBGYNs tell mothers to abstain from all caffeine during pregnancy because it increases their risk of miscarriage.

There are several studies that have shown evidence for increased risk of miscarriage or early stillbirth delivery among pregnant women who consumed more than moderate amounts of caffeine.

• A 2002 study showed that women who drank 8 or more coffees (>800mg) were at greater risk for early stillbirth. src.
• Another study showed that expectant mothers consuming 600mg of caffeine or more had a greater risk of miscarriage. src.
• A California study showed that pregnant women consuming greater than 300mg of caffeine daily had a greater risk of miscarriage during the first trimester. src.
• A 2008 study showed that those consuming 200mg of caffeine or more daily doubled their risk of miscarriage. src.
• A 2016 study showed that both women and men who consume at least at least two caffeinated beverages daily in the weeks prior to conception are at greater risk for potential miscarriage. src.

Caffeine Restricts the Growth of the Fetus

There is also a belief that caffeine stunts the growth of children and unborn babies. While there isn’t evidence that it stunts the growth of children, there are some studies that support this notion for developing fetuses.

• A 2008 study showed that pregnant women who consumed 100 mg or more of caffeine had increased risk of fetal growth restriction. src.
• 2013 research showed that women who consumed caffeine had increased risk of delivering babies with lower birth weight. src.

Caffeine During Pregnancy Produces Hyperactive Children

Some doctors may tell expectant mothers that caffeine during pregnancy leads to ADHD or hyperactivity disorder. However, the research conducted with this hypothesis doesn’t support this belief. Children that were exposed to caffeine in the womb were at no greater risk of developing ADHD or hyperactivity than children who weren’t. src.

Caffeine Causes Early Delivery

Some people believe that mothers who drink caffeine while pregnant will increase their chances of having a preterm delivery.

• A 2012 Norwegian study showed no link between caffeine consumption and early preterm birth. src.
• A 2010 American Society for Nutrition analysis of published research found no evidence that caffeine consumption leads to preterm delivery. src.

Coffee Linked to Childhood Leukemia

A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed evidence of increased risk of childhood leukemia in infants whose mothers drank more than 2 cups of coffee a day.

They found that pregnant women who drank…

1. Some coffee resulted in a 20% increased risk for their child.
2. More than 2 cups of coffee (about 300mg of caffeine) resulted in a 60% increased risk for their child.
3. 4 or more cups (about 600mg of caffeine) resulted in a 72% increased risk of leukemia.

It is believed that caffeine alters the fetal DNA making the baby more prone to developing leukemia.

Caffeine, Pregnancy, and Childhood Obesity

A recent study linked caffeine consumption by pregnant mothers with an increased risk of childhood obesity.

The 15-year long research study published in The International Journal of Obesity found that children born to mothers who did not give up their caffeine consumption during pregnancy were 89% more likely to become obese compared with children who were not exposed to caffeine in-utero.

The results were also dose-dependent, in that the more caffeine the expectant mother consumed the greater the risk of her child becoming obese.

The researchers believe this occurs because…

Brain functions have increasingly been shown to have an important role in regulating appetite and other metabolic processes. Caffeine, a neural stimulant, can alter fetal brain development impacting normal neural transmission vital to normal brain function, thus metabolic processes.

Another study conducted in Norway also found that pregnant women who consumed caffeine amounts greater than 50 mg per day had an association with a higher risk of having a child with excess growth and obesity during the first 8 years of their child’s life. This study is published in the British Medical Journal.

How Much Caffeine While Pregnant is Safe?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that 200mg or less a day is probably safe for the developing fetus and The World Health Organization recommends that expectant mothers consume no more than 300mg per day.

The European Food Safety Authority recently released their research regarding caffeine safety. They concluded that there isn’t enough evidence that 200 mg of caffeine or less poses any risk to the unborn child.

Also, recent research from Nationwide Children’s Hospital also found that there was no evidence that moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy had any negative implications for the baby’s long-term cognitive and behavioral development. In the study, they analyzed the caffeine levels of blood samples taken from pregnant mothers between 1959 and 1974 and then compared the data to the children’s IQ and behavioral records.

While most of the research above does point to increased risks associated with caffeine greater than 200-300mg, there are some studies that show some risk with even lower daily amounts of caffeine.

When it comes to women consuming caffeine while pregnant, it may be wise to err on the side of caution and abstain from most or all caffeine. However, the occasional serving of dark chocolate, ice tea, or even coffee likely poses no significant risk to the health of the unborn child.

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