Expectant mothers ask the doctor if pregnant women can drink coffee. The substance included in the drink remains in the blood for 7 hours, and in patients at 37-38 weeks of pregnancy, its half-life is 14 hours. Pregnant women experience negative effects on the body after consuming high doses of caffeine.
The effect of coffee on the body of a pregnant woman
Coffee in small quantities can be consumed by a healthy woman throughout pregnancy. In the first trimester, the drink becomes the only fairly safe and effective way to cope with the negative symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia and surges in physical blood pressure indicators.
When consumed in moderation, the drink helps replenish the body's need for riboflavin, phosphorus and vitamin D, as well as amino acids, potassium, sodium and nicotinic acid.
The high content of alkaloids in the drink provides a quick burst of energy and also activates metabolism, helping to effectively remove excess fluid accumulated in the body from the body.
The undoubted benefits of coffee drinks are that they:
- improve mood and provide a surge of energy;
- promote concentration and increase performance;
- stimulate intestinal motility;
- fight the negative symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- prevent the appearance of cancer, heart and vascular diseases.
In addition to various microelements, coffee beans also contain caffeine, the amount of which is determined by the strength of the drink and can negatively affect the condition of a young mother and her baby, causing increased excitability or insomnia.
Benefits and harms
If expectant mothers who suffer from headaches feel well and have no problems with pregnancy, experts recommend drinking 1 cup of weak, freshly brewed coffee after breakfast.
In addition to the invigorating effect, the caffeine-containing drink will also help effectively prevent the appearance of edema and remove fluid from the body, which is especially important when protein appears in the urine of a pregnant woman, indicating the onset of gestosis.
In addition to its beneficial qualities, regular consumption of coffee in large quantities can provoke:
- removal of calcium and phosphorus reserves from the body, leading to bone tissue damage in the child;
- the birth of a baby with very low weight;
- narrowing of the vascular wall of the placenta, leading to oxygen starvation of the embryo;
- increased baby's heart rate;
- the appearance of aggressiveness and nervousness in a young mother, accompanied by insomnia;
- spontaneous termination of pregnancy if a woman suffers from hypertonicity of the uterine cavity.
Coffee during pregnancy can bring both benefits and harm.
Not all pregnant women experience a craving for coffee. Girls who are completely indifferent to the drink before conception do not notice changes in their condition. In some cases, intolerance to the coffee smell was even noticed, which accompanied the development of toxicosis.
Among “coffee lovers,” one can often observe problems with conception caused by high levels of caffeine in the blood. That is why gynecologists advise women who want to become pregnant to temporarily completely exclude this product from their diet.
Danger is also caused by cases when a woman, accustomed to drinking large quantities of coffee, while expecting a baby, experiences an irresistible craving for the drink, comparable to drug addiction.
Since, when caffeine enters the bloodstream, it quite quickly provokes the production of dopamine, the joy hormone responsible for the appearance of energy and activity, which is why a coffee-dependent person literally becomes a “slave” of new portions of the drink, requiring him to consume it at least once every 4-6 hours.
This condition is fraught with increased heartbeat not only in the young mother, but also in her baby, and also provokes severe excitability, disruption of the blood circulation and oxygen starvation of the child.
Pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia should not drink coffee. Since this condition is often accompanied by a loss of strength and drowsiness, young mothers try to replenish energy reserves with the help of coffee beans, thereby severely narrowing the vascular cells of the placenta and provoking spontaneous death of the embryo.
A little about legends
Dairy products should be included in the diet once a day, as they provide the body with calcium. One of the legends about healthy nutrition says that the most important thing in this group is milk, which is recommended to be drunk then the mother will have a lot of breast milk for the baby.
In fact, by the end of the 37th week of pregnancy, the doctor usually introduces restrictions on the intake of various types of liquids, which includes milk. In order to provide the body with the necessary calcium, it is recommended to pay attention to cottage cheese or not very salty cheese, where there is much more of this microelement than in milk.
Nutrition during pregnancy
Is it possible to drink coffee during pregnancy?
In Soviet medicine, coffee was considered a controversial product, completely prohibited for consumption during pregnancy along with alcohol. Over time, doctors' opinions have changed. Now experts advise women to significantly limit the consumption of their favorite drink, but not to give it up completely.
In the first trimester
Coffee during pregnancy (the 1st trimester is the most important for the further development of the baby) is considered a rather risky drink that can provoke negative consequences for both the young mother and the rapidly developing fetus.
Since all the vital organs and systems of the baby develop for the first 3 months after conception, gynecologists advise young mothers to limit their coffee consumption to 1 cup, drunk every 2-3 days.
It is also recommended to avoid drinking coffee beans until the 2nd trimester if the young mother:
- suffers from hypertension;
- characterized by poor condition of blood vessels or their obstruction;
- rarely eats cottage cheese, sour cream and other dairy and fermented milk products;
- suffers from brittle teeth;
- often experienced headaches and migraines before pregnancy;
- has a history of gastritis, ulcers, problems with the stomach and pancreas;
- takes diuretics as prescribed by a doctor.
It is also forbidden to drink coffee during exacerbation of toxicosis.
In addition to reducing the amount of coffee, you are allowed to drink it only in the morning and after meals. It’s also a good idea to add additional milk or cream to the cup, which can replenish calcium reserves in a woman’s body.
For young mothers with low blood pressure, drinking coffee drinks during pregnancy is not only possible, but even beneficial , since this is the way they will be able to cope with unpleasant vegetative symptoms.
Such women, suffering from chronic fatigue, are able to cheer up and get in shape with a small amount of caffeine.
Second trimester
Coffee during pregnancy (trimester 2 allows a woman to make significant concessions in behavior and diet) is allowed in small quantities. It is believed that by this moment the main systems and organs of the child are fully formed, and the mother herself enters the safest period of gestation.
Doctors agree that in the absence of any contraindications in the 2nd trimester of gestation, the expectant mother can allow herself to consume 1 cup of brewed ground coffee beans per day, strictly after breakfast. Additionally, it is recommended to add milk or cream to this drink.
Despite the statements of experts that drinking coffee between 4-6 months of pregnancy is allowed, a woman should still not get carried away with her favorite drinks, due to the danger:
- completely remove from the body the microelements necessary for the formation of healthy bone and dental tissue for both mother and baby;
- provoke the development of fetal hypoxia caused by vasoconstriction and insufficient oxygen supply.
Third semester
Coffee during pregnancy (trimester 3 is considered the most dangerous for consuming caffeine-containing drinks) is completely prohibited in the last 3 months of gestation.
The danger of the stimulating effect of caffeine during this period lies in the overly violent reaction of the fetal neurosystem structures to it, provoking a narrowing of blood vessels and oxygen starvation of the child.
The diuretic property of coffee can also become dangerous, which can help in the fight against edema in the 2nd trimester, and in the period from the 7th to the 9th month provoke the development of dehydration, leading to severe dehydration and the appearance of convulsions in the child.
Contraindications
It is forbidden to drink coffee if you have the following pathologies:
- gestosis;
- hypertension;
- lack of appetite;
- insomnia;
- tachycardia;
- diseases of the digestive organs;
- anemia;
- toxicosis;
- fetoplacental insufficiency.
In all other cases, consultation with a doctor is required. Remember, if you have the listed diseases, even weak coffee can cause a severe deterioration in your health.
What type of coffee is best to choose during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, experts strongly recommend that expectant mothers drink only natural bean coffee that does not contain any harmful additives. When choosing a drink for yourself, you should also familiarize yourself with the general characteristics of the products presented in stores:
Natural coffe
Whole and ground Arabica beans of varying degrees of roasting are available for sale. It is this indicator that influences the strength of the finished coffee drink.
Since the duration of roasting increases the volume of alkaloids that can have a negative impact on the condition of the unborn baby, expectant mothers are advised to opt for lightly roasted coarsely ground coffee beans, which have a low strength and rich taste.
Natural coffee also differs by variety:
- Robusta contains a large amount of caffeine and alkaloids, but it does not have a rich taste.
- Arabica, which is considered less strong but has a rich aroma, contains a smaller amount of alkaloids, which makes it acceptable for inclusion in the diet of young mothers.
Decaffeinated coffee
Commercially available decaffeinated coffee is not only practically tasteless, but is also saturated with dangerous microelements that are used to reduce the alkaloid content in it.
In fact, decaffeinated beans are simply a poorly roasted product that contains a low percentage of alkaloids, but is saturated with a large number of various solvents that can have a negative impact on the health of both the mother and her unborn baby.
Instant coffee and 3 in 1
Coffee products containing no more than 25% of natural beans are considered undesirable for use during pregnancy due to the large number of synthetic additives present in their composition.
Regular instant coffee is made from robusta beans rich in alkaloids, and the caffeine content in it can be several times higher than the concentration of natural, ground Arabica.
As for the 3 in 1 coffee drink, in addition to ground robusta, it also contains milk powder and a large amount of sugar, as well as preservatives, dyes and vegetable fats that can negatively affect the developing fetus.
Green coffee
Raw, unroasted coffee beans, freed from husks through specific processing, contain a small amount of caffeine and do not have any contraindications for inclusion in the diet of pregnant women.
Studies conducted by experts have found that the product does not have a positive effect on the body of the expectant mother, and also contains caffeine, as a result of which gynecologists recommend limiting the consumption of green coffee during pregnancy to 1 cup, drunk in the morning strictly after meals, and also refrain from using the product:
- with glaucoma due to the risk of increased intraocular pressure;
- for intestinal problems that can worsen due to the laxative effect of the product;
- with increased nervous excitability and sleep problems.
Weak coffee
A weakly brewed coffee drink is allowed to be consumed in the first and second trimester of pregnancy in the amount of 1 cup, drunk after breakfast. This product helps lift your mood and cope with drowsiness, and also effectively fights swelling, but contains a small amount of caffeine.
With milk
Drinking coffee with milk during pregnancy is allowed for 1-2 semesters. Moreover, doctors strongly advise expectant mothers to add milk or cream to their favorite drink, which helps restore calcium and fluoride reserves in the body that are washed out due to the diuretic effect of caffeine. You can drink coffee with milk no more than once a day after breakfast.
In which trimester is it better to abstain from aromatic drink?
You can drink coffee during pregnancy, especially from weeks 1 to 12, in moderation, but it is better to avoid the drink altogether. It is dangerous for women with a history of cardiovascular pathology; their risk of having a child with low body weight increases. The 1st trimester can result in a miscarriage if you drink an excessive amount of an invigorating drink. In addition, a woman's risk of fractures increases when she drinks more than 4 cups of drink per day.
In the first trimester, a pregnant woman is often bothered by heartburn, which is a consequence of including coffee in the daily diet. Heartburn is often a symptom of GERD and is worsened by excessive consumption of latte or cappuccino. In 52% of pregnant women, heartburn appears for the first time in the first 12 weeks.
In the second trimester, 24% of expectant mothers suffer from an unpleasant symptom, and only 9% of women experience stomach discomfort at the end of pregnancy.
In the second trimester, it is not recommended to drink an invigorating drink, as complications of GERD may occur:
- ulcer;
- bleeding.
In the first trimester, it is dangerous to take medications without a doctor’s prescription, and caffeine abuse while using medications can lead to congenital deformities in the fetus.
With CKD in the 3rd trimester, a woman is at high risk of developing hypertension and preeclampsia. Drinking a stimulant drink causes her condition to worsen.
Coffee is not included in medical nutrition. If a woman drinks a drink, metabolic acidosis occurs and the amount of nitrogen in the blood serum increases.
Espresso with chronic renal failure in the third trimester causes the development of hyperglycemia and increases the amount of calcium ions in the blood serum. If stage 3-4 chronic renal failure develops, coffee is completely excluded from the pregnant woman’s diet. The drink is not recommended in the II-III trimesters, as it contributes to the formation of iron deficiency, which is 5.6-6 mg/day.
Consumption of macchiato by a pregnant woman suffering from severe anemia leads to the development of hypoxia in the fetus, dystrophic disorders in the heart muscle, arrhythmia and circulatory failure.
Can I drink cappuccino, americano or latte?
Women are allowed to drink cappuccino, macchiato and latte during pregnancy. Experts advise purchasing such drinks only in those coffee shops where you can choose your own coffee beans, asking that they use Arabica beans with a lower caffeine content.
You should also choose a drink without syrup and other additives, since such drinks are high in calories and can negatively affect the baby’s health.
Drinking cappuccino, latte and macchiato is allowed no more than 2-3 cups a day and only after meals. Otherwise, drinking the drink can cause heartburn in a pregnant woman. When making your own products, you should use a coffee machine that filters out coffee particles that irritate the gastrointestinal tract of the expectant mother.
It should also be remembered that drinking coffee drinks:
- increases urination, which is already quite intense during pregnancy;
- may cause sleep problems due to the high sensitivity of the expectant mother’s body;
- contains phenols that reduce iron absorption and can cause the development of iron deficiency anemia;
- As pregnancy progresses, the concentration of caffeine in the body increases, which can cause the development of fetal gestosis.
Digestibility of nutrients
During the period of bearing a child, the expectant mother needs increased doses of iron: for herself and for the baby. If this element is not enough in the body, anemia occurs. For prevention, doctors prescribe mineral complexes.
However, coffee significantly impairs the absorption of iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. That is, coffee abuse negates all the benefits of mineral supplements. The expectant mother thinks that she fully provides herself and the baby with macro- and microelements, but they are simply not absorbed.
What can be replaced
Domestic experts strongly recommend replacing coffee during pregnancy (the 1st and 2nd trimesters are considered relatively safe for caffeine consumption) with more analogues that help “deceive the body” and not harm the baby’s health.
Among the popular and safe substitutes for coffee drink are:
| Kurzeme | A mixture of ground and roasted chicory with rye, oats or wheat. Quite often, this drink is used in perinatal centers to increase the body’s defenses, as well as improve the functioning of the kidneys and cardiovascular system. Having a tart taste and pleasant aroma, Kurzeme goes well with milk, chocolate and juice |
| Barley drink | It is completely different in taste from coffee, but has a pleasant aroma and taste, and also does not contain caffeine, which is dangerous to the health of the unborn baby. A drink is prepared from roasted barley grains, similar to Arabica, and mixed with hot water or milk. |
| Chicory | The simplest and most popular coffee substitute, which has a taste and aroma similar to Arabica. In addition to its excellent tonic and strengthening effect, this drink can reduce sugar levels and increase the hemoglobin of a pregnant woman, as well as have a sedative effect. Every day, the expectant mother is allowed to drink up to 4 cups of chicory mixed with milk and sugar. |
| Black and green tea | Contains a small amount of caffeine and also helps provide the body with the antioxidants it needs. |
| Cocoa with milk | A product that is useful during pregnancy and has a pleasant chocolate taste and aroma. This drink, which goes well with hot milk, not only invigorates, but also saturates the body with iron, calcium and folic acid, which are necessary for the full formation of the embryo. |
Coffee during pregnancy is a good way to cope with low blood pressure and negative vegetative-vascular symptoms that often bother women when carrying a baby.
For a long time considered an unacceptable product in obstetrics due to the large amount of caffeine that can provoke the development of oxygen starvation, the drink in recent years, under the influence of European scientists, was allowed into the diet of expectant mothers in the first and second trimesters in the absence of contraindications and good health of both the mother and her baby.
