Although a small amount of caffeine during pregnancy is usually considered safe, getting too much caffeine by drinking teas or other beverages may cause undesirable effects for both the expecting mother and her unborn baby. Pregnant women who are concerned about the caffeine in their favorite teas should consult a doctor for advice.
Amount
An average cup of brewed tea contains approximately 47mg of caffeine, while an average cup of instant tea contains approximately 26mg of caffeine, according to the March of Dimes website. The exact amount of caffeine in a cup of tea, however, varies depending on a number of factors. The oxidation time of the tea leaf, the amount of brewing time, the size of the tea leaf and the type of tea leaf all may influence the exact amount of caffeine in a cup of tea.
Herbal Teas
Some pregnant women who are trying to limit their caffeine intake turn to herbal teas. While many of these herbal teas are safe during pregnancy, some are not. Some herbal teas, such as yerba mate tea, can contain as much caffeine as coffee. Others may potentially stimulate the uterus or induce miscarriage, according to the medical advisory board of BabyCenter.com. Pregnant women should consult a doctor before drinking herbal tea.
Effects
Pregnant women may be more sensitive to the caffeine in tea and other beverages and foods, says the March of Dimes. The caffeine in tea may increase blood pressure, heart rate and urination. It also may cause some pregnant women to feel jittery or experience gastrointestinal upset or insomnia. Caffeine crosses the placenta and may produce the same effects in the unborn baby that it does in the pregnant woman. In addition, the unborn baby is not able to metabolize the caffeine like an adult can, according to the American Pregnancy Association, so the effects on the baby may be more intense.
Misconceptions
Caffeine does not affect every pregnant woman in the same way. Factors such as age, body mass, stress level and overall health may play a role in how a pregnant woman's body reacts to caffeine. Pregnant women who experience unpleasant or bothersome side effects from caffeine should reduce their intake or avoid it completely, even if their consumption was under the recommended limit for the average pregnant woman.
Safety
Pregnant women need to be conscientious about their caffeine intake. Since large amounts of caffeine may increase the risk of miscarriage or pregnancy complications in some cases, pregnant women should get no more than 200mg of caffeine a day, suggests the March of Dimes. This means that, unless she is drinking decaffeinated teas, a pregnant woman should refrain from drinking more than two or three cups of tea a day and should have even less if she consumes caffeine in other beverages or foods.
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