TRUTH OR TALE NO. 7

Posted on 31 January 2018

You’re not allowed any coffee when pregnant as it will harm your baby.

ANSWER: Tale

Numerous studies have proven that this is just a tale. Although caffeine does cross the placenta, it is harmless as long as one (355ml) cup or less is consumed.

While complete abstinence of coffee and caffeine isn’t necessary, there are a few important facts to consider.

Caffeine is a stimulant that increases heart rate and blood pressure. It does cross the placenta and, if drinking excessive amounts of coffee per day, it can have an effect on the foetus’s activity and its sleep cycle.

Also, while many vilify coffee, one should be vigilant of other sources of caffeine, like certain types of tea and caffeinated chocolate, etc.

If you’re unsure whether, or how much, caffeine is contained in product, it may be best to play it safe and steer clear of it.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1804190/

https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/caffeine-pregnancy/