Iced Coffee While Pregnant – Is It Safe?

Congratulations on being pregnant and a coffee lover! Many expectant mothers ask this vital question about drinking iced coffee while pregnant or any coffee or caffeine related drink and the risk of miscarriage and if there is any relationship to caffeine consumption and drinking of coffee during pregnancy.

If you are in a rush – I’ll make it clear right now that coffee and caffeine is generally deemed to be safe when taken in moderation while pregnant. The ACOG – The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists say that it is safe if you consume a maximum of 200 milligrams of caffeine daily.

At this amount, it is said to have no notable side effects on your baby or yourself.

Pay attention to how much caffeine is in your coffee or tea and in other products such as energy drinks and chocolate.

Let’s crack on with this article which talks about the effects of iced coffee while pregnant and other coffee drinks while you are expecting.

Is Caffeine Safe During Pregnancy?

If you consume a high amount of caffeine while you are pregnant, you may be increasing your risk of a miscarriage or low birth weight. It is a wise move to limit your caffeine intake.

It is suggested that you limit your limit to 200 mg per day if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, is the safe limit. Obviously, the less caffeine, the better it is for your baby.  My own suggestion is to try to limit yourself to half this amount per day.

Caffeine is found in many foods and drinks, typically coffee, tea, chocolate and cola. It leads to sleeplessness, irritability and nervousness. Just putting this out there – if your baby is having difficulty sleeping, and you consume a high amount of caffeine and are breastfeeding.

Can I Drink Starbucks Iced Coffee While Pregnant?

Yes, a Starbucks Iced Coffee (Grande) contains 165 mg of caffeine, and thus it can be deemed to be safe to have one cup of coffee of this type from Starbucks as long as it does not push you over the 200 mg daily limit.

It is, without a doubt, a good idea to limit your intake and cut back on caffeine while pregnant.

What Happens If You Drink Too Much Caffeine While Pregnant?

There is not a lot known about the effects of caffeine during pregnancy and, thus, it is best to limit your intake to the 200 mg limit, or as I suggest, aim for half that.

Caffeine raises your blood pressure, increases your heart rate and makes you urinate more, as well as potentially making you feel jittery.

During pregnancy, women tend to take longer to clear the caffeine from their system and feel a little light headed.

It has been claimed that caffeine may cause a low birth weight, miscarriage, preterm birth or still birth. There are some studies that support these claims and peer reviewed studies that say there is no such cause of concern.

The jury is still out on that one. The best bet is to limit your food and drinks that contain caffeine and stick to the suggested limit of 200 mg daily, which is 1 12 ounce (360ml) or 1 and a half cups of coffee per day.

Be sure to limit your coffee during pregnancy.

Does The Trimester Matter?

I’m sure you wonder if the trimester matters or has a greater or lesser effect in the first, second, or third trimester.

Studies suggest that the effect of caffeine is greater during the first trimester than in the second or third trimesters.

Of the studies I read, the risk of miscarriage is notably greater in your first and second trimesters and greater consumption could elevate the risk. It is suggested that there is a strong association with higher caffeine intake during your first trimester, with a risk of stillbirth or a late miscarriage.

This is why I suggest that you limit your caffeine intake to within the limits suggested or better still, half that amount. One cup of coffee daily should be your safe limit. That is, one cup of regular coffee, not a strong coffee such as a cold brew or French press coffee.

Keep your caffeine consumption to the 200 mg limit.

Read: How to make iced coffee without a coffee maker.

Coffee And Pregnancy First Trimester

For many years, obstetricians thought that caffeine in moderate amounts increased your risk of miscarriage during the first trimester. As a study in 2008 indicates that 2 cups of coffee per day could double your risk of miscarriage.

Further, studies in 2010 indicate that one caffeinated soft drink or one caffeinated coffee or tea per day does not increase your risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.

It is strongly suggested to limit your total caffeine intake to 200 mg daily.

Coffee In Pregnancy Second Trimester

There is a study that shows reducing your caffeine habit to 182 mg daily during your second trimester had no effect on the birth weight or period of gestation.

This further confirms the above set suggestion of limiting to 200 mg daily caffeine intake and limiting the amount of coffee during pregnancy.

Coffee On Pregnancy Third Trimester

Other experts from a 2003 study indicate limiting your caffeine content per day to 150 mg to 200 mg. A study by the Norwegian University of Science And Technology found a correlation between caffeine intake during the third trimester and doubled the risk of low birth weight. The average consumption of caffeine was 280 mg daily.

This further solidifies the safe limit of 200 mg daily and my suggestion of aiming for half that amount.

How Much Coffee Is 200mg Of Caffeine?

200 milligrams of caffeine is approximately 2 shots of espresso or one double espresso coffee.

Here is a brief list of the amounts of caffeine in common coffee drinks and other similar consumables with caffeine:

• 2 shots of espresso: 200 mg
• 1 8 ounce (240ml) regular cup of instant coffee: 60 mg
• I 8 ounce cup of tea: 30 mg
• 1 8 ounce cup of decaffeinated coffee or instant decaf coffee: 15 mg.
• 1  8 ounce mug of French press (aka plunger) coffee: 80 mg.
• 250ml can of Red Bull or other energy drink: 80 mg
• 375 ml can of Coca-Cola: 50 mg.
• 100g bar or portion of milk chocolate: 20 mg.
• Chocolate milk :15 mg
• Coffee Ice cream or coffee flavored yoghurt: 2 mg.
• Dark chocolate 100g: 30 mg.
• Macchiato: 85 mg
• Latte: 175 mg
• Cappuccino: 175 mg

Decaffeinated varieties contain little or no caffeine, typically 15 mg to 30 mg depending on which brand. If you are a fan of coffee from chain outlets, ask your favorite coffee chain by email or in person what the caffeine content of their drinks are.

If you must have a morning cup of coffee, look at the lower content ones such as a macchiato or espresso (single shot) and aim to reduce your coffee consumption. If you are a proper coffee fan and simply cannot go without the pleasurable taste of coffee, try alternating days with a decaffeinated coffee and sticking to an 8 ounce coffee cup of the weaker coffees.

Energy drinks should be definitely avoided due to containing other ingredients that are not recommended for pregnant ladies as well as caffeine.

For the same reason, keep an eye on flu and cold remedies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Iced Coffee While Pregnant

Can Pregnant Women Drink Coffee?

It is not necessary for you to completely ditch your caffeine habit when you are pregnant. You can go completely caffeine free is you so wish, but a little bit of caffeine is deemed to be ok as long as you stick to the 200 mg limitation or better still, half that amount.

200 mg per day is half the adult RDA of 400 mg and is considered as the maternal caffeine consumption limit.

How Bad Coffee Is For Pregnancy?

While I am not a medic, nor claim to be, I am a coffee geek that loves coffee and wishes to keep his readers and future readers safe. I’ve read dozens of studies, all peer reviewed, that indicate coffee is safe when you limit it to 200 mg daily. This is also the limit if you are breastfeeding.

This limits you to one or two cups of low caffeine coffee.

How Does Caffeine Affect A Fetus?

There are studies that indicate caffeine may augment the risk of premature birth, reduced fertility, low birth weight and preterm delivery in animal studies as well as other reproductive issues and an increased miscarriage risk.

As I mentioned earlier in this article, there are studies that support both arguments, hence why I encourage you to stick to the limits and be wise and consume half as much.

Can You Drink Coffee In Second Trimester?

Yes,

but be careful of specialty coffee drinks and drip coffee as these tend to be high in caffeine. While you can drink coffee during the second trimester and consume caffeine, there is the potential risks that include the risk for pregnancy loss. Since nothing, from what I have come across, is not absolute by any means I advise you to practice caution.

What Can I Replace Coffee With While Pregnant?

Tea is a great alternative to coffee as it is high in antioxidants and low in caffeine. The Coffee To Tea ratio in terms of caffeine is 2:1. By this, I mean there is half as much caffeine in tea as there is coffee.

You can also consider caffeine free tea or decaffeinated coffee.

How Many Iced coffees Can I have While Pregnant?

It is not a matter of how many cups of iced coffee you can have while you are pregnant; it is a matter of your total caffeine intake per day and sticking to the 200 mg of caffeine per day as set by the ACOG, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to reduce the possibility of damaging your baby, and reducing the risk of miscarriage.

Total caffeine includes all forms of caffeine from energy drinks to coffee (all coffee drinks) tea and chocolate. If you need that stimulation and energy, talk to your doctor about natural alternatives like hydrogenated water and ozone water.

Is It OK To Drink Iced Coffee While Pregnant?

Yesm as long as you enjoy it in moderation and don’t go over the ACOG (American College Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists recommendation of consuming no more than 200 mg of caffeine per day.

If you particularly enjoy coffee and its flavor, consider decaffeinated coffee as an option.

Is It Okay To Drink McDonalds Iced Coffee While Pregnant?

Yes, opt for the smallest drink size available as the amount of caffeine in it is 133 mg, which is less than the 200 mg daily limit.

Frappé-Ing It All Up – Iced Coffee Coffee While Pregnant?

It is safe for you to consume caffeine and to drink iced coffee while pregnant. There are numerous studies that show an association between caffeine intake and negative effects on your pregnancy.

However,

there are no 100% conclusive studies in either direction that say you should absolutely not drink coffee while pregnant. It is my advice and suggestion that you stick to the limit of 200 mg per day and, better still, half that amount.

The information in this article is not to be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your MD or a medical professional for advice on this matter.

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location