Is It Harmful To Drink Coffee During Pregnancy? The scientists’ opinions are divided

After the publication of a study on the harmfulness of drinking coffee by both pregnant women and those trying to conceive, by Professor James from the University of Reykjavik, a heated discussion arose. Several doctors spoke and said that his conclusions did not have sufficient scientific basis. So, is drinking two cups of not very strong coffee already risky?

1. Professor James from the University of Reykjavik advises pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy to stop coffee completely
2. Professor Andrew Shennan of London’s Kings College believes that a daily dose of 200 mg of caffeine is safe for them
3. Gynecologist Dr. Marcin Mika in an interview with Medonet explains when you should absolutely give up coffee during pregnancy

New research on drinking coffee while pregnant

According to the research of prof. James, who is a psychologist, published in the scientific journal “BMJ Evidence Based Medicine”, coffee and other caffeinated beverages should be avoided by both women who are already pregnant and those who plan to get pregnant.

Prof. Jack James analyzed 1261 available scientific papers on caffeine consumption and its relationship to pregnancy, and concluded that 200 mg of caffeine a day is too much. And this is the equivalent of two cups of not very strong coffee.

According to him, even a small consumption of caffeine reduced the chances of getting pregnant, and then its proper course. The literature indicated that it increased the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, and even leukemia in the child in later years.

– Taking into account the evidence – says prof. James – I would advise pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy to stop coffee completely.

Drinking Coffee When Pregnant – What Problems Can It Cause?

First, the little black dress carries the risk of miscarriage. Researchers from the USA suggested that the presence of caffeine in the mother’s body caused changes in the metabolism of the unborn child. Already at 200 mg per day, a visible increase in blood flow in the placenta was observed.

In contrast, Dutch scientists have noticed that twice the dose makes it difficult to get pregnant. However, this concerned women who had previous problems with getting pregnant and decided to undergo in vitro fertilization.

– Frequent drinking of strong black coffee, especially on an empty stomach, may reduce the absorption of iron or calcium – says Marcin Mika, MD, a gynecologist from the Superior Medical Center in Krakow, in an interview with Medonet. – This, in turn, may translate into disorders related to the deficiency of these minerals, which may result in more frequent contractions. Personally, I have not encountered a situation where the consumption of coffee by a patient caused, for example, premature birth.

— However, it is worth remembering that in some situations pregnant women should not drink coffee – adds Dr. Mika. – In patients hospitalized due to imminent miscarriage or premature delivery, all factors that could contribute to the deterioration of their condition, including coffee, are eliminated.

Pregnant coffee? Let’s not go to extremes, there is no risk

According to the representatives of the British National Health Service (NHS), consumption of up to 200 mg of caffeine a day does not pose a risk of miscarriage or inhibition of the child’s growth in the womb.

James himself admits that his work is of an analytical nature, so it does not conclusively determine whether caffeine is harmful in pregnancy. However, it suggests that eliminating tea and coffee entirely from the diet would have a positive effect on the health of mothers-to-be.

In turn, the European Food Safety Authority and American and British gynecologists and obstetricians’ organizations recommend limiting, but not complete elimination of caffeine during pregnancy.

“Professor James’s work is too alarmist,” says Dr. Luke Grzeskowiak, a pharmacist at the University of Adelaide in Australia. – There are so many dos and don’ts related to pregnancy that we really don’t need additional ones. Women should rest assured that they can consume caffeine in moderation during pregnancy.

Professor Andrew Shennan, lecturer in obstetrics at Kings College, London, also took the floor: – Some studies may be wrong because women do not always remember how many cups of coffee they had drunk. It is also difficult to exclude other risk factors, such as smoking.

– Caffeine has been in our diet for a long time – notes prof. Shennan – Like many other substances, a high coffee consumption during pregnancy can cause problems. However, the analysis of prof. James does not indicate with certainty that also low doses of caffeine are harmful.

— Patients often ask about the potential harmfulness of drinking coffee during pregnancy – says Marcin Mika, MD, PhD. – From a medical point of view, there are no contraindications for pregnant women to consume caffeine. Coffee with milk drunk in reasonable amounts, e.g. 1 – 2 cups a day, does not adversely affect the mother and baby. Based on my professional experience, I can say that in order for coffee to harm a pregnant woman, she would have to be really addicted to caffeine and consume it in very large amounts. As long as the patient does not have medical indications for a special diet or hospitalization due to disorders related to the pregnancy itself and the risk of premature birth, she can safely drink coffee.

However, if the expectant mother wants to reduce caffeine, she has several alternatives to choose from.

First, there is a caffeine consumption calculator available on the internet to help women figure out the right amount of coffee or tea they drink every day. Remember that caffeine is also found in chocolate and some snacks. Large amounts of it can also be found in energy drinks. On the other hand, coffee is available in a decaffeinated or low-irritating version that is gentler on the stomach.

It is better to avoid coffees and coffee drinks brewed in cafes and shops, as they may contain more caffeine per serving than the safe 200 mg.

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