Is it possible to drink coffee during pregnancy? - the question is controversial. For a long time, a product prohibited by domestic obstetricians was approved for use by pregnant women by European gynecological specialists.
Helping to cope with unpleasant vegetative-vascular symptoms, to cheer up and simply lift the mood, the coffee drink in recent years, under the influence of a large number of studies, has been allowed in limited quantities to expectant mothers in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, provided they are in good health and the quality of the coffee.
The effect of coffee on the body of a pregnant woman
Coffee in small quantities can be consumed by a healthy woman throughout pregnancy. In the first trimester, the drink becomes the only fairly safe and effective way to cope with the negative symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia and surges in physical blood pressure indicators.
When consumed in moderation, the drink helps replenish the body's need for riboflavin, phosphorus and vitamin D, as well as amino acids, potassium, sodium and nicotinic acid.
The high content of alkaloids in the drink provides a quick burst of energy and also activates metabolism, helping to effectively remove excess fluid accumulated in the body from the body.
The undoubted benefits of coffee drinks are that they:
- improve mood and provide a surge of energy;
- promote concentration and increase performance;
- stimulate intestinal motility;
- fight the negative symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- prevent the appearance of cancer, heart and vascular diseases.
In addition to various microelements, coffee beans also contain caffeine, the amount of which is determined by the strength of the drink and can negatively affect the condition of a young mother and her baby, causing increased excitability or insomnia.
The composition of coffee and its effect on the body
One cup of strong drink coffee beans contains more than a thousand substances. And it also invigorates! And also – it’s delicious! A little less than half of these substances come from aroma - the main feature of the drink.
Alkaloids are in second place in terms of the number of substances. To put it in plain language, these are the substances that are responsible for the tonic properties. The energy after each serving of lungo, espresso or Americano is like a miracle! But there is no miracle, there is only the chemical composition of the ground grains.
Caffeine took the lead. Its amount in each type of coffee is presented differently; in general, one spoon of ground coffee contains 0.2 grams.
It also contains vitamins, mineral salts and carbohydrates. At this stage, the contents of the coffee bean have not been fully studied and many elements have not yet been discovered.
Just 100 grams of good ground coffee contains about 50% of the daily requirement of vitamin B2, vitamin D, phosphorus, and iron. It’s hard to believe, but it also contains 130% of the daily requirement for vitamin PP, and 20% of amino acids, carbohydrates, calcium and sodium.
Such a diverse composition gives coffee both beneficial qualities that are dangerous to health. Exactly how coffee will affect you mainly depends on the individual qualities of the body, and the amount consumed is also important.
Benefits of coffee
Let’s briefly “go through” the beneficial qualities of coffee; 3 servings a day will give you:
- in a good mood;
- full of strength;
- concentrated and efficient;
- coffee improves metabolism;
- it eliminates the appearance of caries;
- stabilizes the condition of VSD and low blood pressure;
- coffee has an antioxidant effect;
- reduces the risk of developing cancer and problems with the heart and blood vessels.
But everything should be in moderation - drinking the drink too often can worsen migraines, it dehydrates the body and washes out potassium, and can cause urolithiasis and hypertension.
Benefits and harms
If expectant mothers who suffer from headaches feel well and have no problems with pregnancy, experts recommend drinking 1 cup of weak, freshly brewed coffee after breakfast.
In addition to the invigorating effect, the caffeine-containing drink will also help effectively prevent the appearance of edema and remove fluid from the body, which is especially important when protein appears in the urine of a pregnant woman, indicating the onset of gestosis.
In addition to its beneficial qualities, regular consumption of coffee in large quantities can provoke:
- removal of calcium and phosphorus reserves from the body, leading to bone tissue damage in the child;
- the birth of a baby with very low weight;
- narrowing of the vascular wall of the placenta, leading to oxygen starvation of the embryo;
- increased baby's heart rate;
- the appearance of aggressiveness and nervousness in a young mother, accompanied by insomnia;
- spontaneous termination of pregnancy if a woman suffers from hypertonicity of the uterine cavity.
Coffee during pregnancy can bring both benefits and harm.
Not all pregnant women experience a craving for coffee. Girls who are completely indifferent to the drink before conception do not notice changes in their condition. In some cases, intolerance to the coffee smell was even noticed, which accompanied the development of toxicosis.
Among “coffee lovers,” one can often observe problems with conception caused by high levels of caffeine in the blood. That is why gynecologists advise women who want to become pregnant to temporarily completely exclude this product from their diet.
Danger is also caused by cases when a woman, accustomed to drinking large quantities of coffee, while expecting a baby, experiences an irresistible craving for the drink, comparable to drug addiction.
Since, when caffeine enters the bloodstream, it quite quickly provokes the production of dopamine, the joy hormone responsible for the appearance of energy and activity, which is why a coffee-dependent person literally becomes a “slave” of new portions of the drink, requiring him to consume it at least once every 4-6 hours.
This condition is fraught with increased heartbeat not only in the young mother, but also in her baby, and also provokes severe excitability, disruption of the blood circulation and oxygen starvation of the child.
Pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia should not drink coffee. Since this condition is often accompanied by a loss of strength and drowsiness, young mothers try to replenish energy reserves with the help of coffee beans, thereby severely narrowing the vascular cells of the placenta and provoking spontaneous death of the embryo.
Is it possible to drink coffee during pregnancy?
In Soviet medicine, coffee was considered a controversial product, completely prohibited for consumption during pregnancy along with alcohol. Over time, doctors' opinions have changed. Now experts advise women to significantly limit the consumption of their favorite drink, but not to give it up completely.
In the first trimester
Coffee during pregnancy (the 1st trimester is the most important for the further development of the baby) is considered a rather risky drink that can provoke negative consequences for both the young mother and the rapidly developing fetus.
Since all the vital organs and systems of the baby develop for the first 3 months after conception, gynecologists advise young mothers to limit their coffee consumption to 1 cup, drunk every 2-3 days.
It is also recommended to avoid drinking coffee beans until the 2nd trimester if the young mother:
- suffers from hypertension;
- characterized by poor condition of blood vessels or their obstruction;
- rarely eats cottage cheese, sour cream and other dairy and fermented milk products;
- suffers from brittle teeth;
- often experienced headaches and migraines before pregnancy;
- has a history of gastritis, ulcers, problems with the stomach and pancreas;
- takes diuretics as prescribed by a doctor.
It is also forbidden to drink coffee during exacerbation of toxicosis.
In addition to reducing the amount of coffee, you are allowed to drink it only in the morning and after meals. It’s also a good idea to add additional milk or cream to the cup, which can replenish calcium reserves in a woman’s body.
For young mothers with low blood pressure, drinking coffee drinks during pregnancy is not only possible, but even beneficial , since this is the way they will be able to cope with unpleasant vegetative symptoms.
Such women, suffering from chronic fatigue, are able to cheer up and get in shape with a small amount of caffeine.
Second trimester
Coffee during pregnancy (trimester 2 allows a woman to make significant concessions in behavior and diet) is allowed in small quantities. It is believed that by this moment the main systems and organs of the child are fully formed, and the mother herself enters the safest period of gestation.
Doctors agree that in the absence of any contraindications in the 2nd trimester of gestation, the expectant mother can allow herself to consume 1 cup of brewed ground coffee beans per day, strictly after breakfast. Additionally, it is recommended to add milk or cream to this drink.
Despite the statements of experts that drinking coffee between 4-6 months of pregnancy is allowed, a woman should still not get carried away with her favorite drinks, due to the danger:
- completely remove from the body the microelements necessary for the formation of healthy bone and dental tissue for both mother and baby;
- provoke the development of fetal hypoxia caused by vasoconstriction and insufficient oxygen supply.
Third semester
Coffee during pregnancy (trimester 3 is considered the most dangerous for consuming caffeine-containing drinks) is completely prohibited in the last 3 months of gestation.
The danger of the stimulating effect of caffeine during this period lies in the overly violent reaction of the fetal neurosystem structures to it, provoking a narrowing of blood vessels and oxygen starvation of the child.
The diuretic property of coffee can also become dangerous, which can help in the fight against edema in the 2nd trimester, and in the period from the 7th to the 9th month provoke the development of dehydration, leading to severe dehydration and the appearance of convulsions in the child.
Why is coffee dangerous for pregnant women?
To independently conclude whether you can drink coffee during pregnancy, you should pay attention to scientifically proven side effects that appear in the fetus at different stages. Interestingly, natural coffee has a stronger effect than instant coffee.
First trimester The most important period when the internal organs and systems of the fetus are formed is the first trimester of pregnancy. Right now it is important to follow the diet prescribed by the doctor and give up all foods that can have a detrimental effect on the development of the child. Including, refrain from coffee in the early stages of pregnancy, even decaffeinated or natural and with milk.
Caffeine is harmful due to its ability to penetrate the barrier in the form of the placenta and, accordingly, affect the fetus. Just like in an adult, an unformed child’s blood pressure rises, the heartbeat quickens, and all organs experience enormous strain. This is the main reason why pregnant women should not drink coffee in the first months.
Second trimester The problem of frequent urination is common among pregnant coffee drinkers during this period. The fetus is growing rapidly, and as a result, the uterus puts pressure on the bladder. The situation is aggravated by recently drunk coffee, which in itself provokes frequent urges. The whole complex creates a real problem, because of which you will have to seriously plan your route in order to find a toilet when necessary.
No less significant is the psycho-emotional state of the expectant mother. Caffeine will cause constant nervousness and excessive excitability, which is already inherent in pregnant women. Analyzing the side effects and upcoming inconveniences, coffee during pregnancy is gradually becoming a less desirable drink.
Third trimester Much to the chagrin of coffee lovers, caffeine consumption in the last three months is also harmful. Numerous studies have proven the harmful effects of coffee during pregnancy on unborn babies. The following pathologies are quite common:
- calcium deficiency, as a result, weak skeletal system;
- chronic tachycardia;
- disruption of the nervous system - nervousness, excitability;
- sleep problems.
These deviations are most likely with regular consumption of large doses of caffeine. If you significantly reduce its value, add milk or cream to your coffee, and drink only when you really can’t bear it, the likelihood of complications is minimized. However, this still does not give a clear answer as to whether pregnant women can drink coffee. Due to the individual characteristics of the expectant mother’s body, the consequences can be unpredictable.
But it is definitely not recommended to drink coffee during pregnancy, accompanied by toxicosis, cramps or headaches.
What type of coffee is best to choose during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, experts strongly recommend that expectant mothers drink only natural bean coffee that does not contain any harmful additives. When choosing a drink for yourself, you should also familiarize yourself with the general characteristics of the products presented in stores:
Natural coffe
Whole and ground Arabica beans of varying degrees of roasting are available for sale. It is this indicator that influences the strength of the finished coffee drink.
Since the duration of roasting increases the volume of alkaloids that can have a negative impact on the condition of the unborn baby, expectant mothers are advised to opt for lightly roasted coarsely ground coffee beans, which have a low strength and rich taste.
Natural coffee also differs by variety:
- Robusta contains a large amount of caffeine and alkaloids, but it does not have a rich taste.
- Arabica, which is considered less strong but has a rich aroma, contains a smaller amount of alkaloids, which makes it acceptable for inclusion in the diet of young mothers.
Decaffeinated coffee
Commercially available decaffeinated coffee is not only practically tasteless, but is also saturated with dangerous microelements that are used to reduce the alkaloid content in it.
In fact, decaffeinated beans are simply a poorly roasted product that contains a low percentage of alkaloids, but is saturated with a large number of various solvents that can have a negative impact on the health of both the mother and her unborn baby.
Instant coffee and 3 in 1
Coffee products containing no more than 25% of natural beans are considered undesirable for use during pregnancy due to the large number of synthetic additives present in their composition.
Regular instant coffee is made from robusta beans rich in alkaloids, and the caffeine content in it can be several times higher than the concentration of natural, ground Arabica.
As for the 3 in 1 coffee drink, in addition to ground robusta, it also contains milk powder and a large amount of sugar, as well as preservatives, dyes and vegetable fats that can negatively affect the developing fetus.
Green coffee
Raw, unroasted coffee beans, freed from husks through specific processing, contain a small amount of caffeine and do not have any contraindications for inclusion in the diet of pregnant women.
Studies conducted by experts have found that the product does not have a positive effect on the body of the expectant mother, and also contains caffeine, as a result of which gynecologists recommend limiting the consumption of green coffee during pregnancy to 1 cup, drunk in the morning strictly after meals, and also refrain from using the product:
- with glaucoma due to the risk of increased intraocular pressure;
- for intestinal problems that can worsen due to the laxative effect of the product;
- with increased nervous excitability and sleep problems.
Weak coffee
A weakly brewed coffee drink is allowed to be consumed in the first and second trimester of pregnancy in the amount of 1 cup, drunk after breakfast. This product helps lift your mood and cope with drowsiness, and also effectively fights swelling, but contains a small amount of caffeine.
With milk
Drinking coffee with milk during pregnancy is allowed for 1-2 semesters. Moreover, doctors strongly advise expectant mothers to add milk or cream to their favorite drink, which helps restore calcium and fluoride reserves in the body that are washed out due to the diuretic effect of caffeine. You can drink coffee with milk no more than once a day after breakfast.
How can pregnant women drink coffee?
To get the most out of a cup of coffee, follow some rules:
- Drink coffee after meals; if you drink it on an empty stomach, you will feel heartburn and may feel nauseous, as caffeine irritates the stomach tissue.
- Choose coffee with milk or cream, they will reduce the strength of the coffee and replenish calcium reserves. (Here is the answer to the question: can pregnant women have cappuccino?)
- Coffee is highly dehydrating, so be sure to stay hydrated.
- Remember that caffeine is not only found in coffee, so consider the amount.
The safety of the fetus after the mother drinks coffee depends on the concentration of caffeine. And not just coffee.
Natural coffee contains the most caffeine from ground coffee beans: 176 mg per 240 ml cup. Instant coffee 76-106 mg per same cup, decaffeinated coffee 3-5 mg per cup. Black tea – 50 mg, green tea – 30 mg of caffeine. It is also found in cola, sachet hot chocolate, milk chocolate and chocolate baked goods.
Can I drink cappuccino, americano or latte?
Women are allowed to drink cappuccino, macchiato and latte during pregnancy. Experts advise purchasing such drinks only in those coffee shops where you can choose your own coffee beans, asking that they use Arabica beans with a lower caffeine content.
You should also choose a drink without syrup and other additives, since such drinks are high in calories and can negatively affect the baby’s health.
Drinking cappuccino, latte and macchiato is allowed no more than 2-3 cups a day and only after meals. Otherwise, drinking the drink can cause heartburn in a pregnant woman. When making your own products, you should use a coffee machine that filters out coffee particles that irritate the gastrointestinal tract of the expectant mother.
It should also be remembered that drinking coffee drinks:
- increases urination, which is already quite intense during pregnancy;
- may cause sleep problems due to the high sensitivity of the expectant mother’s body;
- contains phenols that reduce iron absorption and can cause the development of iron deficiency anemia;
- As pregnancy progresses, the concentration of caffeine in the body increases, which can cause the development of fetal gestosis.
Coffee in late pregnancy
From experienced doctors you can hear a sensible explanation of why pregnant women should not drink coffee:
- It stimulates urination, which can cause dehydration. The third trimester is already marked by frequent trips to the toilet, and overloading a pregnant woman’s kidneys is of no use.
- Coffee in late pregnancy causes calcium leaching, and this has a detrimental effect on the development of the fetal skeleton.
- More than 2 servings of aromatic drink per day can disrupt the brain activity and heart rate of a small person.
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What can be replaced
Domestic experts strongly recommend replacing coffee during pregnancy (the 1st and 2nd trimesters are considered relatively safe for caffeine consumption) with more analogues that help “deceive the body” and not harm the baby’s health.
Among the popular and safe substitutes for coffee drink are:
| Kurzeme | A mixture of ground and roasted chicory with rye, oats or wheat. Quite often, this drink is used in perinatal centers to increase the body’s defenses, as well as improve the functioning of the kidneys and cardiovascular system. Having a tart taste and pleasant aroma, Kurzeme goes well with milk, chocolate and juice |
| Barley drink | It is completely different in taste from coffee, but has a pleasant aroma and taste, and also does not contain caffeine, which is dangerous to the health of the unborn baby. A drink is prepared from roasted barley grains, similar to Arabica, and mixed with hot water or milk. |
| Chicory | The simplest and most popular coffee substitute, which has a taste and aroma similar to Arabica. In addition to its excellent tonic and strengthening effect, this drink can reduce sugar levels and increase the hemoglobin of a pregnant woman, as well as have a sedative effect. Every day, the expectant mother is allowed to drink up to 4 cups of chicory mixed with milk and sugar. |
| Black and green tea | Contains a small amount of caffeine and also helps provide the body with the antioxidants it needs. |
| Cocoa with milk | A product that is useful during pregnancy and has a pleasant chocolate taste and aroma. This drink, which goes well with hot milk, not only invigorates, but also saturates the body with iron, calcium and folic acid, which are necessary for the full formation of the embryo. |
Coffee during pregnancy is a good way to cope with low blood pressure and negative vegetative-vascular symptoms that often bother women when carrying a baby.
For a long time considered an unacceptable product in obstetrics due to the large amount of caffeine that can provoke the development of oxygen starvation, the drink in recent years, under the influence of European scientists, was allowed into the diet of expectant mothers in the first and second trimesters in the absence of contraindications and good health of both the mother and her baby.
Which to choose
If doctors allow you to drink coffee during pregnancy, the question arises - which one to choose, because the range is varied. It is recommended to take the natural form of grains without unknown additives.
Black
The range is presented in beans or already crushed, with varying degrees of grinding. The strength is affected by the degree of roasting of the beans.
It is a misconception that instant coffee during pregnancy is less dangerous due to the lowest caffeine content. However, the concentration may be higher than that of the custard version. In addition, its unclear composition is harmful due to the presence of chemical additives.
With milk
You can reduce the effect of the drink by adding a dairy product. Milk contains elements necessary for the formation of the fetus.
The product reduces the effect on the nervous system, blood vessels, heart and irritation to the stomach. In addition, it promotes the full formation of bone tissue of the unborn baby. Therefore, it is better to choose the option with milk.
The downside is the increased calorie content of the resulting drink.
Cafein free
Among the products offered there is a product marked “caffeine-free”. However, it should be borne in mind that it is impossible to completely remove caffeine.
To eliminate it, various solvents are used, which can be harmful to health. The taste of the drink is bland and does not have a clear familiar aroma.
This drink is not recommended for pregnant women, but preference should be given to natural varieties.
