Do you have a caffeine addiction? Some women need a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverages in the morning to stay alert and increase motivation to work. A dependence on caffeine is just as a tolerance to other drugs or alcohol. After a while, you may require more and more to produce the same effects of alertness and boost your mood. Caffeinated beverages are relatively safe, non-harmful to most people except pregnant women.

When you are expecting, you develop a new organ called placenta which plays a key role to transfer nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. Although placenta limits the transfer of some nutrients, caffeine and alcohol can cross the placenta and pass to the fetus. It means that the natural stimulant which may stimulate the brain and central nervous system and increase heart rate can directly affect your unborn baby. Hence, please take caffeine in moderation.

How much should I take a day?

All pregnant mums need to limit intake of caffeine to 200 mg every day. Bear in mind only 200 mg.

Caffeine can be found not only in coffee, but also in

✔️ Tea

✔️ Chocolate

✔️ Energy drink

✔️ Some cough and flu medicine

✔️ Soft drinks like cola

How to know the amount of caffeine in food or drink? Belows are information sharing from Dr Muhammad Izzat, a OB-GYN doctor:

✔️ 1 cup of instant coffee: 100 mg

✔️ 1 cup of filter coffee: 140 mg

✔️ 1 cup of Tea: 75 mg

✔️ 1 can of Coca Cola (375g): 40 mg

✔️ 1 Tin Energy Drink (250 ml): can be available up to 80 mg

✔️ 1 Bar Plain Chocolate (50 GM): maybe less 25 mg

✔️ 1 Bar Milk Chocolate (50 GM): maybe less 10 mg

So if 200 mg caffeine a day, then a pregnant mom can only enjoy less than in a day:

? 2 cup of tea and 1 can of coca cola OR

? 1 cup of instant coffee and 1 Tin (250 ml) energy drink OR

? 2 cup of instant coffee

What is the cause of caffeine?

Excessive caffeine intake during pregnancy can harm your baby - it increases the risk of miscarriage before week 20 of pregnancy or have baby with low birth weight. You may wonder why caffeine can harm my growing baby since it is okay for you. Your baby is still developing the organ (especially the kidneys) and he/she may not be able to metabolize the caffeine.

Pregnant mothers are advised to avoid caffeine intake in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. After 12 weeks of pregnancy, limit caffeine intake up to 200 mg every day if you can't live without a drink. If you drink or eat more than the recommended amount of caffeine occasionally, don’t worry. What is the solution? It is better to replace these caffeinated drinks with fruit juice or other decaffeinated drinks. Also, please consult your doctor before taking any medicine as it may contain caffeine too.