Green tea can contain caffeine, which pregnant women should try to avoid, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The APA reports that herbal teas can provide some benefits, such as providing antioxidants and various nutrients, but the Food and Drug Administration advises pregnant women to use caution with herbal teas since there are limited studies in regard to the effects of herbal tea on unborn babies.
Caffeine Content
Green tea does contain caffeine. Green tea is considered a non-herbal tea, according to the American Pregnancy Association, and non-herbal teas go through an oxidation process. The longer a tea goes through the oxidation period, the more caffeine it contains. An average cup of non-herbal tea, such as green tea, contains around 40 to 50 mg. of caffeine. The APA explains that even decaffeinated teas still contain some caffeine, usually about 0.4 mg.
Caffeine and the Fetus
Caffeine can penetrate the placenta and travel to your unborn baby, according to the American Pregnancy Association. A fetus cannot tolerate caffeine as an adult would, and the effects of caffeine on a fetus can be severe. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy can stunt the growth of the fetus during any trimester. There is still great controversy and ongoing research as to how much --- if any --- caffeine is safe for pregnant mothers to consume. The AJCN is still investing whether or not caffeine consumption actually has an adverse affect on skeletal growth of the fetus.
Caffeine and You
Caffeine can affect you whether you're pregnant or not. Your body may become more sensitive to caffeine during pregnancy as your blood volume increases as well as your heart rate, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This means all of your body's circulatory processes speed up, thus increasing the rate at which caffeine passes through your system. Caffeine traveling through your system at a faster speed than you're used to while you're pregnant can cause you to experience panic, anxiety and nervousness. Now imagine your unborn baby who cannot tolerate caffeine and how this affects her circulatory system.
Expert Insight
Before you consume green tea, or any other substance that contains caffeine, talk to your doctor or midwife. Ask him how much caffeine may be safe, or tolerable, for your pregnancy. If you really enjoy drinking green tea, ask your health care provider if decaffeinated green tea is O.K. since it still contains a small amount of caffeine.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Pregnancy Precautions: Drinking Herbal Teas During Pregnancy; October 2008
- KidsHealth: Pregnancy Precautions: FAQs; February 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea; September 2010
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:" Maternal Caffeine Intake from Coffee and Tea, Fetal Growth, and the Risks of Adverse Birth Outcomes: The Generation R Study; March 2010
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:" Changes in Basal Metabolic Rate During Pregnancy in Relation to Changes.....; October 2004
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