The natural chemical caffeine is produced by plants and can be found in tea, coffee, sodas and cocoa. Green tea tends to have less caffeine than coffee, although women who drink it should still watch their overall caffeine intake. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant may want to limit how much caffeine they drink to protect the health of the unborn baby.
Pregnancy Concerns
When consumed in amounts over 200 mg a day, caffeine raised the risk of miscarriage by up to 25 percent, according to a 2008 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Other studies failed to find this association, however, so the full effect of caffeine on miscarriage rates awaits further study. Other potential concerns include worries about stillbirth and premature labor as a result of caffeine consumption, but these possible effects have not yet been sufficiently studied. High levels of caffeine, over about 500 mg a day, may also be linked to decreased fertility in women trying to get pregnant.
After Birth
Over 500 mg of caffeine a day during pregnancy can affect a newborn baby's breathing and heart rates, explains the March of Dimes. Babies born to mothers who consumed excessive caffeine during pregnancy also tend to get less sleep during the first few days of life than babies not exposed to caffeine in utero. There is conflicting evidence as to whether or not caffeine consumption during pregnancy contributes to a lower birth weight in the baby.
Caffeine in Tea
There are many types of green tea, and the variety is a factor in how much caffeine is present. The caffeine content in tealeaves ranges from 1.5 to 4.5 percent, according to The Fragrant Leaf website. In general, green tea contains between 8 and 36 mg of caffeine per cup. Larger tealeaves tend to have more caffeine. Soil chemistry, cultivation practices and the altitude where the tea was grown also affect caffeine content. The method of preparation may also be a factor. The hotter the brewing water is for tea, the more caffeine will be released from the tealeaves. A longer brewing time can also release more caffeine.
Recommendations
The March of Dimes recommends that caffeine consumption during pregnancy be limited to 200 mcg or less. One method of lowering caffeine content of your tea is to first steep the tea for 45 seconds in boiling water. Discard this first wash, which contains much of the caffeine from the tealeaves, then add more water to steep for the normal amount of time.
Considerations
Because green tea is fairly low in caffeine, one to two cups a day should be fine throughout pregnancy. Keep track of all possible sources of caffeine you consume, however. Sodas, hot cocoa, dark chocolate and coffee-flavored ice cream are all hidden sources that may push your daily total too high if you consume them in addition to your daily tea.
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