Can You Drink Coffee While Pregnant?

When it comes to drinking coffee while pregnant, caffeine lovers can rejoice — you can enjoy your caffeine fix! But it’s all about moderation.

No more knocking back black coffee for those morning meetings or sipping your Starbucks religiously. It’s not good to be buzzed on coffee during pregnancy — neither for you nor your growing babe.

Why? Well, that’s what we’re looking at here.

In this article: 📝

Can you drink coffee when pregnant?

It can feel like you’re giving up a lot of your favorite treats during pregnancy.

Alcohol? That’s a no. Seafood? Maybe not. Unpasteurized cheese? Mmm, nope.

But maybe the biggest challenge of all is coffee during pregnancy. Many mamas will hardly bat an eyelid. However, if you’re here, on this page, reading these words, it’s probably a bigger deal.

So, can you drink coffee while pregnant? And if you’re craving coffee during pregnancy, what do you drink? It’s not all bad, by the way.

You don’t have to stop drinking coffee while pregnant completely. However, most doctors recommend limiting caffeine to about 200mg (or milligrams) a day.

And can you drink coffee in early pregnancy? Yep, the same quantities of caffeine are safe even during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Is one coffee a day OK when pregnant?

So if you can drink coffee during pregnancy, how much coffee can you drink while pregnant? As doctors recommend keeping your caffeine intake at a maximum of 200mg, that works out at about 1-2 cups of coffee per day.

Although it depends on how strong your coffee is, how big one cup is (we see your 1-liter big-gulp cup), and whether the coffee is decaf or not.

Can you drink espresso while pregnant?

It depends ‒ espressos usually have a higher concentration of coffee, and therefore caffeine. So one standard espresso might have 100mg of caffeine, but if you make that a double, well, that’s your recommended maximum for caffeine for the day.

Can I drink iced coffee while pregnant?

If summer’s here, there might be just one thing you’re craving during your pregnancy. But can you drink iced coffee while pregnant?

Yes, you can, but you’ll need to limit how much you’re drinking. If you’re making your own iced coffee, be sure to check how much caffeine is in your at-home coffee.

And if you’re wondering ‘can I drink a frappe while pregnant?’, well, some coffee-shop frappes may have a higher amount of caffeine. Generally speaking, you can have one per day while pregnant, but it’s worth asking about the amount of caffeine.

Is mushroom coffee safe in pregnancy?

Mushroom coffee might be trending hard — but if you’re pregnant, it’s one to pause on.

While functional mushrooms like lion’s mane, chaga, and reishi are popping up in wellness drinks everywhere, the truth is, we just don’t know enough about how they affect pregnancy or fetal development. There haven’t been enough high-quality studies to say whether they’re safe (or not) during pregnancy — and when it comes to what you’re putting in your body while growing a human, that kind of uncertainty matters.

Even though mushroom coffee often contains less caffeine than a regular cup, it’s not just about the caffeine. Those added mushroom extracts act more like supplements — and most supplements come with a “talk to your doctor first” disclaimer for a reason.

So while it might be marketed as a healthier, more balanced alternative to regular coffee, mushroom coffee falls firmly into the “we don’t know enough yet” category. And until we do? It’s worth skipping while pregnant, just to be safe.

Is chicory coffee safe in pregnancy?

Short version: Not really. It’s probably best to skip it.

Chicory coffee — the caffeine-free, slightly nutty alternative made from roasted chicory root — sounds like a dreamy swap when you’re cutting back on caffeine. But here’s the issue: chicory root isn’t well-studied in pregnancy, and what we do know raises a few red flags.

Some research suggests that taking chicory in large amounts might stimulate menstruation and possibly trigger miscarriage. Not exactly the vibe when you're growing a baby. Chicory also has a mild laxative effect, could mess with blood sugar, and might cause allergic reactions (especially if you're sensitive to things like ragweed or daisies).

To be clear, a bit of chicory in food (like salad leaves or occasional seasoning) is considered fine. But as a regular drink — like your daily chicory latte or herbal coffee replacement? That could mean you're getting much more than a food-level amount, which we just don’t have enough data on.

So until we’ve got solid studies confirming it’s safe in pregnancy, it’s best to give chicory coffee a miss. Your usual decaf might be the safer option for now.

Is yerba mate safe in pregnancy?

Yerba mate is packed with antioxidants and a caffeine kick, but when it comes to pregnancy, the research is mixed. Occasional sips might be okay, but because it contains caffeine and some studies suggest a possible link to lower birth weight (even if not conclusive), it’s safest to keep yerba mate to a minimum or skip it altogether while you're expecting.

Can I drink Starbucks while pregnant?

Yes, you can drink Starbucks coffee during pregnancy, but it’s important to keep it in moderation. That means no more than 200mg of caffeine per day. Let’s break down the amount of caffeine in some of the more popular Starbucks orders among our mamas of Peanut, so you know how much you can safely drink.

🔍 Read More: Is the Starbucks Labor Drink Safe in Pregnancy? 🤰

Can I drink Starbucks green tea latte while pregnant?

Is matcha latte safe during pregnancy? We have good news — you certainly can drink a matcha latte while pregnant.

Matcha has less caffeine than coffee — a Starbucks Grande Matcha Green Tea Latte contains about 66mg of caffeine, so you can safely drink 3 cups per day while pregnant.

Can I drink a Starbucks chai tea latte while pregnant?

Yes, you can drink a chai latte during pregnancy, but you’ll have to limit it to 2 cups per day, as a Grande Starbucks Chai Tea Latte contains 95mg of caffeine.

Can I drink a pumpkin spice latte while pregnant?

Yes, you can drink a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte while pregnant, but just 1 cup per day — a Grande PSL contains a whopping 150mg of caffeine.

Can I drink caramel frappe while pregnant?

Yes, you can drink a Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino while pregnant. In fact, you may be able to have a few caramel frappuccinos, as a Grande cup contains 33mg of caffeine. However, there is quite a lot of sugar in a frappuccino, so you may want to keep that in mind as part of your balanced pregnancy diet.

Is decaf coffee OK in pregnancy?

Yes, you can drink decaf coffee during pregnancy — in moderation. Too much coffee, whether it's caffeinated or not, can lead to dehydration and interfere with your body's ability to absorb certain nutrients.

But there are some things to be aware of. Firstly, decaf is not no-caf. It still contains some caffeine. And the tricky thing is, it can be hard to know how much caffeine your favorite drink includes.

The USDA’s basic guidelines tell us that for a six-ounce serving of decaf coffee, you can expect to consume about 1.79 milligrams of coffee. That’s not too bad if you look at the 200-milligram limit.

But here’s the thing, not all decaf is made equal. A 2006 study found that ready-made decaf drinks can contain anywhere between zero and 13.9 milligrams of caffeine for a sixteen-ounce serving. While that’s still not a dangerous amount, it’s not negligible.

Can decaf coffee cause birth differences?

The word from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine is that moderate caffeine consumption when you’re pregnant does not cause birth differences. But if you want to be extra careful, you may want to switch to decaf or cut out caffeine completely.

How much caffeine is there in…?

What’s 200mg of caffeine in real terms? According to the folks at the US Food and Drug Administration, an 8oz cup of takeaway coffee has 80 to 100mg of caffeine. So if you’re asking how much coffee can you drink when pregnant, the answer’s around 1-2 cups.

Bigger coffees will contain loads more, however. So, watch out. Meanwhile, here’s the caffeine content of some other products:

• Filter coffee: 140mg
• Decaf coffee: 15mg
• Can of Coca Cola: 30-40mg
• Cup of black tea: 30-50mg
• Can of energy drink: up to 250mg (generally best avoided when pregnant!)
• 50g chocolate: 25mg (dark) and 10mg (milk)

You’ll see that it’s not simply a big “no” to caffeine. 200mg daily gives you some room to play with. Yet, anything more than two cups of coffee during pregnancy is probably a bit too much.

So that’s worth bearing in mind — if you have a cup of coffee, a can of coke, some chocolate, and a black tea, that might exceed your recommended daily amount of caffeine while pregnant.

(Don’t worry — we’ve got some tips on how to go caffeine-free).

What happens if you drink coffee while pregnant?

When you’re pregnant, caffeine metabolizes more slowly, meaning it stays in your system for longer. Caffeine can also raise blood pressure, increase your heart rate, and make you pee more frequently, none of which is very helpful right now. And it can travel from you to your baby.

How does caffeine affect a fetus?

The possible problems with caffeine (and we stress possible, since they’re not known for sure) are two. First, it may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Second, too much caffeine can cause babies to have low birth weights. And that second issue may cause developmental issues throughout your babe’s life.

The trouble here is that mamas can hear this and go into a spin, cutting out every last trace of caffeine from their diet. Totally understandable. And absolutely fine, if you’d rather be safe than sorry.

Yet, the risks are really very low. Lots of studies have actually shown that the chance of a miscarriage from too much caffeine is tiny.

Meanwhile, you do need to drink really a lot of caffeine for it to affect your baby’s weight. We’re talking as much as 8 cups a day (and we hope you’re not doing that anyway!). The reason why healthcare providers recommend 200mg of caffeine a day is just to be on the safe side. But bear in mind that includes all caffeinated foods and drinks, like tea and chocolate

Does drinking coffee while pregnant make your baby hyper?

Sometimes, yes — if you’re drinking coffee when pregnant, you may notice that baby moves more often. It’s a stimulant and, while that’s really useful when it comes to getting going in the mornings, your baby may not love it as much. Their tiny bodies don’t have the enzymes to break it down yet.

But as for whether coffee during pregnancy will make your baby more hyper once they’re born, according to recent studies, the answer is no.

Can caffeine cause miscarriage in early pregnancy?

Well, the jury’s still out on whether drinking coffee during pregnancy will contribute to a pregnancy loss. A few studies have found that pregnant women who drink more than two coffees during pregnancy are more likely to lose their pregnancy in the first 7 weeks. However, other studies have found that low levels of caffeine likely won’t harm baby’s development.

According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, "moderate caffeine consumption (less than 200 mg per day) does not appear to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage or preterm birth. The relationship of caffeine to IUGR remains undetermined. A final conclusion cannot be made at this time as to whether there is a correlation between high caffeine intake and miscarriage.”

So, lowering your intake by switching to decaf may be a great option. But it’s still important to not overdo it, just in case. Or swap out your cup of joe for a comforting caffeine-free herbal tea.

And while we’re here, know that if you experience pregnancy loss, it’s definitely not in any way your fault. Having a miscarriage can be devastating. Know that your Peanut community is there for you. You don’t have to go through this alone.

What can I replace coffee with during pregnancy?

Limiting the amount of caffeine can start with swapping in caffeine-free alternatives to coffee. So here are a few suggestions of what to drink instead of coffee when pregnant. These can all perk you up — and help with any headaches you might feel from the withdrawals.

• Decaffeinated coffees: While they’re not technically caffeine-free alternatives to coffee, decaf coffee can quench your coffee craving.
• Matcha tea: Matcha tea is packed with antioxidants, but it also contains caffeine and concentrated green tea compounds that haven’t been well studied in pregnancy — and some animal studies suggest it could affect inflammation and metabolism. So while an occasional cup is probably fine, it’s worth limiting or skipping matcha until we know more.
• Herbal tea: There are so many delicious herbal teas out there that are safe to drink during pregnancy. Try a chamomile tea, rooibos tea, or peppermint tea to give you a boost.
• Decaf tea: A refined, elegant alternative to coffee during pregnancy.
• Green tea: There’s actually still caffeine in green tea, so while it can be a less-caffeinated option instead of coffee during pregnancy, it’s still a good idea to limit how much you’re drinking.
• Golden milk: Golden milk — that cozy blend of turmeric and warm milk — is generally safe during pregnancy in small, food-based amounts. But because high doses of turmeric (especially in supplement form) may impact hormones and even trigger contractions, it’s best to enjoy golden milk occasionally, not daily, and skip any super-concentrated versions.
• Water and fresh fruit (like hot water and lemon): Sure, hot water with fruit doesn’t taste the same as coffee during pregnancy, but it can help perk you up.
• Cacao: Cacao is generally safe during pregnancy in moderation — and some studies even suggest it could help lower the risk of preeclampsia. Just go easy on the super-concentrated stuff and stick to food-based amounts.
• Fruit smoothies: Get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals with a delicious fruit smoothie. You can mix and match different fruits to create your own unique flavor combinations.
• Sparkling water: If you're looking for something bubbly to replace your coffee, try some sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice or a slice of lemon.
• Milk: Milk is a great source of calcium and can be a delicious and comforting drink. You can drink it hot or cold, and even add some honey or cinnamon for extra flavor.
• Coconut water: Coconut water is a hydrating and refreshing drink that's rich in potassium and electrolytes. It's a great way to start your day or to stay hydrated during a workout.
• Mocktails: There are lots of tasty mocktails to try during pregnancy, some with some great benefits!

So, can you drink coffee while pregnant? Yes, indeed. But quitting the caffeine may in the end be worth it — if only to give you peace of mind.