Green tea is a non-herbal tea that is sold nationwide. You can purchase it already prepared in convenience stores, or you can make your own green tea at home. While you may like to drink green tea, it is best to avoid it during pregnancy, advises the American Pregnancy Association, or APA.
Caffeine and Diuretic Effects
Green tea contains caffeine, which is not recommended during pregnancy, according to the APA. Caffeine is a diuretic, which affects the amount of water in your body. Hydration is especially important during pregnancy. You need plenty of fluid during pregnancy. Up to 10 lbs. of the weight you gain during pregnancy is accounted for in additional fluids, such as amniotic fluid and increased blood volume. Losing too much water could complicate your pregnancy and cause an imbalance in your electrolytes.
Caffeine and the Placenta
The placenta is the organ that becomes attached to the uterus during pregnancy. The umbilical cord connects the baby to the placenta. The placenta produces needed hormones during pregnancy, such as human chorionic gonadotropin, estrogen and progesterone. The placenta also delivers nutrients from your blood to your baby's blood. Caffeine is one of many substances that your baby cannot metabolize, or use. The effects of caffeine during embryonic growth are still being studied. The APA recommends cutting back or completely eliminating caffeine from your diet during pregnancy.
Caffeine and Green Tea
The amount of caffeine found in green tea varies. Factors such as the size and type of the leaf and how long the tea was brewed can influence how much caffeine is in the tea. Even decaffeinated teas still contain small amounts of caffeine.
Considerations
Green tea is used and recommended by some herbalists and midwives for its beneficial antioxidants. Ask your healthcare provider if green tea is safe to consume during your pregnancy. You may make your own teas at home by adding orange peels, pears or apples when brewing decaffeinated tea on your stove. Do not attempt to brew any type of tea from a plant unless you specifically know what the plant is and whether or not it is safe to consume during pregnancy.
References
- American Pregnancy Association; Drinking Herbal Teas During Pregnancy; October 2008
- Drugs.com; Green Tea Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings; May 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Pregnancy Weight Gain: What's Healthy?; Mayo Clinic Staff; May 2009
- American Pregnancy Association; The Fetal Life-Support System: Placenta, Umbilical Cord and Amniotic Sac; July 2007
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